What do you do with them?
Alpacas are a livestock, so you raise them just like sheep. But the fleece you get from the yearly shearings is far superior, and much rarer, than the wool you get from sheep. More importantly, it is a renewable resource, you don't have to slaughter them to see an income, like you would cattle or pigs.
How are they different from llamas?
Alpacas and llamas are close cousins in the animal kingdom, both being members of the camelid family. Adult alpacas weigh from 150-200lbs., adult llamas weigh twice that, from 300-400 lbs. Alpacas are raised for their fine, luxurious fleece, comparable to cashmere. Llamas are raised as a pack animal, they can carry 70-100 lbs along uneven trails at high altitude. Due to their more aggressive nature, llamas are also valued as guard animals. Llamas sell for $50- $5,000, alpacas sell for $100 to $500,000. Click here for the alpacas available at DVR.
How much do they eat?
Alpacas eat a fraction of what even a small horse will, consuming only an average of 1-2 bales of hay a month! Here at DVR we do supplement our breeding alpacas with a custom formula we designed specifically for the high plains. Click here for a more information about Ranchway's DVR Alpaca Ration.
Are they friendly?
Alpacas are a herd animal, so by nature they can be a little skittish. That said, each individual alpaca will have its own personality, and with a gentle owner many will become incredibly friendly.
Do they spit?
As with all camelids, alpacas do use spitting as a form of communication. They usually use it to decide who will eat and when, so humans are rarely a target, they just occasionally get caught in the crossfire. Alpacas have individual personalities, so you can quickly learn who would be most likely to spit, and when.
Are alpacas dangerous?
Absolutely not! They are safe and pleasant to be around. They do not butt and rarely bite, and they do not have the teeth, horns, hooves, or claws to do serious injury.
Can I run alpacas with other livestock?
Alpacas can bond well with other types of animals. Naturally, alpacas and large aggressive dogs are not a good combination, but there are many cases of quiet dogs mixing well with alpacas.
Individual alpacas have been very successfully run with sheep and goats to act as fox guards. The alpacas tend to bond with the foster herd and they are naturally aggressive toward foxes.
If running with different livestock, alpacas will pick up the internal parasites associated with the other animals and should be put on the same deworming regime.
Because of the risk of the alpacas being kicked, caution should be used if running them with cattle or horses.
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Are alpacas a good investment?
Alpacas make a great investment, they have held their value for the past 25 years, ever since they were introduced to the US. Each breeding female produces one cria (baby) a year, so your herd will increase exponentially every year, while keeping the supply limited, which keeps the prices stable. Click here for our herd growth calculator.
Do I need to be a business wiz?
This all depends on what your goals are. If you want to become the alpaca breeding powerhouse then some business savvy will come in handy. If you just want to take advantage of the many benefits, and be a part of the alpaca community, then there are endless resources to assist you in finding the level of ownership you feel most comfortable with. Click here for a more detailed explanation.
Do I need to own land?
You don't actually need to own land to take advantage of many of the benefits of alpaca ownership. We actually have several boarders who live in the city and own alpacas strictly for the investment and tax benefits. But if you want to be a hands-on alpaca rancher, you can do so with as little as 2 acres.
Is raising alpacas difficult?
No, alpacas are one of the easiest livestock to raise for many reasons:
- The average alpaca is a timid, gentle creature that needs little feed or care.
- They don't challenge fences, so a light fence is necessary only for keeping unwanted animals out. If an alpaca does somehow get out, they are herd animals so they won't wander far from the herd.
- They are from the Andes mountains, so they can withstand harsh winter climates, but when shorn in the spring will tolerate 100+ summer temperatures! So a basic loafing shed for shelter & shade is all that's necessary for housing.
- They have one cria (baby) a year, and rarely require birthing assistance, or even vet care.
- They form what is called a 'community dung pile.' They all poop in the same place, and you can decide where you want them to start.
Are they expensive?
On the low end, fiber quality alpacas, or non-breeders, can be bought as companion animals, or even pets, for as little as $100-$1,000. Depending on many factors, production, or breeding alpacas, can sell from $5,000 to $500,000 depending on genetics and show success. This diversity means that alpaca ownership is possible for just about anyone. Click here for a list of alpacas available.
I hear there are tax benefits?
Oh yes, the tax benefits! There are many highly attractive incentives and advantages from our government that make alpaca ownership a real no-brainer. Click here for a more detailed explanation. |
