1. Bison, Ratites, Llamas, Alpacas, and Elk
Chapter 48

2. Objectives
Describe the origin, history, and general characteristics of bison
Describe the characteristics of the bison industry
Discuss the management, feeding practices, health maintenance, facilities and equipment, and marketing of bison

3. Objectives (cont.) Discuss the characteristics and origin of ratites
Discuss management practices used when caring for ratites
Discuss facilities needed for ratites
Discuss maintaining the health of ratites
Discuss getting started with ratites

4. Objectives (cont.) Discuss the marketing of ratites and their products
Discuss the history of and getting started in business with llamas and alpacas

5. Objectives (cont.) Describe the characteristics of llamas and alpacas
Discuss the feeding and management of llamas and alpacas
Discuss the uses, production, and management of elk

6. Bison Origin History Member of Bovidae family
Believed that bison crossed a land bridge from Asia to North America
History
Important resource for the Plains Indians
Almost slaughtered to extinction in 1800s, before rebounding by 1980s

7. Bison (cont.) Description and Characteristics
Male bison stands 6.5 feet tall
Hump over the front shoulders
Bull has larger horns than the cow
Head is large and the body narrows through the hindquarters
Long, dark hair covers head and forequarters

8. Characteristics of the Bison Industry
Very small compared to other livestock enterprises
Several types of ownership
Absentee ownership
Hobby
Small producer
Medium-sized and large ranches

9. Management of Bison Select young, healthy, large animals
Determine vaccination and worming schedules
Bison are very aggressive
Use caution when handling
Inbreeding should be avoided

10. Feeding and Nutrition of Bison
Nutrient and mineral requirements are similar to that of cattle
Average daily gain is 2 to 3 pounds
Live off grasslands but need supplement in the winter
Fresh, clean water should always be available

11. Bison Herd Health
Preventing health problems is easier than treating them
Proper worming and vaccinations
Medicines approved for cattle are usually safe for bison as well
Affected by the same parasites, poisonous plants that affect cattle and sheep

12. Facilities and Equipment for Bison
Fences at least 6 feet high and strong
Pasture gates made of same material as fence
Handling fences must be built stronger than pasture fences
Squeeze chutes for bison have to be larger than cattle chutes

13. Marketing Bison Selling Breeding Stock Selling to Feedlot Operators
Sold to private individuals or at auction
Selling to Feedlot Operators
Meat Marketing
Two types
Traditional market
Gourmet market

14. Marketing Bison (cont.)
Marketing By-Products
Heads
Robes
Skulls
Leather
Wool
Bones and horns

15. Ratites
Introduction
Interest in U.S. as alternative to other livestock production
Group of flightless birds, including ostrich, emu, rhea, cassowary, and kiwi
Commercial use in the 1800s in South Africa

16. Ratites (cont.) Description - Ostrich
Largest of the ratites, 7 to 9 feet tall
can run 30 to 50 mph
Long necks, small heads, large eyes
Male has black and white feathers
Female has gray feathers

17. Ratites (cont.) Description - Emu
Second largest bird, 5 to 6 feet tall
Female is dominant
Can run 30 mph
Head and neck are grayish blue
Feathers black on head, brown on back
Plumage is course and hair-like

18. Ratites (cont.) Description - Rhea
Similar to ostrich; 5.5 feet tall, rapid runner
Feathers are pale gray to brown
Head and neck are completely feathered
No tail feathers
Long body feathers droop over posterior of the bird

19. Ratites (cont.) Breeding and Egg Production Ostrich Emu
Mate bonded pairs
Egg laying begins in March, extends to September
Emu
Eggs laid in shallow depression on ground
Average of 30 eggs laid during each session

20. Ratites (cont.) Breeding and Egg Production (cont.) Rhea
Similar to ostrich breeding practices
Females lay eggs in same nest
Males sit on nest to incubate the eggs

21. Ratites (cont.) Incubation and Hatching of Eggs
Artificial incubation used in U.S.
Chick will break through internal shell membrane 1 to 2 days prior to hatching
Hatching usually occurs within 12 hours after first breaking of the egg shell

