How to Raise Alpacas in the Northeast

Southwinds Farm, Watertown, Connecticut--3 weeks old

TO SEE MY OTHER ARTICLES, CUT AND PASTE THIS LINK - http://www.ehow.com/members/TheHabe-articles.html. Alpacas are beautiful and friendly animals. Cousins to llamas, they originated in the hills of Peru and Chile. Starting an alpaca farm or just adopting some of the animals to keep as pets is a fun and rewarding pastime. Because alpacas are not indigenous to a colder climate like the northeastern United States, you need to make certain adjustments to ensure proper care of your animals.

Things You'll Need

• Barn
• Fencing
• Grain
• Grooming brushes

Instructions

1. Join a national association for support. Contact the Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association if you plan to adopt any animals. (Follow the link in Resources.) There are several other excellent local resources as well; you will become familiar with them as you join the network of farmers in your area who raise these animals.

2. 

   Take your desires into account before purchasing your animals. If you merely intend to raise a few as pets and don't care about breeding them, this won't be a full-time endeavor. However, having 10 or more animals will be more costly and time- and labor-intensive.

3. Consider the available space. You will need about 10,000 feet for each animal for the first four alpacas. If you have a couple of acres or so for 20 or 30 animals, that is fine. They need to be able to get exercise and get away from each other. If you intend on breeding the animals, you may wish to separate males from females much of the time. Also, you will need fencing for the livestock.

4. Consider the cost. You will need to feed the alpacas grain that will cost about $2 to $3 dollars per day per animal. You will need to have them sheared in the spring (although the money you can get for the wool will offset any cost). You will also need veterinary services on a regular basis, including shots, checkups and dental care. A healthy alpaca can live for 20 or more years. (You can also purchase insurance on the alpacas in case of loss.)

5. Consider the profits. If you are mulling alpaca ownership as a business, you should treat it similarly to a small business, factoring in depreciation and capital-gains taxes. Find an accountant through your associations who is familiar with farming-tax details and benefits. The purchase cost of each animal is extremely variable, ranging from about $500 to $50,000 or more for certain breeding males. The demand for alpacas is very high, but can fluctuate over time.

6. 

   Build a barn for winter housing once you decide to go ahead with your investment. You will need a four-walled structure to protect the animals from the cold. They have beautiful, thick wool that keeps them warm in winter, but in very cold temperatures, they will need to be inside. You will need water and electricity in the structure as well.

7. Buy two or three animals to begin with. You cannot buy just one alpaca. They need companionship, or they will not thrive. Two are fine, but three is the best number at the outest. If you plan to breed them, you can buy one young male and two females. (Note that the males are significantly more costly.)

8. 

   Enjoy the benefits. The nicest thing about alpacas is their wonderful personalities. Those that are raised by hand and bottle-fed can become very affectionate, tame and loving. They are as smart as dogs, and each alpaca has a unique demeanor. Pet alpacas know their names. Some will come when called, and they can obey simple commands (when they feel like it).

Tips & Warnings

• Check the zoning ordinances in your town before adopting any animals.

• Join a co-op to shear and share fleece with a large group of farmers.

• Don't keep dogs or other animals near the alpacas. Introduce the animals to one another slowly and from a distance, but leave dogs out of the alpaca enclosure.

Resources

• Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association