Keeping Alpacas

Grazing & Paddocks

Alpacas are very efficient grazers and stocking rates will differ according to your location and the weather; up to 10 an acre is fine as long as there is enough land to rotate and rest the grass and prevent a build up of pests and disease. 5/6 to an acre is a normal stocking rate.

In our experience, alpacas graze the land more evenly when in paddocks or small fields but we try to balance this with their love of roaming and meandering!! Ad-lib hay should be available all year round as alpacas are browsers and enjoy a variety of plants.

Before putting alpacas out to graze, the land should be checked for dangerous objects, poisonous plants & hedging such as ragwort, privet and laurel.

Clean water should be available at all times – alpacas love water and quite often paddle in the water containers so they should be checked regularly. They are also quite fussy about clean water and will often not drink stale or contaminated supplies.

Fencing

Standard stock fencing topped with 2 rows of plain wire or a rail is adequate as alpacas rarely challenge fencing; an alternative is post and rail either close or with sheep wire securely fixed. Barbed wire should not be used as it can cause injury, particularly to the eyes and nose, when the animals rub up against it or try to scratch.

A catch pen in each field is a very useful idea. Even better, is a central area of catch pens, shelter and storage – it saves time, arguments and makes training and routine husbandry much easier! Pens can be made from fencing materials, though it is best to avoid netting to prevent animals catching their feet and legs; cattle hurdles are a good alternative as is close post & rail fencing.

Shelter

Alpacas are very hardy animals but appreciate shelter from the worst of the weather in the winter and shade from the sun in the summer. A three sided shelter, protected from the prevailing winter wind is best.