Bozedown Alpaca Farm is a bio-secure farm, established in 1989.  Our entire herd is inside badger proof fencing to protect our alpacas from bTB, with each block of pasture completely enclosed by the badger fence and badger-proof gates.  All of our fencing is dug into the ground so nothing can dig its way into the farm.  All of our gates have concreted plinth so nothing can dig under our gateways.  Further, there is a laneway of 4 metres between the perimeter fencing and the badger fencing to protect the entire farm from any possibility of outside contact from neighbouring farms. At the entrance to each of our farm enclosures there is an anti-bacterial foot dip, where farm workers and visitors alike must dip their boots on entry, and anti-bacterial vehicle mats for all vehicles to drive across.

Bovine Tuberculosis

Alpacas are susceptible to bTB. Hence our herd is tested annually for bTB using the Enferplex bTB serological blood test.

To find out more about the Enferplex test and Surefarm, the company that offer the test please click here.

We maintain annual bTB testing, which is required for exporting alpacas, and purchasers are further reassured by our additional bTB testing of their alpacas before they leave our farm. Purchased or co-owned males arriving at our farm must test negative for bTB before they set off on their journey to us. Then upon arrival they will be quarantined for at least 3 months away from all other alpacas on the farm, with at least 2 fences between them and any other alpacas, and retested during that time. 

Stud Services

For the protection of visitors as well as our own alpacas we have covered designated concrete pens that are only used for outside matings and are disinfected between every service.  Females need to be tested before they come, to make sure they are receptive, and sit immediately for males. We never perform spit offs for any outside females.Both alpacas leave the pen immediately after breeding so that they spend the minimum time together.

Minimising disease risk at Bozedown Alpacas:

We take our alpacas’ health very seriously. They all have a daily mineral and vitamin supplement Camelibra. Camelibra was developed specially for Bozedown Alpacas by GWF Nutrition, in consultation with Claire Whitehead, BVM&S, MS,  MRCVS of Camelid Vet Services Ltd. It is now widely used by alpaca owners all around the UK.

Every morning we take the opportunity to monitor every alpaca on the farm as we visit each paddock in turn. With almost 35 years experience we know all our alpacas very well, we know their individual habits, and are looking for any unusual behaviour or any change in their faecal deposits, which might indicate a health problem.

All our alpacas are regularly either weighed and/or Body Condition Scored and recorded, which further alerts us to any nutritional deficiencies or possible disease. We routinely test for Worms, Coccidea and Liver Fluke and treat accordingly, with all treatments recorded onto our Herd Programme, Herdmaster.

Our Herdmaster records are essential as they contain every single thing that ever happens to each and every alpaca on our farm, down to which paddock they have grazed at any particular time, which means we can speedily get on top of any disease that might occur.

All clinical treatments are recorded and supplied to all purchasers. 

Any clinical disease is immediately investigated, with appropriate samples going directly for diagnosis to Camelid Vet Services Ltd, which is located very close by. Sick alpacas are isolated for treatment and monitoring.

Post mortem is carried out on any unexplained death.

Shows

We only attend shows that implement strict biosecurity measures including separate penning for each exhibitor to prevent all nose-to-nose contact.  We are very careful at shows to maintain our distance in the collecting rings and never allow our alpacas nose to nose contact with other animals
On returning to the farm after Shows alpacas are quarantined for a safe period.