Alpacas!?? Any info appreciated.

[emandeli]

I wasn't sure where to ask some questions because under the animal section, there isn't an "other" thread. We have just gotten three alpacas and two more to come. That's about all I know so far, lol! They are males, brown and black. They will have 14 acres to roam and feed and a small forest of trees for coverage. There is a small lean-to type thing that we have with sides (used to be small pen thing for hay) that we will take sides out for them to go under. We are picking up some of the added treat/vitamin mix stuff to feed them today. It doesn't get overly cold out here but I think this year it will freeze more and there has been a little snow on the mountains already. They were sheared in the spring, dewormed, vaccinations. I have lots and lots of questions. I have been reading online but wanted to get some info firsthand from people who own them.

They are outside enjoying themselves and I can't help but keep going out and talking to them, watching them. They are beautiful animals. They aren't as big as I initially thought they were. Beautiful eyes and ears. Anyhow, it's wet here and their fur (??fleece?) is wet. They stand in the rain! Is this normal or are they scared to go under the trees? Perhaps we need to build a proper barn? Anyhow, any experience is appreciated! Pics to come soon!

[wogglebug]

Most animals can stand a lot worse weather than most people would ever dream, particularly if they have a windbreak to use in cold sleety weather. It's wet, cold, wind and no shelter all together that is dangerous for grown animals (more shelter needed for babies, if you ever get to that). Alpacas can stand the weather in the Andes mountains. They may need more shelter (say a grove of trees) and certainly need watching if the weather turns bad right after they are shorn. We had a neighbour who lost several HUNDRED sheep overnight when the weather went bad (late spring cold snap, wind and sleet) just after they were shorn.

[Callieslamb]

they can stand the weather - it's what it's doing to the fleece that you might want to worry about - if you are planning on using or selling the fleeces.