Menagerie Hill Ranch

Ever heard an alpaca hum? 🎶 It’s their way of chatting, comforting friends, or just saying, “Hey, what’s up?” Every hum tells a story, and our herd has plenty to say. 🦙💬 #AlpacaTalk #FarmLife

This is normal male behavior. But it's important to monitor for injury.

This. This is why boundary-setting in alpaca farming matters. Alpacas are cute. Alpacas are curious. But let’s be honest: Alpacas are not cuddly - and they are absolutely not kind or gentle with one another. This is normal adult male behaviour (neutered or not!) and it happens daily. Don’t be fooled, it happens with females too- although generally not to this extent. When young alpacas are over handled, treated like a pet or toy; when inexperienced but well meaning folks try to “train” them to be “friendly”… what the animal learns is that people are members of the herd. So when alpacas mature, they will treat people as members of the herd… They will spit unprovoked. They will push you around They will charge and rear at you They will generally take every opportunity to intimidate you… and the boys, will try to harm you. And they are opportunists. They will exploit every vulnerability… All of this is normal behaviour … when directed at another alpaca. But when it’s directed towards a human… it’s Aberrant Behaviour. It’s dangerous… and more often than not, those animals will end up being euthanized prematurely because they become too unsafe to provide them even basic care. I’m passionate about this as I’ve seen it happen too many times (even on my own farm. Read about Wrigley in my blog). And, I had too many conversations this weekend with folks who wanted me to reassure them that handling and playing with babies was the way to create a healthy happy, lifelong, companions. It is not. Boundaries matter. To keep you safe, and to ensure they live long, healthy, well-adjusted lives. #greengablealpacas #boundaries #aberrantbehavior #alpacacare

Normal male behavior. But it's important to monitor for injury.

This. This is why boundary-setting in alpaca farming matters. Alpacas are cute. Alpacas are curious. But let’s be honest: Alpacas are not cuddly - and they are absolutely not kind or gentle with one another. This is normal adult male behaviour (neutered or not!) and it happens daily. Don’t be fooled, it happens with females too- although generally not to this extent. When young alpacas are over handled, treated like a pet or toy; when inexperienced but well meaning folks try to “train” them to be “friendly”… what the animal learns is that people are members of the herd. So when alpacas mature, they will treat people as members of the herd… They will spit unprovoked. They will push you around They will charge and rear at you They will generally take every opportunity to intimidate you… and the boys, will try to harm you. And they are opportunists. They will exploit every vulnerability… All of this is normal behaviour … when directed at another alpaca. But when it’s directed towards a human… it’s Aberrant Behaviour. It’s dangerous… and more often than not, those animals will end up being euthanized prematurely because they become too unsafe to provide them even basic care. I’m passionate about this as I’ve seen it happen too many times (even on my own farm. Read about Wrigley in my blog). And, I had too many conversations this weekend with folks who wanted me to reassure them that handling and playing with babies was the way to create a healthy happy, lifelong, companions. It is not. Boundaries matter. To keep you safe, and to ensure they live long, healthy, well-adjusted lives. #greengablealpacas #boundaries #aberrantbehavior #alpacacare

One of our tour groups this weekend was a young couple and her parents. He secretley planned to propose and texted me for assitance while she was feeeding some boys. Near the end of the tour, we gathered in a catch pen with some youngsters so they could get up close and personal. After some preliminary paca pix, the parents and I quietly exited, and left them to the proposal... with the youngsters looking on. It was so charming... and she said YES!

Check out the cute video made by Visit Vacaville for this year's National Alpaca Farm Days. Enjoy!

🦙 Alpaca your bags for National Alpaca Farm Days @ Menagerie Hill Ranch 📍 4071 Norman Ct, Vacaville, CA 🗓️ Sept 27–28 | 10 AM–3 PM 🔗 More info? Link in bio! #Alpaca #AlpacaFarm #AlpacaDays #Crias #Vacaville #AlpacaLove #VisitVacaville #FarmDays #AlpacaLife #Vacaville #FarmLife #alpacasofinstagram #alpacalife #alpacaworld #alpacagram #llama

Great post from Visit Vacaville about this year's National Alpaca Farm Days!

Are you ready for A-L-P-A-C-A-AWESOME at Menagerie Hill Ranch’s 16th Annual National Alpaca Farm Days celebration, September 27–28! Come hang out with their curious, cuddly creatures, watch crias (baby alpacas) bounce around, snap an alpaca selfie for the gram, enjoy live spinning demos, and shop all things alpaca. Bring your picnic, your camera, and your sense of adventure—it’s fun, FREE, and totally unforgettable! 🦙 Menagerie Hill Ranch - 4071 Norman Court, Vacaville, CA 95688 🗓️ September 27–28 - Saturday & Sunday 10 AM to 3 PM For more info see link in bio. #Alpaca #AlpacaFarm #AlpacaDays #Crias #Vacaville #AlpacaLove #VisitVacaville #FarmDays #AlpacaLife #Vacaville #FarmLife #alpacasofinstagram #alpacalife #alpacaworld #alpacagram #llama

Important info.

Thinking about adding alpacas to your life? Alpacas are amazing animals, but they’re not a casual commitment. They need thoughtful planning, daily care, and a herd to thrive in—alpacas should never be kept alone! If you're just starting out, plan to bring home at least three or four so they can feel safe, social, and stress-free.

Alpacas require shelter from weather, fresh food and water every day, regular health checks, parasite control, toenail trims, long-term care, and a plan for vacations and holidays.

Their needs don’t take time off—and neither can you. These gentle animals can live 20+ years, so make sure the whole family is ready for the responsibility and joy that comes with alpaca ownership. 🐾

Want to know more before you commit? Check out the Alpaca Handbook! 👉 https://www.alpacainfo.com/academy/alpaca-handbook

📸 by Suri Alpacas of Indiana

What's the scoop on alpaca p**p? Alpaca beans are a hidden gem for healthy soil. Unlike many manures, they contain balanced nitrogen levels that won't burn your plants, even when placed right at the roots. They're also rich in magnesium, which encourages blossoms (and more blossoms mean more fruits, vegetables, and flowers). Even better, they're virtually odorless and don't contain e-coli, making them a clean, safe choice for your garden.

Alpaca beans can be used in a variety of ways. You can broadcast and till them into the soil, drop them directly into planting holes for a slow, time-release effect, or use them as a side dressing for your favorite perennials. Scattering them in your garden and covering with mulch helps speed up decomposition while keeping moisture in the soil.

Whether you're layering a "poo-fait" or just trying to "roil your soils," remember: these beans do more than feed your plants. They support local agriculture—and some of the softest, friendliest animals around.

I borrowed this post from another group page because it is so important. Halter Safety reminders… Which halter is fitted properly??
Top halter fit is dangerous - the noseband is on soft tissue and restricts breathing; Bottom halter fit is correct and safe - well up on solid bone/noseband close to the eyes. Skull photo shows WHY proper halter fit is important - anything below that bony area on the snout is soft cartilage that is easy to compress, cutting off ability to breathe. The last two pics show one reason why it’s important to NOT leave halters on long term - a rub abrasion becomes a wound, and eventually the halter can embed.

*Proper halter fit pics are from Camelidynamics site.