Llama and Alpaca Management in Germany—Results of an Online Survey among Owners on Farm Structure, Health Problems and Self-Reflection

SIMPLE SUMMARY: The keeping of llamas and alpacas is becoming increasingly attractive, resulting in veterinarians being consulted to an increasing extent about the treatment of individual animals or herd care and management. At present, there is little information on the maintenance practices for South American camelids in Germany and on the level of knowledge of animal owners. To gain an overview of the number of animals kept, the farming methods and management practices in alpaca and llama populations, as well as to obtain information on common population problems, a survey was conducted among owners of South American camelids. The findings can help prepare veterinarians for herd visits and serve as a basis for the discussion of current problems in South American camelid husbandry. ABSTRACT: An online survey of llama and alpaca owners was used to collect data on the population, husbandry, feeding, management measures and health problems. A total of 255 questionnaires were evaluated. In total, 55.1% of the owners had started keeping South American camelids within the last six years. The majority managed small farms with fewer than 15 animals (66.4% of 250 farms). More than half of the participants stated that they kept the camelids as hobby animals (64.3%), although they used them for wool production (55.7%) and/or for breeding (51.8%). Vaccination and deworming were carried out on more than 80% of the farms. The most common diseases occurring on the farms were endo- and ectoparasites. A total of 55.3% of the owners estimated their own knowledge of South American camelids as good, 14.5% as very good. In contrast, more than half of the owners agreed little or not at all with the statement that veterinarians generally have sufficient knowledge about South American camelids. Further research is needed to include veterinarians’ perspectives and thus optimise animal husbandry.