Farming alpacas can be a very rewarding and profitable
business. If you are just starting out as a breeder, the choices
you make today in designing you barn will have a lasting impact
on the efficiency and scalability of your operation.
Some of the first things any breeder must consider
when designing a barn is the geographic location, the efficient
use of available pasture and herd size (existing and projected).
The best alpaca barns have flexible interior space with ample
room for loafing, hay and feed storage. I have found that using
portable pen sections to create stalls as needed is a very effective
way to manage space.
Dividers and gates in the barn should be thought
out to allow transfer from one pen to the other as well as to
a catch pen centrally located for ease of capturing and or vaccinating
your alpacas. A suitable size area for housing 10 to15 alpacas
is 20x20 feet with free choice access to outdoor pastures.
Fecal piles are a breeding ground for parasites
and should be cleaned often. It is important to design your pens
with ample gate access from one area to another to allow for
efficient cleaning.
The only fixed interior structure I recommend for
breeders in the northern climates is a warming room. This room
can be used to store your medicines and to support cria born
during the winter months.
Alpacas are generally well suited to cold weather.
However, cold wind and rain can be hard on alpacas, especially
suris. So, based upon your geographic location, your barn should
provide sufficient free choice shelter to offer your alpacas
an escape from harsh winter elements.
Additionally, high temperatures can be harmful
as alpacas are susceptible to heat stress. This is especially
true for pregnant or nursing females. If your ranch is located
in an area where the summer months are particularly hot and humid,
a design which shelters your alpacas from the sun and allows
for the free flow of air is important. Evaporative coolers and/or
fans to move the air are essential to the comfort and well being
of your alpacas during periods of extreme heat stress.
A dependable source of good water is essential
for your alpacas. If you live in a cold winter climate, remember
that water freezes when the temperature drops. Alpacas tend to
drink as much water during the cold winter months as they do
in the hot summer months. So, installing ample GFI protected
electric outlets to provide heated water buckets or automatic
watering equipment will insure your alpacas will get the proper
amount of hydration.
Finally, designing your barn in a scalable fashion
will allow you to build a facility to suite your immediate needs
while positioning you for future expansion when needed. If you
would like some ideas, please let us know. We’re here to
help!
