Alpacas as Pets: Keeping Alpacas on the Hobby Farm

Alpacas are herd animals related to the Llama. They are also becoming very popular for investment farming as their fine, soft fleece is desired all over the world. But the fluttering of their long eyelashes is capturing hearts worldwide as well and more people are becoming interested in keeping alpacas as pets.

In order to keep alpacas, it is important to remember that they are a herd animal, and will live happier, healthier lives if they have the company of at least one other alpaca, preferably two. They must also have a minimum of an acre of land to graze or forage from; up to six alpacas can be kept on an acre of land, but this number may require hand-feeding at various times throughout the year depending on the pasture. A pair of gelded males or a pair of females is ideal and are easily cared for by the beginner.

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Care of the Alpaca

Alpacas are hardy animals, and much of their hands-on care can be done by the Hobby Farmer. Hand-feeding (with hay or alpaca pellets) is only necessary if the pasture is thin or over-grazed; alpacas are excellent grazers and browsers and will try bark or leaves, so it is a good idea to fence off shrubs or trees that are young as they will be eaten. Although alpacas are related to camels, it is important to have a water source available to them at all times.

Alpacas are very curious and also curiously agile. They can jump a fence that sits as high as their chest if so inclined, but will also promptly forget how to jump back home. Electric fencing is not required and can be next to useless because of their protective fleece, but horse fencing is effective.

They require shearing once a year: late Spring or early Summer is the best time. This is generally done by booking a professional shearer who will arrive with his rig and equipment and probably enlist your help to catch and ready the alpaca for shearing. While the animal is in the shearer's rig, it is a good time to vaccinate the alpacas and take the opportunity to trim their nails, which must be done at least a few times a year. Alpacas nails are relatively soft and easily trimmed with the same sharp shears used for trimming the nails of goats or sheep. Nails that are allowed to grow too long can curl placing pressure on the soft pads on the underside of the alpaca's foot.

Alpaca Points of Interest

Alpacas instinctively dislike canines and will protect their herd, which can include sheep, goats and poultry by using an alarm cry (somewhat like a loud donkey yodel) to warn of the predator's presence, or by charging the intruder. When the herd is grazing, there is always an alpaca keeping an eye out for trouble and often a fox or strange dog will be surrounded threateningly by the dominant members of the herd until it chooses to leave the area. However, dogs known to the alpacas are usually tolerated after a while.

Alpacas do spit when displeased or threatened. Although it is only regurgitated grass, it smells hideous and luckily is mostly aimed at other herd members, and rarely humans. Other than the revolting smell, alpaca spit is not dangerous.

The toilet habits of alpacas are fascinating in that the herd will poo in the same places, often lining up to take turns. This turns out to be a good thing for the Hobby Farmer using the manure for the garden because it is easy to shovel up from the pile before composting.

Because of their soft padded feet, alpacas are very gentle on pasture and don't compact the ground like hooved animals do. For this and for their light but warm fleece, they are regarded as environmentally friendly livestock.

As cuddly as alpacas look, particularly when they have their full fleece and fluffy faces, they are not terribly affectionate animals and should not be expected to be as friendly as a horse or donkey may be. They can be trained to the halter and can be happy in the presence of people, but they generally don't like their heads or necks touched, nor do they enjoy being hugged. In fact, alpacas who are overly affectionate and don't respect the personal space of the humans who care for them often represent those few alpacas who try to dominate their human herd with very unpleasant results. However, alpacas on small acreage provide an opportunity to care for and learn about an interesting and curious animal that will protect smaller animals on the property, provide fleece and manure and are a charming aesthetic for the Hobby Farmer. With appropriate expectations and thorough research, alpacas make a very rewarding pet.

Related reads: How to Buy Alpacas