After six months together, one of my boys seems afraid of the older male

Discussion in 'Behavioral Challenges' started by Humming Woodland, Nov 7, 2024.

  1. Humming Woodland

    Humming Woodland Associate Member

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    Six months ago we got delivery of 2 alpaca boys both between 7 and 8 months old. To mentor them and lead the herd we bought a five and a half year old. He had been rescued by the people we purchased him from. A Dutch uncle, they called him.
    He was protective of the 2 youngsters and seemed to show them how to be respectful alpaca boys. They got along great together.
    When one of the boys reached his first birthday, he was almost the same size as the Dutch uncle. They began to spit and fight.
    The Dutch uncle, Ringo was bullied and starved by the herd he was in before his rescue. He is part Suri. A beautiful animal and while skittish with humans was pretty laid back with the alpaca boys.

    Elvis, the one he is at odds with is a bit of a bully when it comes to food. He is a class A piggy...and a bit of a drama queen. First big fight, Ringo had Elvis off the ground by his tail and Elvis kicked him a resounding kick under the chin. We broke it up.
    Since that time, we have seen Ringo with what looked suspiciously like Elvis tail hair hanging off his lip a few times. Elvis dances away when Ringo comes near. And Ringo seems to enjoy terrorizing Elvis with looks and pretend chasing of him.

    Elvis of late has begun to isolate himself.
    He still hangs out with the other boy, Garth, but stays away from the feeder when Ringo is there and makes sure he stays far away from wherever Ringo is.

    I make sure to have 2 laundry baskets of fresh hay in the areas he isolates to. And his much smaller little buddy Garth goes over and hangs out with him often.

    I've heard the advise put them in a trailer, take them for a drive and they'll be ok with each other again. No trailer would some shared time in the catch one do anything?

    All three are intact. Ringo does not have his fighting teeth. And I d prefer not to geld them. There are no ladies to fight over.
    Lately, when I see Ringo go after Elvis I loudly tell him, "Ringo, no chase Elvis" and shake a finger at him. He actually stops chasing him. But poor Elvis, he still seems afraid. But as mentioned before, he is a drama queen and squeals and grumbles if he can't get his own way. I suspect he's pressing Ringo's buttons that poor old Ringo collected when he was bullied and starved in his other life.
    We are now allowing them to access both paddocks day and night, rather than closing them up in the small one where their shelter is. This seems to alleviate some of the discord.
    Any thoughts or ideas on how we can help Elvis get over his fear of Ringo and how we can get Ringo to quit terrorizing Elvis.
    Sorry for such a long story. Thank you. 20241031_165602.jpg 20241031_165602.jpg
     
  2. jchickering

    jchickering CAMELIDynamics Consultant

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  3. marty mcgee bennett

    marty mcgee bennett Administrator

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  4. Humming Woodland

    Humming Woodland Associate Member

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  5. Humming Woodland

    Humming Woodland Associate Member

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