Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I really make money with alpacas?

The answer is an unequivocal "Yes", but the question isn't that easy. We need to discuss how much money you want to make, within what timescale, and how much time and money you want to invest. Like anything worthwhile, you have to work at this to make it succeed. But if you do, the rewards, both financial and emotional, can be terrific.

How long will the market last?

The $64,000 question! The true answer is that nobody really knows. In any event, there is more than one market. At the moment, the major market is in selling livestock, but the industry is moving to establish an alpaca fiber market of substantial proportions. If and when the market for livestock declines, the fiber market should pick up the slack.

There will always be a market for good quality animals with good fleece characteristics.

To answer the more specific question, "How long will the livestock market last?" we would point out that the number of alpacas has been increasing at the rate of just over 22% a year for the last 15 years. Given the current base of about 40,000 alpacas in America, it would take until 2010 to reach 250,000, which is probably the minimum number before the market starts to slow down. A more realistic figure might be 500,000, and that would take until about 2015.

Will the current price levels be maintained?

As the market pays more attention to fiber, and less to "cute", the prices of high quality animals will increase, and those with mediocre fleece will decline. At the moment, too many people buy their animals without understanding the importance of good fiber, and that continues to reward the farms breeding sub-standard animals.

Unfortunately, these unsuspecting buyers are the ones who will be left out in the cold when the market ignores their animals.

How much should an alpaca cost?

The price will vary according to whether it is a Huacaya or a Suri, male or female, whether it is pregnant, how old it is, how good a specimen, Peruvian, Bolivian, or Chilean, … and so on. But, a price range of $18,000 to $26,000 for a well-bred female would be in the right ballpark.

Should I buy an unregistered animal?

Most people will say, "No". but it really depends on what you want to do with your alpacas. If you don't want to sell livestock, but just want a good fiber herd, then registration doesn't matter. It is only important if you want to register and sell progeny.

Having said that, nine times out of ten you will want to buy an animal registered with the American registry.

Are they genuinely easy to look after?

Yes, they are, compared to other livestock. But don't forget that they are livestock. They are not domestic pets, like dogs or cats. They are more akin to sheep and goats. They need their feet trimmed, their teeth cut, their fleece sheared, as well as routine medical vaccinations to be administered. They are a farm animal, and need to be treated as such. They are great to watch and interact with, but they are not toys or pets, and too much human contact can cause problems, particularly if they become imprinted with humans when they are young.

Are they good with children?

They are gentle, and are very seldom hostile, and they can easily be handled by a child for show purposes. But the proviso above stands: they are not household pets, and shouldn't be treated as such.

Do they make good pets?

They are not pets. They are gentle, curious, herd animals, who need the company of their own kind to be comfortable. Having said that, they are delightful to work with and look after, and give many hours of pleasure to their owners.

How much do they cost to keep?

Ah, the good news! Alpacas are very inexpensive to keep compared with even the family pet! They are extremely efficient converters of food, and require about 1 ½ to 2% of their body weight in food each day. That equates to normal grazing and about 1 small bale of hay a day. This should be supplemented with some minerals, usually provided in a pelleted mix. The total cost for food is probably about $150 a year for each animal.

The other regular cost that will be incurred is for routine veterinary care. This will probably run to another $100 a year.

So, the net result is that, if you have animals with good fleece quality, the fiber gained from them each year should pretty well cover their feed and vet costs.

Do I need to buy more than one?

Yes - unless you already have alpacas. They are herd animals and need the companionship of their own kind. They will mix with llamas, but it is not quite the same thing. They like to be with other alpacas.

How can I sell the crias that are born to my alpacas?

Many people want to keep the crias that are born to help to build their herd. At least for the first 3 or 4 years. But, when it does come to selling them, you need to make sure that you have an active marketing program and are promoting alpacas at every opportunity you get.

You can list them online, through your own website or through one of the many cooperative ventures available, and you can also advertise in the various AOBA magazines.

Do they need special food?

Not really. Ideally they need free access to grazing, supplemented with good quality hay. In addition, they need mineral supplements that are usually given in the form of a pelleted mix.

What shelter do they need?

This depends to some extent on which area of the country you intend to keep the, but usually a three-sided shelter is adequate. With their origins in living at an altitude of over 10,000 feet in Peru, they are hardy in cold weather, but can suffer from excessive heat and humidity. You need to make sure that you have ways of keeping them cool in hot summer weather, otherwise you run the risk of heat stroke.

Is it a good idea to have livestock guard dogs?

That depends on the are in which you live. Feral dogs are usually the biggest problem, but If you have coyotes, mountain lions, bears, etc., in your area, then guard dogs may be a good idea. For most people they are not necessary. Just make sure you have good perimeter fencing.

What kind of fencing do I need?

Alpacas do not usually challenge fences, so the main purpose of fencing is to keep predators out, rather than the alpacas in. The perimeter fencing should be at least 5 feet high, with wire to ground level to deter would-be predators. Cross fencing can be lower, say, four feet, and does not need to be quite as robust.

Most people use four board oak fencing for the perimeter, with 2 x 4 no-climb wire. Cross fences are usually satisfactory if they are four feet high, constructed of the same wire, with a top rail for strength and security.

Is it alright to keep them with horses?

No. Although people have done this, the alpacas are at great risk. One kick from a horse would certainly break bones, and could easily kill an alpaca. They do not have any defense mechanisms against large animals and should always be segregated from them.

Are they really "huggable"?

Alpacas are beautiful, gentle, and curious creatures, and they certainly look 'huggable'. But, for many reasons, excessive contact with them is not good, particularly if they may later be sold. They are livestock, not pets, and while you can spend many wonderful hours watching them, and interacting with them, for their sakes, you need them to relate to, and remain, part of their herd.

There are always exceptions to the rule, and some of them will like contact, but most of the time, they like to remain a little distant. They are more akin to cats in this way, rather than dogs.

I don't have any land - can I still buy alpacas?

Yes. Most breeders offer boarding services (called agistment), both for animals they have sold and for any others you may want to keep. For example, you may buy from a farm some distance away, but want to keep your alpacas nearer to home.

Agistment usually costs around $3 a day, including all feed, routine care, and vaccination costs. You can also work in partnership with some farms, if you have female alpacas. In this case you buy the animals and leave them on the farm where you bought them and the farm looks after them and pays the expenses of upkeep, in return for a half-interest in the offspring.

Can I just invest in alpacas?

Yes, we offer the Alpaca Advantage Syndicate option. In this choice, you join a syndicate of nine other investors, and we buy a herd of 20 alpacas on your behalf. Over a period of four years we maintain the herd and breed to improve the quality of the offspring - increasing the value of your investment. At the end of the four-year term, we sell the herd, and distribute the value between the investors.

An investment of $25,000 could generate a return of over $150,000 in four years.

The syndicate owners can be involved in the management of the herd as much or as little as they wish. They can visit the farm, work with the alpacas, join us at events, show the animals - or just sit back and take the profits!