Caring for alpacas
can be a rewarding experience—they're gentle, social animals with unique needs.
Here's a beginner-friendly guide to alpaca care:
1. Basic Requirements
Space
· Pasture: Minimum 1 acre per 5–10 alpacas.
· Fencing: 4–5 ft high, safe (no barbed wire), predator-proof if
possible.
Shelter
· Three-sided shelter or barn to protect from rain, wind,
and extreme sun.
· Dry, draft-free space with good ventilation.
2. Feeding
Diet
· Hay/Grass: Good-quality hay or pasture grass is their main food.
· Supplement: May need mineral supplements; provide free-choice
alpaca-specific mineral mix.
· Water: Fresh, clean
water available at all times.
Avoid
· Grain-heavy diets (can cause digestive issues).
· Moldy or dusty hay.
3. Health Care
Regular Maintenance
· Vaccinations: As recommended by your vet (often CDT: Clostridium
perfringens and tetanus).
· Deworming: Based on fecal test results; don't over-deworm.
· Toenail Trimming: Every 6–8 weeks.
· Teeth Checks: Watch for overgrowth, especially in older males.
Vet
· Find a vet with camelid (alpaca and llama) experience.
4. Shearing
· Once a year, usually in spring.
· Keeps them cool and reduces risk of heat stress.
5. Social Needs
· Alpacas are herd animals—never keep just one.
· Minimum: 2–3 alpacas together for mental and physical
well-being.
6. Handling and Temperament
· Alpacas are gentle but shy; they don’t like being petted
like dogs.
· Halter training is helpful but takes time and patience.
· Avoid grabbing or forcing them—they respond better to
calm, quiet handling.
7. Breeding (Optional)
· Only breed with proper knowledge and support.
· Gestation lasts around 11.5 months.
Alpaca Keeping Raising Alpacas – Step by Step Guide Book…
farming, care, diet, health and breeding
CLICK HERE TO ORDER THE BOOK ON AMAZON
Want to expertly look after alpacas?
Would you like a step by step guide on raising alpacas? Read through this book
and you’ll discover everything you need to know from… Selecting a healthy
alpaca, associated costs, housing, husbandry, health and breeding, plus useful
frequently asked questions. Each section is covered in detail. You’ll also find
a breeder’s directory detailing sites across America, Canada and the UK plus a
list of relevant websites. Discover everything from Which way the alpaca home
should face (and why) What important things you need to know about worming What
fencing is recommended and what to avoid How to recognise and more importantly
how to prevent some common health problems And lots lots more…
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