Bezerk Male Syndrome (aka Novice Handler Syndrome)

[Marty McGee Bennett]

Marty--
One of our new alpacas had a gorgeous baby boy in early May.* He is still at our seller's farm due to her being rebred.* We have been to see him several times.* However, he is not afraid of people; he nibbles on clothing, is very rambunctious towards all the other crias, and I even saw him put his front leg on the seller as she was squatting in the barn area with him and the other alpacas. She continually tells me that he is so "cute and friendly", but I think he is displaying early aggression.* The seller is doing nothing to stop this behavior.* We are about a month away from being able to bring him home.* What should we do?* Am I worrying unneccesarily?* Plus, we have a lady who loves him, and is wanting to get into the alpaca business buying him and a maiden weanling.* What do you think?
Signed,
A worried alpaca buyer....

[Marty McGee Bennett]

I think you will have your hands full with this young male. You can't change the behavior of the breeders so you can only make a shift with this young male once you get him at your place. I would normally advise you not to buy him if there was an option. These kinds of animals are not good for new people to start with I would definitely NOT sell him too anyone one else who is new at raising alpacas.

I have two articles in the library that may help you... Alpaca Babies type A and B and Novice handler syndrome that would be helpful. Check out the GUILD LIBRARY at http://www.camelidynamics.com/guildForum/forumdisplay.php?f=15 for more detailed resources on this. I also have an hour long audio CD about aggression in camelids that you can order at that would be good reference material. (Order at http://camelidynamics.com/)

The behavior is pre-aggressive in my opinion. I would geld him sooner than later to be extra safe. If you intend to leave him intact it is very important to begin to reeducate him as soon as he arrives on your farm and it is very difficult for new owners with small number of animals to pull it off just so you know.