In 2011 we decided that we would like some animals that would complement the arena business and our birds.  After some research we decided to give alpacas a try.  We had both seen them many years before but neither of us had the opportunity to pursue the thought of owning these pretty animals.  So after a flurry of activity with included clearing land, building shelters and fencing, 5 female alpacas came to join us in February 2011.

 We enjoyed owning these 5 so much we purchased two more, which in turn lead to our first sales as not all the girls got on.  Shortly after that the two males came to join us.  Alpacas can be registered just like dogs.  They are identified by tattoo or microchip and given a registration number which follows them from owner to owner. 

Our Original 5 Girls

Alpacas eat very little food (approximately 1 cup of pellets twice a day and ½ - 1 pound of free choice hay or pasture per animal) and therefore require only a small amount of acreage per animal, alpacas are herd animals so they have to be kept in groups of two or more.  Alpacas are very social animals and communicate to each other with humming noises, body and head movements. They also have a distress call to alert the rest of the herd of danger.  Some of you may have heard the chirping noise they make when they are alarmed by your dogs. Alpacas are friendly and very curious.. Alpacas have no teeth on top in the front and do not bite; they have soft feet with pads under their toe nails, and a non-aggressive personality. They produce fibre that is fine as cashmere, soft, silky and much warmer than sheep’s wool. Alpacas come in a whole range of colors, 22 basic colors and then 250 different shades. Alpacas are shorn once a year in the spring. Alpaca fleece is 7x warmer than sheep wool.   Larry took a shearing course in New York state and using the knowledge he gained there he is able to shear the alpacas.