We have had our three alpacas for 11 months and I started taking them for short van rides. I had researched different approaches and learned that a “Porta-Potty” situation could be set up by “planting” some fresh alpaca beans in the area that you want them to poop.
We took the two on a 45 minute trail ride. Afterward, I set up a small piece of artificial turf (which they have in their paddock for pooping) with some poop on top of it. My friend walked the grey one up to it and he immediately sniffed the area and after a short time, he pooped!!!
Wow!! Was I ever hopeful. I then took Rico to the area and he spent a few minutes having me circle him around it. His pooping did NOT occur immediately, I finally noticed that he was “assuming the stance” and got excited. He aborted and less than one minute later, he did the stance. This time, he actually appeared to shimmy his butt and had to work a bit to get the poop to come out!! He pooped!! Immediately afterward, he peed right on top of the poop!! I have never seen him seemingly push a poop out!!!
It is so great when a well thought-out plan is successful. We had a few spectators for this “event.” One of them said that they just got their grandson to poop!!!!!!!
I do consider this yet another milestone in this alpaca journey!!!!