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Once you have bought farm property, and your alpacas, (a one-time investment), you must consider how to outfit yourself so as to raise the animals. In this article, I have detailed some other investments you will need to make, and expenses you will need to incur.
After the initial investments, you will also have to plan for ongoing costs. These, like food intake (grain and hay), and vet shots and visits, will typically be about 75 to 150 dollars per year, per alpaca. Then there is the yearly shearing of the animal. Add it all up, along with insurance expenses, and you get the total cost of the alpaca lifestyle.
The cost of insuring the full value of an alpaca is just about 3 % of the value per year. You should necessarily take such insurance since each alpaca represents an investment of about 15,000 dollars.
Also, where this full value includes substantial stud fees of a proven male stud, you would do well to additionally insure against the loss of such stud income. Taking insurance is simple, as there are many companies that provide such specialized services, professionally.
Next, you must make sure to provide ample protective shelter for a herd of alpacas. Where there is a blizzard or snowfall in winter, you must provide a 4-sided enclosed barn or a 3-sided barn, with tarpaulin, to keep out the cold.
Alternatively, in hot and humid weather in summer, your housing structure must have plenty of shade and air circulation. This is because alpacas are naturally attuned to cold rather than hot climates.
A shed of size 10 x 20 feet is usually sufficient to house 8 alpacas. You may also consider putting the shed on skids to drag it to a different part of your pasture, or to turn it away from a cold or hot wind.
If modifying an existing horse barn, you may just take the doors off the stalls so as not to confine the animals rigidly. Next you must build a fence along the perimeter of the pasture set aside for the alpaca herd.
This is to keep predators, such as coyotes, cougars and bears, out. Alpacas, being gentle, tend to flee rather than confront predators. A fence of height 5 feet is ideal, with 2 x 4 foot openings, so that the alpacas won't stick their heads through and get stuck.
You must also insure there are no sharp ends like those found in barbed wire fences, on which the alpacas can snag their fleece. Lastly, fencing a 5-acre pasture will typically cost $10,000 to $12,000.
Now, when your herd is significantly large, you must lay out your pasture taking care to segregate the males from the females and children, as courting males sometimes even kill one another.
Also, it is wise not to pen other cattle and horses with alpacas, since a single kick from a behooved beast could kill an alpaca. Then again, alpacas can catch germs and other parasites from other animals if herded together.
You can also have guard dogs to protect and move your alpacas herd. Full grown adult llamas can also be used to guard alpacas, since they are more than a match for any hungry coyote or mountain lion.
Finally, in order to transport alpacas, you will need a van or SUV, rather than a trailer, as a temperature-controlled vehicle will be required in inclement weather. You could look to hire one when you need it. You will also need a halter to lead an alpaca, and must learn to put it on the alpaca's neck.
To learn everything about 'Alpaca Business Secrets' and to subscribe to the 'Alpaca Business Secrets' Newsletter absolutely FREE of charge, click: http://www.alpacafarmingreview.com
Richard J Runion is the President of Geostar Publishing & Services LLC. His latest weblog on Alpaca Rearing is fast becoming popular, as it is comprehensive and well-researched.
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