The Allure of Alpacas
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Anyone who is privileged to share their lives with alpacas is often asked what attracts them to this lifestyle. There is a common theme in the possible answers. Quite simply, raising alpacas brings a balance to our lives like nothing else we have had the good fortune to experience. The daily care of our alpacas provides a connection to basic life cycles, changing seasons, the joys and sorrows of birth, and the rewards of working at something we love. The challenges of livestock husbandry, the financial benefits of owning a personal business, and the goal setting for continual improvement of our breeding stock all factor into making the alpaca lifestyle quietly addictive.
We've assembled a collection of worthwhile articles to help you learn about this wonderful industry. Take your time, and browse through our growing resources page. Enjoy!
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View a video of an actual cria (baby alpaca) birth
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 There is no doubt about it. One of the most exciting aspects of breeding and raising alpacas is witnessing the actual birth. Alpacas have deeply ingrained instincts about timing of the birth of their young, and with no complications, most births take place during that "perfect" window of 10 am to 2 pm. Normal births are noted by perfect baby position, quick (under an hour) active labor, strong vigorous cria, active, up and nursing quickly, mom producing lots of milk and colostrom, and let's top off our wish list with a mildly warm sunny day so everyone enjoys the experience. Although, not all births are textbook perfect, we did capture on video one of our experienced moms doing it all by the book. Take a look at what we consider to be a perfect delivery.
Microsoft Window Format - Video Only (3,307K) Apple QuickTime Format - Video Only (12,306k)
In Addition to a neonatal class for all new breeders, we strongly recommend a copy of:
"Llama and Alpaca Neonatal Care" written by
Bradford B. Smith, DVM, PhD
Karen I. Timm, DVM, PhD
Patrick O. Long DVM
We feel the key to successful alpaca birthing is keen observation, understanding what is "normal" and knowing when it is appropriate to call in veterinary assistance.
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Solving Major Behavioral Problems in Thirty Seconds
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By Marty McGee Bennett, CAMELIDynamics
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I am only partly kidding. If you haven’t paid very close attention to halter fit and you are having trouble with one of your alpacas, you may be able to solve the problem in thirty seconds. I have worked with hundreds of difficult alpacas that were difficult only because they were in fear for their lives every second they wore a halter...
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Tacking Toenails with out Tackling your Camelid
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By Marty McGee Bennett, CAMELIDynamics
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When I teach clinics the topic that tops the list is trimming toenails and picking up feet. It is perhaps the most problematic aspect of camelid management. Understanding why it is so hard for llamas and alpacas to allow a human to handle their feet is a big part of moving through the problem so we will talk about understanding why...
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Stonyridge Alpacas: Hooked on the Alpaca Business
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By Kim Andresen, WebArtists.biz News From The Web - Alpaca Edition, January 2004 Issue
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Three years ago Linda and Wayne Buttolph visited the Phillip Foster Farms Alpaca Excursion in Eagle Creek Oregon and fell instantly in love. That day they went home as proud new Alpaca owners and Stonyridge Alpacas was born. In the first two years they invested $100,000 and at the end of three years they have realized a 50% return on their investment, and with ten cria expected this year (all with top-notch bloodlines) the hope is....
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Financial Aspects of Alpaca Ownership
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Published by the Alpaca Owners & Breeders Association (AOBA)
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Why do people in so many countries call alpacas "The world's finest livestock business?" For any business asset to be valuable, it must possess certain qualities that make it desirable...
Chapters:
1. Introduction
2. Who Buys Alpacas?
3. Supply & Demand
4. Alpaca Values
5. Capital Requirements
6. Hands-On Ownership
7. Financial Observations
8. Tax Consequences
9. Financing
10. Creating a Herd
11. Purchase Contracts
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