Small Ruminants/Alpacas

What are the four stomachs of ruminants?

Reticulum

Rumen

Omasum

Abomasum

What is the function of the reticulorumen?

bacterial fermentation

production/absorption of VFAs

microbial protein proliferation

At what age are kids and lambs naturally weaned?

~4 months

What is the ideal Ca:P ratio for small ruminants?

2:1

What is the digestibility percentage of early vegetative pasture?

80%

What is the water requirement for a lactating ewe?

7-15L per day

What is the minimum dietary crude protein (CP) required for rumen bacterial growth?

7%

What are the fat-soluble vitamins required by small ruminants?

Vitamins A, D, E, and K

What is the cause of urolithiasis in small ruminants?

Urinary stone formation due to imbalanced diets (e.g., high concentrate, low roughage, low Ca:P ratio)

What are the symptoms of perennial ryegrass staggers?

Tremors

stiff gait

difficulty walking

"staggering”

What is the primary parasite affecting small ruminants and alpacas?

Haemonchus contortus (Barber's Pole Worm).

What are the three compartments of the alpaca stomach?

C1 & C2 (mech and mucosa 6.2-6.6)

C3 (proximal 2/3 mucosa, distal 1/3 glandular/acid 2-3

What is the water intake requirement for adult alpacas?

Approximately 5% of body weight daily

What is the recommended stocking rate for alpacas?

5-7 animals per acre

What is the most common mineral deficiency in alpacas?

Selenium

What is the treatment for ruminal acidosis?

Analgesia, sodium bicarbonate, transfaunation, and antibiotics

What is the protein requirement for lactating does and ewes?

13-15%

What is the cause of grass tetany/staggers?

hypomagnesaemia due to low magnesium in pasture

What is the primary source of energy for alpacas?

VFAs (Acetate > Propionate > Butyrate)

-microbial fermentation

How should new feeds be introduced to alpacas?

Gradually over 10-14 days for microbial adaptation.

How should new feeds be introduced to alpacas?

Gradually over 10-14 days for microbial adaptation

What is the body condition scoring range for alpacas?

1-5

What are the toxic plants for alpacas and small ruminants?

Lantana

Poison Peach

Fireweed, Mycotoxins

Blue-Green Algae

What is the recommended feeding rate for Vitamin A in small ruminants?

5000 IU/lb feed.

What is the stocking rate for alpacas based on annual rainfall?

2 DSE/Ha for every 100mL annual rainfall

What is the primary cause of annual ryegrass toxicity (ARGT)?

Consumption of annual ryegrass infected with Rathayibacter toxicus.

which animal is most sensitive to copper?

sheep