Biosecurity
Here at Capital Alpaca, we take biosecurity very seriously and our animals health and wellbeing is our number one priority. To ensure the safety of all of our animals, we have biosecurity measures in place to reduce the spread of any illness or disease and to keep our animals out of harms way.
Our Biosecurity Measures
We maintain a rigorously biosecure herd through a comprehensive programme of testing, monitoring, and preventative care. Our alpacas are voluntarily tested for TB each year using the Enferplex blood test, and we have completed whole‑herd screening for Johne’s disease and BVD to ensure we retain a fully negative status. Test results are available for clients to view upon request.
All new arrivals undergo a strict six‑month quarantine period before joining the main herd. During this time, they are closely monitored for any signs of illness and receive all necessary health checks and vaccinations. This careful approach helps safeguard the wellbeing of both existing and incoming animals.
To further protect the herd, we enforce clear visitor protocols. Guests must arrive in clean clothing and disinfect their footwear before entering the premises. Foot dips are positioned at the entrance to each barn to ensure that all footwear is sanitised before access is granted.
Our facilities are cleaned and disinfected on a regular schedule. Barns are mucked out five times a week, feeding areas and equipment are routinely sanitised, and all water buckets and troughs are disinfected weekly. The entire farm is secured with buried badger‑proof fencing and sheeted metal gates that sit flush to the ground, preventing wildlife or other unwanted visitors from entering the yard.
We operate a robust pest‑control programme to minimise the presence of rodents, insects, and other wildlife that may carry disease. Feed is stored securely to prevent contamination, and the yard is brushed and tidied weekly, with any waste promptly removed to discourage pest activity.
The health of our alpacas is monitored closely through weekly checks, during which we look for any changes in behaviour, appetite, respiratory function, or body condition. Detailed health records are maintained for every animal. Our vaccination schedule follows veterinary guidance, with annual Bravoxin 10 boosters. We do not blanket‑worm; instead, we treat only when recommended by our veterinarian, supported by regular faecal testing to manage parasite loads responsibly.
To further reduce the risk of disease transmission, disinfectant foot dips are placed at the entrances to all barns and fields, ensuring that every step onto the farm is taken with biosecurity in mind.
