Frequently Asked Questions

Q – Who is LightlivestockEquipment.com?

LightLivestockEquipment.com is your source for quality light livestock equipment for alpacas, llamas, mini-horses, mini-cows, sheep, donkeys and goats and more. Our product line includes Destron microchips, Premier shearing machines, combs & cutters, scales by Salter-Brecknell; chutes, hay saver feeders, panels, gates, travel pens, and shearing tables; alpaca restraints; , and Tooth-A-Matic tooth trimmers.

Call toll free: 1-866- 999-(2821). We ship nationwide, and payments can be made with cash, check and credit card.

LightLivestockEquipment.com was a joint venture between AuSable Valley Alpacas & Ward Lumber, located in Jay, NY in the heart of the Adirondack mountains. Both businesses were owned and operated by Jay Ward and family. In 2022 the business was sold to Jonathan Capen (who managed and operated the business for 15 years. LightLivestockEquipment.com successfully serves the livestock equipment needs of the many light livestock industries in the US.

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Q – Forgive my ignorance here, but what is the purpose of trimming the teeth? I assume it is the front teeth being trimmed? Is this the same thing as “floating” the teeth? And how does one know when trimming should be done and how much trimming should be done?

The lower, front teeth (incisors) of alpacas and llamas sometimes need to be trimmed because they are too long.

They need to be trimmed when they extend by the upper dental pad and therefore there appearance and ability to eat becomes compromised.

I suppose it is somewhat similar to floating teeth in that it’s “fixing” the teeth however the process of trimming is very different.

As far as how much to trim, that will depend on how long the teeth are and how much can be taken off at one time.

I prefer to take smaller portions off more frequently than a big lop off all at once.

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Q – How do I use a Tooth-A-Matic?

1) The initial set up of the Tooth-A-Matic is very conservative relative to trimming depth.

A portion of the bottom plate sits on the bottom of the lama’s mouth limiting the depth of the Tooth-A-Matic down over the incisors.

2) A large (2” diameter) rope dog chew toy works great to hold the alpacas mouth open when using t he TAM. Place the rope in the rear of the alpacas mouth to keep the mouth open and protect the tongue.

3) The lama should be well restrained; trimming teeth is never a one person job.

At a minimum one other person should hold the alpaca’s head using the chew toy above.

Better restraint is available using a chute or shearing restraint such as the Pro-Tie or shearing table.

Shearing time is a great time to trim teeth because the lama is already restrained.

4) If a halter is going to be worn while trimming teeth (such as in a chute) the nose band has to be extra large to allow the lama’s mouth to open properly

5) Determine the amount of tooth to be removed in trimming prior to placing the Tooth-A-Matic over the teeth.

A magic marker can be used at first to make a cutting line on the teeth

Use at chest level or lower (belt level best) for visibility and control.

Use of the Tooth-A-Matic is not a blind operation; watch the cutting wheel approach & cut the teeth

6) Place the Tooth-A-Matic over the lama’s incisor teeth then turn on the tool once the Tooth-A-Matic is where you want it

7) Hold the base plate while pushing the cutting wheel ahead

This offers stability during the trim and keeps the base plate from pressing against the teeth/gums during the trim

8) Once the teeth are trimmed I rock the Tooth-A-Matic from side to side before sliding back to round the bite just a bit

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Q – Where is LightLivestockEquipment.com Located?

Get directions by clicking here.

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Q – Can the panels be run is a straight line?

Like most livestock panels ours have a narrow foot & therefore are not self supporting. Two panels can be run in a straight line without much trouble.
If more than two panels are to be run in a straight line a metal t-post can be driven to support every second joint between panels.
Panels can also be zigzagged slightly and they will become very stable. If a zigzag affect is used one will need order a small amount (maybe 10%) more footage of panels.
Post/wall connectors can be used to fasten a panel to a wooden or metal post at the start of a run on anywhere along the length where there is a post that can be lagged or bolted into.

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Q – What’s the difference between an alpaca chute and a llama chute?

100 lbs (250 lbs for the alpaca chute and 350 lbs for the llama chute).
$200 (alpaca chute is $1,800 and the llama chute is $2,000).
The overall size (see the chute page for details).

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Q – How do I know how much shipping will be on my order?

Our shopping cart will calculate the shipping charges for any order to a US or Canadian location automatically. For shipping to international locations please contact up via e-mail for more info.

To calculate the shipping charges add the items you’d like to purchase (or get a freight quote on) to the shopping cart and enter your zip or postal code and then use the “update cart” button to calculate the shipping charges.

Canadian customers will be responsible for all taxes and duty. We will work with your broker or ours. Shipping quotes for destinations outside the continental US and Canada will be gladly provided upon request.

We have a national discounted contract rate with UPS through 3rd party shipping & a common carrier to keep the shipping rates as low as possible.

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Q – How high can the double sided feeders go?

Max height for feeder is 24″ to bottom of the tray.
Space between the top of tray and roof is 23″.

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Q – Can I use the PS-500 in my unheated barn?

Your question is a good & common one
We do post the stated minimum operating temp of 41F on our web site in several places.
The manual (also provided on our web site) says “works best when operated at room temp”
However on page 2 the operating and storage temps are specified:
Operating Temp: 5C – 35C degrees (41F – 95F)
Storage temp: -10C – 70C degrees (14F – 158F)
The LED readout in the indicator is the part of the scale that is susceptible to the cold.
I have used this scale in my unheated barn since 2003. The scale actually lives on a concrete pad outside the barn under an overhang year round in all temperatures that the Adirondack Mountains have to offer.
While I do less weighing in the cold winter months than the warmer months, when I do weigh in the winter I unplug the indicator and bring it in the house overnight the night before I plan to use it. The indicator is easily unplugged from the base at a male/female connector in the cable between the base and indicator. I bring the indicator out the next day and can use it for a number of hours before there is any slowing in the LED function due to the cold. The complete scale then stays outside until it’s needed again.
We have provided this scale for use on farms and in barns for lots of customers across the US and Canada with very good results.

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Q – If a breeder does their own IgG test with our DVM Rapid Test will that be satisfactory for insurance purposes?

Yes, that is fine if you do your own testing!!
thanks,

Stacy Miller
Wilkins Livestock Insurers, Inc.
(402) 759-4901