See your local lumber supplier for price estimates and other suggestions. There are several excellent plans available in alpaca and livestock magazines that have storage areas configured into the shelter. Typically, a simple three-sided shelter is all that is needed provided it does not face into the wind or sun. Shelters are mostly needed to provide shade in summer and haven from winter’s cold wind and snow. However, in areas of high deer population, eight-foot high fences or electric top wires may be needed to keep deer out. Usually five foot high is enough to keep unwanted animals from jumping over. The most widely used fencing is welded or unwelded field fencing that has smaller holes on the bottom to keep out dogs and other critters. Some ranches use five-wire high-tensile fencing this may not be secure enough to keep herdsires away from breeding females or from having crias stand up on the wrong side of the fence after cushing next to it. The perimeter fencing’s main purpose is to keep predators out, rather than keep the alpacas in. Your facilities configuration should promote easy care and handling of your alpacas. Access to an open barn, a simple overhang or a 3-sided shed is adequate shelter from the weather during adverse conditions and provides shade during warmer seasons. This is of special concern with heated water buckets warming the water too much or keep full systems that do not pump enough cold water into the already warmed water.Īlpacas are hardy creatures that adapt well to all climates and have minimal requirements in the way of shelter. They may refuse water that is too warm or too cold. Also, ensure water temperature is palatable to the alpacas. In winter months, ensure water buckets are not frozen over. Waterįresh, clean water should be available at all times. Some alpacas may need to be grained with crimped or rolled corn, crimped oats and molasses. Growing crias, lactating females and ill alpacas are given vitamins with probiotics. Select supplements that are prepared to balance the nutrients deficient in your forage and according to your alpacas needs. However, they may require more nourishment for severe cold. Alpacas like cold weather and are well equipped to deal with winter. Slightly more for lactating females, weanlings between 3 months to 1 year, under-weight or ill alpacas. If unavailable in your area, other excellent feeds are produced by Buckeye and Mazuri.įeed approximately 1/2 pound of pellets per day per alpaca. We prefer the crumbled pellets because there seems to be less incidence of choking caused by the larger pellets. PelletsĪlpaca or Llama Profile made by Land O Lakes is a well-balanced feed with excellent trace minerals. Keeping dung piles mowed will help battle parasites by allowing sunlight to reach the larvae and deter alpacas from grazing near them. The alpacas’ pasture should be kept free of harmful debris and regularly inspected for dangerous mole holes and such. We periodically check pasture for poisonous grasses such as fescue. Our pastures consist of a mixture of orchard grass, timothy, clover, and alfalfa (no more than 20%). Overfeeding or dependence on protein-rich hays, such as alfalfa, are unhealthy. You can also have your local agricultural agent seasonally test your pasture, water and hay.Īlpacas do well on a combination of pasture and clean, grass-type hay. In order to be sure your animals are getting the nutrition they need, we recommend continuously monitoring the weight, frame/body score, and conditions of the alpacas and adjust feeding as needed. We also feed pellets and mineral supplements. A couple acres of good pasture can support 4 to 8 alpacas. By GLAA members Lorrie and Randy Krause of Alpaca Acres (retired) FeedingĪlpacas are gentle on the land and efficient users of feed.
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