What do I need?

Do alpacas need special accommodation?

Not really. They should have access to shelter from extreme weather, either from trees or hedges, or sheds or lean-tos.

Are Alpacas easy care?

Yes; but they do require vaccinations and worming periodically, maintenance doses of Vitamin D, annual shearing and occasionally toenails or teeth trimmed. They are relatively low maintenance animals. We offer husbandry services to our clients. Contact us on 027 AWATERE or email us.

What kind of pasture do they need?

They eat less than most other animals and convert their food to energy very efficiently enabling them to survive in areas where other domestic livestock may not.

Alpacas are very susceptible to ryegrass staggers so high endophyte ryegrass should be avoided. Otherwise they require a diet high in fibre, low in protein with a balanced mineral content. Contact us for advice on 027 AWATERE or email us.

Alpaca are pseudo ruminants and should have access to supplementary hay feeding all year round to balance their intake. This is especially so over winter, in the latter stages of pregnancy, and at weaning.

Are alpacas hard on the land?

Alpacas have soft padded feet which are very gentle on the land. They are gentle browsers so recovery time for pasture is rapid. Their dung makes good fertiliser and they tend to dung in one spot making paddock cleanup simple.

How many alpacas do you need?

Alpacas are herd animals and do not do well on their own. We prefer to sell a minimum of three wethers unless of course the new owners have an existing herd. We offer the appropriate discount for multiple sales. We also offer 3 in 1 packages – which is a pregnant female with cria at foot; starter herds or any other grouping the customer desires. To enquire call us on 027 AWATERE or email us.

How much land would I need?

They are very efficient grazers and a stocking rate of four to five per acre is adequate depending on soil types.

What sort of fencing do alpacas need?

Any fencing that can contain sheep will contain alpacas. They do not tend to push boundaries and are usually happy to stay with their mates in their own backyard. They can jump a fence though if sufficiently stressed. Barbed wire and electric fencing are undesirable.

It is desirable to have a yard or pen area though for when shearing or toenail trimming duties are required, or vaccinations administered. The alpacas should be able to reach adequate shelter from within their paddock.