- One of the primary topics we are asked about when prospective alpaca owners come to visit us is how we chose to set up our alpaca area, what we like about the set up, and what we’d do differently if we had to start all over again. Making the investment upfront to have an organized layout with the proper tools on hand will save you time and money in the long run, and allow you to focus on the most important aspects of your business –your breeding program and the marketing of your products! The information below sets forth some suggestions and features to consider. more »
- We have built two alpaca farms since getting into the business years ago, and visited many others along the way. With over one hundred alpacas to work with every day, having the right set-up and layout is essential. We found the fencing can be used as a tool if laid out correctly, and a frustration if things are not in the right place. Every farm is unique, so you will have different requirements than we did living in the Rocky Mountains. Draw out your plan in a couple of different scenarios to see what elements you like best. Here are some important areas to consider when laying out your alpaca farm. more »
- There are many types of alpaca barn layouts. Which you chose depends on your property layout, financial considerations, number of alpacas you plan on having, and personal preference. What is required is that your alpacas have a dry place to get out of the wind and bad weather. A three-sided Run In shed like those used for horses is adequate provided it allows the alpacas enough room and protection from the weather. We started out with a 12 ft. x 14 ft. shed and added as our numbers grew. more »
- The most important thing about alpaca fencing is to provide safety from predators. Most kinds of fencing will confine alpacas; they do not challenge fences. Alpacas are prone to attack by your neighbor's dog, hungry coyote and in some areas, young roving cougars. That being said, we often come across alpaca herds with minimal protection. Llamas on the other hand may be used as guardian animals to protect sheep or alpacas. Both will face off when confronted but the llama's larger size and posturing will make the aggression more believable. It is good practice to run stock netting around all of your boundary fences to stop predators from gaining access to your property in the first place. more »
- When I decided to expand my pastures a few years ago, I chose to use electric rope fencing, primarily because it is much less expensive than wire fencing. A combination of supporting T-posts and fiberglass rods allowed me to have the great advantage of flexibility in changing paddock/pasture configurations before boundaries were made permanent with wooden corner posts. more »