22. Ratites (cont.) Brooding
Ratite chicks require supplemental heat for several weeks after hatching
Brooder area at floor level should be kept about about 90° for 10 days to two weeks
Brooding area should be clean, dry, and well ventilated

23. Ratites (cont.) Sexing Young Birds Feeding
Examination of sex organs required
Feeding
Limited research on nutritional requirements of ratites
Commercial rations in mash or pellet form are available from a number of feed companies

24. Ratites (cont.) Handling and Transporting
Mature ratites can be difficult to handle
Restraining may be necessary for vaccination or examination
May take several people to handle mature bird
Transport in ventilated enclosed trailers with nonslip floors

25. Ratites (cont.) Identification
Plastic leg bands placed on chicks as they hatch are recommended
Larger leg bands can be adjusted in size as birds get older
Microchip identification is widely used in the ratite industry

26. Ratites (cont.) Facilities Young chicks can be kept in small pens
Larger pens required for older birds
Provide adequate area for exercise, along with housing and shade
Alleys built between pens make it easier to move birds from one area to next
Restraint facilities for treating ill birds

27. Ratites (cont.)
Health
Establish a relationship with a ratite- knowledgeable veterinarian
Follow a good disease prevention program
Subject to same illnesses, parasites as poultry
High mortality rate at young age; require special care

28. Ratites (cont.) Getting Started in Business Buying eggs and hatching
Sexed chicks
Yearling pairs of male and female
Two-year-old breeding pairs
Before purchasing, research cost of production
Check bird health and breeder’s reputation

29. Ratites (cont.) Products
Meat
Leather
Oil
Feathers
The meat is low-fat, low-cholesterol, red meat
Hides used to make purses, boots, etc.

30. Ratites (cont.) Products (cont.)
Emu oil for cosmetic and pharmaceutical use
Feathers and eggshells are used for decorations

31. Llamas and Alpacas Introduction and History
Domesticated in Peru about 4,000 to 5,000 years ago
Llamas used as pack animals in S. America
First imported into the U.S. in late 1800s, for use in zoos
Alpacas were not used as pack animals

32. Llamas and Alpacas (cont.)
Characteristics (Llama)
Llama wool is usually white but may be black, beige, brown, red, or roan
Llama’s coat can be solid or spotted
Long necks, 5.5 to 6 feet tall
Live 20 to 25 years

33. Llamas and Alpacas (cont.)
Characteristics (Alpacas)
Have 22 distinct natural colors
Including: black, white, roan, brown, red, fawn, and gray
Two types of alpacas: Huacaya and Suri
Defined by type of fleece
About 4.5 feet tall at the head

34. Llamas and Alpacas (cont.)
Feeding
Modified ruminants - three stomachs
Feeding program based on roughages
Chew their cud like other ruminants
Llamas will eat both forage and browse
Alpacas are less likely to eat browse
Browse: shoots, twigs, and leaves found on rangeland

35. Llamas and Alpacas (cont.)
Management
Herd animals, desire companionship
Do not do well in isolation
If only one desired, it can be kept with other domesticated animals, such as sheep
Several groupings may be used when kept on a breeding farm

36. Llamas and Alpacas (cont.)
Reproduction
No estrus cycle, induced ovulators
Females bred at 1 year of age
Gestation period 11 to 11.5 months
Llama males should be about 3 years old for mating
Male alpacas used for breeding at about 2 to 3 years of age

37. Llamas and Alpacas (cont.)
Health
Few disease problems with llamas and alpacas
Wise to have a good working relationship with veterinarian
Preventive medicine, nutrition, vaccinations, and parasite control should be followed

38. Llamas and Alpacas (cont.)
Housing and Fencing
Little housing required, especially in mild climates
Provide shelter in extreme conditions
Hay mangers, feed bunks prevent parasites
Catch corrals make vaccinations, nail trimming, etc., easier to manage
Fences vary with herd size, groupings used

39. Elk American elk are members of the deer family
Primarily raised for their velvet, but also bred for meat, by-products, and breeding stock
Mature elk produces 30 to 40 pounds of velvet annually

40. Elk (cont.)
Commercial deer farming is steadily increasing due to demand for deer and elk products, minimal acreage requirements
Labor requirement is minimal
Elk have high fertility rate, long reproductive life
Elk have calm disposition, weather tolerant