The Alpaca Lifestyle

Alpacas are more than just a unique family pet or an unusual livestock business. Owning alpacas is a lifestyle choice with benefits and opportunities for the whole family. People have discovered that raising alpacas can add a new dimension to family life in terms of relaxation, fun, and a potential source of income. If this lifestyle sounds inviting to you, read on!

How to Get Started

If you want to learn more about this opportunity, there are many resources available on eBay and the internet.  Here are some specific tips for getting started:

1. The best way to learn about alpacas is to spend time on an alpaca farm!  Visit at least three farms before you decide whether alpacas are right for you.  Each breeder's philosophy and methods are a little different and it's important to get multiple perspectives.
   
2. If you like what you see, join the national Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association (alpacainfo.com).  This small investment gets you a subscription to Alpacas Magazine, access to a library full of great information, and other support services.  It also gets your name into the loop so you can receive information about farms, shows and educational events around the country.
3. Attend alpaca events like open farm days, show ring competitions, the AOBA national conference and other regional educational events.  These events create great networking opportunities and are lots of fun.  Go to the AOBA website for a calendar of events.
4. If you decide to move forward, develop your business plan first.  Decide what you want to do in the alpaca industry.  Will you start with pet-quality alpacas or begin with breeding stock?  Do you want to start producing offspring quickly by purchasing bred females, or do you want to start more slowly by producing younger maidens?  How will fiber production and products factor into your plan?  Where do you see your venture 5 and 10 years from now?  A "Getting Started Guide" can help you determine the best path for you to take.
5. Step back and take a realistic look at your financial resources.  Get different opinions about the cost to purchase and maintain quality alpacas.  Consider other costs such as equipment and supplies.  Do you have adequate shelter and fencing?  Ask established breeders how long it took them to acheive profitability and how they did it.  Consult your local tax advisor and/or financial planner about how alpaca ownership will fit into your overall financial goals.
6. Locate a caring local veterinarian with camelid experience or one that is eager and willing to learn about caring for alpacas.  Schedule an appointment with him/her before you make your first purchase and ask what vaccinations are required for your area and what parasites to be concerned about.  Purchase a copy of Dr. Norman Evan's Alpaca Field Manual and carefully study it. Purchase a copy for your vet if he/she has limited camelid experience.
7. When you are ready to make your first purchase, focus on quality, not quantity.  If you are purchasing pet quality alpacas, focus on temperment and ease of handling.  If you are buying breeding stock, focus on fiber quality (50%), conformation (40%) and temperment (10%).  For breeding stock, choose only ARI registered alpacas.
8. Locate a local source for hay and feed supplements and understand how to obtain and interpret a forage analysis.  Go to your local farm supply store and inquire about purchasing buckets, feeders, gates and other equipment.  Decide which grain and mineral supplements you will use and where you can obtain them.

Now that you have followed all these steps, pat yourself on the back for taking the time to thouroughly investigating and preparing for this life-changing venture.  Rasing alpacas is hard work at times, but for most people who have alpacas, it is a labor of love.

Alpaca Products       

Many people are interested in the incredibly soft alpaca wool and the wonderful clothing and accessories that can be made from it. Whether it's the animal or the fiber, it's easy to fall in love with alpacas.

For those people who are really into alpacas, there are many other interesting alpaca related products available.  Some of these include stuffed bears and other toys, jewelry, pottery, rugs, figurines, and even signs.