Although they’re still not as commonplace as sheep, alpacas have become an increasingly popular farm animal. Their fleeces fetch good money, the animals are generally quite docile and easy to keep, and they can be kept with and even protect other farm animals.
It does take time before alpacas mature enough to give their fleece value, but if you are raising this member of the Camlidae family, we have listed 10 essential alpaca supplies that you will need. Keep reading to learn more!
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Food
1. Food Trough
- Our Choice: Little Giant – Hook Over Feed Trough
Alpacas will eat hay and pasture from your fields for part of the year, but this will likely need to be supplemented with good hay and commercial feed at least some of the time. A food trough prevents food from getting on the floor, ensuring your alpacas can access the food and preventing waste that is created when feeding on the floor.
The Little Giant Hook Over Goat Trough is also suitable for alpacas, has a 9-quart capacity, and its hooks make it easy to place over a gate, fence, or other immovable objects.
2. Water Trough
- Our Choice: Little Giant Poly Oval Stock Tank
Like any livestock, alpacas also need regular access to clean, fresh drinking water. It needs to be easy to empty and fill, accessible so that it can be cleaned, and should provide unfettered access to the water inside.
The Little Giant Poly Oval Stock Tank has a 15-gallon capacity. Its oval design prevents mess from getting stuck in the corners, and it has a drain hole that can be used to fill and empty the trough when required.
3. Hay Net
- Our Choice: Shires Equestrian Products Deluxe Horse Hay Net, 40-in
While your alpacas will benefit from fresh grass and pasture when it is available, you will have to provide commercial hay for at least some of the year. A hay net can be hung up making it easier for your alpacas to access the grass inside and it also helps prevent hay from blowing around a barn or field.
The Shires Equestrian Products Deluxe Horse Hay Net will fit half a bale of hay, is durable, and has metal hooks that make it easy to open and close.
4. Feed Scoop
- Our Choice: Pet Champion 3QT Feed Scoop
A feed scoop lets you quickly transfer food from a storage container to a trough without it spilling all over the floor. This will be especially useful once your alpacas have learned when mealtimes are.
The Pet Champion Feeding Scoop holds 3 quarts, so it is big enough that you won’t have to spend hours shoveling food from one bucket to another but convenient enough that it can be easily handled and wielded.
5. Food
- Our Choice: Mazuri Alpaca & Llama Maintenance Alpaca & Llama Food
Alpacas are grazing animals. They will feed on the grass in your pastures. They also enjoy treats including carrots and apples, broccoli, and turnips. Commercial food is not only beneficial for those times of the year when you can’t get hold of top-quality hay but can also be used to supplement essential vitamins and minerals that might be missing from their diet. This can be especially important if your local grass lacks essential minerals.
Mazuri Alpaca and Llama Maintenance Food has been formulated in conjunction with veterinary experts and includes amino acids, yeast cultures, and a host of vitamins and minerals to ensure a healthy diet for adult alpacas.
Warmth
6. Alpaca Coats
- Our Choice: Weatherbeeta Goat Coat
Alpacas are well-known for their coats, which offer them warmth and some protection from the rain. However, depending on your local climate, you may need to provide your herd with some extra protection against the elements. Alpaca coats are similar in design to goat and even horse coats, and the size you need to buy will depend on the size of your alpacas.
For medium and moderately-sized alpacas, a goat coat will fit well and offer protection. The Weatherbeeta Goat Coat is breathable, protects against the rain and cold, and fits securely around the front, belly, and legs.
Care And Maintenance
7. Halters
- Our Choice: Halter-All Alpaca Halter
Halter training an alpaca is essential for shows and is also beneficial for farming because it allows you greater control over the animal. It is especially useful for activities like shearing and for veterinary checks. The halter should fit securely but should not prevent feeding or drinking and should not cause discomfort.
The Halter-All Alpaca Halter comes in a range of designs and colors, as well as in small, medium, and large sizes. It is a figure-eight halter made from double polyester that is long-lasting and strong while still being soft and comfortable.
8. Wheelbarrow
- Our Choice: Gorilla Carts GOR4PS Poly Dump Cart, Multi-Purpose Garden Wagon with Steel Frame
One of the joys of farming alpacas is that they are considered clean animals. Most will litter in the same area, which makes picking up their poop considerably easier. But no matter how clean they are, alpacas, like any animal, produce waste. So, you will want to ensure the waste is cleaned up before it piles high.
The Gorilla Carts GOR4PS Poly Garden Dump Cart is a dump-cart-style wheelbarrow that will hold up to 600 pounds of waste. It has a quick-release dumping mechanism so it can be emptied easily, and its four wheels and handle make it easy to move around the fields.
9. Shears
- Our Choice: Dragro Upgraded Sheep Shears 500W
A lot of owners choose to use a professional shearing service because they have all the necessary tools and can typically shear a herd of alpacas in a fraction of the time you would be able to. However, you should still have a set of shears available to get rid of any knots or in the case you choose to do the shearing yourself.
The Dragro Upgraded Sheep Shears have a maximum speed of 2,400 reps per minute, so it will make easy work of your alpaca’s fleece. They have adjustable speed settings and are designed for use on sheep, alpacas, and other livestock.
10. Nail Trimmers
- Our Choice: Goat Hoof Trimmer Foot Rot Trimming Shears Nail Trimmer
Alpacas typically need their nails trimmed every 2–3 months, and if you have lighter-colored alpacas, they might need more frequent trimming than darker alpacas. Trimmed nails won’t cause discomfort and can prevent injury and damage to others.
These 8-Inch Hoof Trimmers are made from a high carbon steel that can handle alpaca nails. They have hardened plastic handles that give a good grip and won’t break, and the strengthened spring ensures a secure cut every time.
Other Supplies
There are other supplies that you will need to care for your alpaca. For example, you will benefit from finding a local source of high-protein hay, and although alpacas do not need a barn, they do need a three-sided house to protect them from the elements. It is possible to build the barn yourself or use an existing outbuilding or another animal shelter already in place. If you are breeding the alpacas, you will also need supplies to take care of the cria, or young.
Conclusion
The 10 essential supplies listed above will help ensure you can offer your alpaca all of its daily requirements. Alpacas are hardy animals and can be kept with other livestock. They can even help protect sheep and goats because they have a keen sense of sight and will raise a very audible alarm if they believe they see an incoming predator or other threat.
Featured Image Credit: Thomas Devenish, Shutterstock