It’s common knowledge that a website plays a major role in an alpaca farm’s marketing strategy. But the question alpaca ranch owners are now asking is "How do I get more from my website?"
With advances in Internet technology, alpaca website owners can take advantage of more options for building exposure and generating leads online. So if you’ve wondered whether you should start a blog, run a...
There is a large push to be more user friendly in what we do on a daily basis. This includes farming and everything that goes with it. There have been a variety of investigations on the environmental impact of camelids, including their containment, shelter, feed intake, water intake, fecal output, fecal examination for pathogens and pasture management. These are the results of the studies by...
Having a cria is one of the most exciting, and nerve wracking times for me. I love each and every one of the babies we've had. I also love the mother alpacas that much more, watching truly love and care for her baby.
There are very few signs that actually tell you that a baby will be born today. However, a combination of these signs may indicate that another alpaca is on its way.
There are very few signs that actually tell you that a baby will be born today. However, a combination of these signs may indicate that another alpaca is on its way.
- The mother...
We recently began to test our own samples instead of running them to the lab. It is easy to do once you are set up. It takes a little time, but once you get it, you will save money and potentially time from the lab. It is crucial that a sugar floatation is used because of the type of worms alpacas can carry.
What you need:
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Fixed head centrifuge with speeds up to 2500 rpms (bought ours online for...
Understanding Alpaca Talk
To fully understand your alpacas, you need to learn to lamaspeak. To do that, get yourself a glass of lemonade, and take a comfy lawn chair out where your alpacas are; sit down and observe as they interact with one another. Spend an hour or two a week watching your alpacas and soon you'll be an expert in their language. Below are are some of the sounds and actions you're...
Alpaca Breeding
Summer time is always so full of life - the flowers, the babies, the birds and the bees. When I first began to breed alpacas, it opened up a whole new process for me and, in truth, made me a little skirmish. However, over time I have come to realize it is just anatomy and how things get done to put a little baby on the ground. So, here is a step by step in the alpaca breeding...
"Plan for Success" has been a principle guiding many people to happy and prosperous lives. That time-tested adage has great application for setting up or expanding an alpaca ranching facility.
When looking into designing or expanding an alpaca ranch, consider site location, general layout, barns, interior features, pens / runs, pastures and quarantine facilities.
Site Location
Farms and acreages all... 
Premature alpaca cria
Alpaca babies are lovely fluffy creatures, usually full of life and active from birth. Once completely out of the mother’s womb andon the ground, the baby should start to wiggle and move, kicking its legs and breathing the air to start inflating its lungs. It should work to sit up and cush
Occasionally, one will...
Plants that are Poisonous to Alpacas
When I started putting a list together of plants toxic to alpacas, I was amazed that any of our animals are still alive!
While there are a lot of plants on this list, it is not exhaustive. Please speak with your veterinarian in your area to discuss other potentially toxic plants to alpacas.
| Aconite | Doll's Eyes | Oxalis |
| Acorns | Drymary | Pacific Poison Oak |
| African rue | Dumb... |
A friend decided to initiate her new wood stove pizza oven last night, and I was asked to join them. With a dozen people invited, we all stowed away in the shaded alcove, protected from the blazing 96 F heat on a June Montana evening. Initially I did not know anyone at the party, introducing myself with a repeated smile and handshake. And yet, with 12 other people at the party, every one of...
FEEDING CRIA
Cria have no antibodies when born, and are unable to fight infection and disease. Cria obtain antibodies from their mother’s milk. The first milk is creamy sticky milk, called colostrum, with high levels of antibodies in it. A cria’s bowel can only absorb these antibodies in the first 12 to 24 hours of life. If a cria misses out on colostrums, it will be prone to infection.After a cr...
Agisting Alpacas - Alpaca Owners without the Land
There are many ways to own alpacas, and one of them is owning them without the land. We have a dozen or so agisted - or boarded - alpacas on our farm. Their owners are either in the transition of creating their own farms or do not have the appeal as I do to work with alpacas around the clock, on their camelid schedule.
As with all livestock, and...