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- Peak heat: check the herd twice daily for open-mouth breathing
- Cool, clean water in shade; electrolytes on hot days
- Peak parasite season in humid regions
- Buy and test winter hay while supply is good
- Continue heat and parasite monitoring
- Prepare weaning pens for spring crias
- Wean spring crias at around 6 months if they're eating well
- Fecal egg counts after the summer peak
- Meningeal worm season in the eastern U.S.: watch hind legs
- Winter preparation: shelters, windbreaks and bedding
- Stock up on hay and bedding
- Vitamin D for crias and dark-fleeced youngsters
- Install water heaters before the first hard freeze
- Increase hay as pasture fades
- Check body condition — add calories for thin or old animals
- Holiday hazards: never feed holly, yew or cedar decorations
- Keep water open and hay plentiful
- Check ears and scrotums for frostbite in severe cold
- Keep water ice-free with heated buckets or tank heaters
- Feed extra hay on the coldest nights — fermentation keeps alpacas warm
- Body-condition-score by hand under the fleece; winter weight loss hides easily
- Continue winter feeding and vitamin D
- Check hay inventory — make sure it lasts until pasture
- Pregnancy checks for late-summer breedings
- Fecal egg counts before the grazing season
- Repair fences and shelters after winter
- Walk pastures for emerging toxic plants
- Shearing season begins in most temperate areas
- Transition gradually onto spring grass (1–2 weeks)
- First crias of the season — check nursing within 4 hours
- Finish shearing before the first heat wave
- Cria season peak: weigh crias daily for 2 weeks
- Rebreed females 2–4 weeks after birthing
- Set up fans, shade and ground-level sprinklers before hot weather
- Watch the heat-stress index (°F + % humidity)
- Breeding season continues