livestock?

Hi,

My husband and I are about to embark on a lifestyle property. (moving there from urban Napier to rural Crownthorpe Hastings in a week's time) 3 acres , I already have 4 x 3yr old alpacas due to arrive in a week or two.

I'm okay about the Alpacas, but I was also hoping to get a couple of KuneKune pigs as pets. Do we realistically have a big enough property to have both the Alpacas & the Kunekunes?

Any advice would be gratefully received.

At 3 years that alpacas are getting past producing their best wool. Are they going to be culled in a couple of years? If one or more are going to breed than you do not have much spare space. Like all animals used for production, the more and better quality food that they have then the fewer health issues and better animals you will have. Alpacas can be very prone to rye grass staggers, which happens when grass gets short.
Is this a normal year for rain where you are going? Here it is abnormally moist, so a new-comer would be tempted to think that the ground always has this amount of food at this time of year.
Does your well have an irrigation permit? If not then everyone will be able to see that you are watering your pasture if you do that. Irrigation is also very expensive to run, in both time and money.
I would just do the one type of animal until you know more about your land, animal and time requirements

well stated Longridge! Alpacas are yesterdays pyramid scheme, what will you do with them? Go for something you can eat like sheep, chickens, ducks etc.

thanks, the Alpacas I have had since they were cria's (just never had them living with us) so am ok with dealing with them as i have looked after them since birth. We are not intending to make an income from our block as it is just 3 acres, Our animals are pets (sorry true blue farmers, we will not be eating our stock). Irrigation is not going to be a problem , Our bore on our property is metered, so we know exactly what costs etc are, but thanks for your concern.

I think you are correct about just the one animal type until we have settled in there. (although we also have chooks for the eggs)

The bore being metered does not automaticailly give you the right to irrigate from it, in some Councils. You should have checked what you are permitted to do with the water. You will also need to check of the water. Iron and copper content are important in some areas, and mercury in some areas of Northland.