Abs

[CoO]

I am not presently a camel owner. I've never owned a llama or alpaca; I've never owned a horse. I think I have a camel obsession. I have wanted to purchase a female Bactrian for a very long time, and perhaps a llama as a companion animal. I had hoped if that went well, eventually I'd get another Bactrian. I've debated between buying an adult, that has been taught the correct behaviors by other camels (but size is extremely intimidating right now!!), or buying a baby that I can "grow" with (meaning I can get used to her while she is getting use to me).

I go to this website and Camelphotos.com daily to get information, and read everyone's stories. I read all I can find about camels. I recently came across an article in Hobby Farms called "Don't Bottle-Raise a Baby Lama!" (Their spelling, not mine.) The article is about ABS - Aberrant Behavior Syndrome in camelids. I will direct you to a website that is mentioned in this article: www.mallonmethod.com/llearning4.html. The website discusses the bad behaviors of llama and alpaca species brought on by well-meaning humans.

OK, I'll get to the point: I'd like to get an honest opinion from the people who own camels. If you have heard of ABS before, or have read the article, have you found this to be true for camels? Since I have never had experience working with such an animal, am I crazy for even considering getting a camel? If so, would an adult or baby be advised? I just want what is best for the animal.

[ivieacres]

I found this article interesting. And it could be some of the problem. I think getting a young this is nice and you are right they grow with you. I have alpacas and llamas too, but i am really confused after reading this.

I had the exact same questions, and it is great to want a camel.....
Thanks

[camelsinfrance]

It was a really interesting article, thanks for posting that.

I have to say, a great deal of working with camelids, as with all animals, is that you cannot attach human values to your work with them.

We do hand feed all our animals, as part of our training regime, they know to respect our space, they come up to us when asked, and back up in the same manner.

They know who's the boss, and that's the most important thing in all of this!

I fear the main result of ABS is the "Disney Factor" as indicated in the report, which I believe is being confused with hand feeding. All too many petting zoos have baby llamas and alpacas who grow into monsters, as they've been treated like pet dogs. I can only aliken the situation to people who buy working dogs and treat them as a member of the family - feeding from the table, sharing the bed etc - whilst some of these animals grow up to be normal and respectful, others just cause anguish for their owners - the difference being, Llamas and alpacas are larger.


As for Bull camels...

The reputation of bulls, and geldings is notorious, but typically because a few bad incidents have happened to cause bad press - and I'm sure the bull owners here will share with you their own personal experiences.

My only real experience with a bull was with one who came for three months to service my bactrians, I couldn't have asked for a more gentle giant, he was a pleasure to have around and didn't cause one single problem.

[3droms]

It is a very interesting article. I have read things llike this before.

Hand feeding seems to be a contentious issue. Horse training people certainly seem to have very differing opinions about it. I don't have a firm opinion myself I think there is more to it than one simple rule. I think it probably has a lot to do with how hand feeding is used. It seems logical to me that if it is used in training it is much less likely to cause bad habits then if food is hand fed for no reason. Having said that people hand feed for no reason seemingly without causing problems.

I do not think that I could treat a young animal in a business like manner. Thankfully I bought my camels as adults so I don't have to worry. I also have never owned a bull camel (we have a bullock). I have been told that an inexperianced camel owner would be better off with cows or bullocks, but as I said I've never owned one.......