Darlene Crosby

Alpaca at the Motherlode/Motherlode Alpacas

It is amazing to me whenever I come into contact with a new alpaca owner (who purchased elsewhere) how many are not properly prepared to care for their animals before bringing them home after the initial purchase. I truly feel it is the responsibility of the breeder who has sold the animals to follow through and make sure their clients have not only been given the proper training but are given the knowledge of just what supplies are needed both for daily care as well as for care in an emergency. We as humans would never move into a new home without the necessary furnishings as well as foods and supplies necessary for our daily comfort, care and safety. Why are some new owners so under prepared? We as established breeders should not make the mistake of thinking just because we know what to do so will everyone else.

The time to realize the need for these items is not at the time you need them but before. “Hindsight is 20/20” just does not work in times of trouble and distress. As a new owner or shepherd it is your responsibility to properly setup your new facility with the daily needs as well as emergency and maintenance needs.

Here at Alpaca at the Motherlode/Motherlode Alpacas we not only make sure our clients receive their animals but are prepared to care for them as well. We all know that the alpaca needs secure fencing and shelter and of course that is accomplished before animals transport home but it is important and most responsible to provide a good list of what a new owner needs to purchase as well as the resources to obtain these items. I have been to ranches were there was no food purchased for the animals prior to their arrival not to mention the items needed to properly care for the animal. (once again not animals I sold) It is with this concern I write this month’s article.

How To Choose Your First Alpaca

(When All You Know Is You’re In Love)

Darlene Crosby

Mother Lode Alpaca

Making good choices when purchasing your first alpacas is very important, not only for financial reasons but for the future growth of your herd and your eventual success. While all alpacas are very special and cute in their own right, buying from emotions or pressure will not necessarily ensure a good quality starter herd.

It is often stated, “Buy the best you can afford” true in a sense but never dismiss the fact that some breeders will sell a comparable animal for less than others. Why, you ask, well for various reasons. Maybe they need to move some animals and lessen the size of their herd. Maybe they keep some at lower prices because they want your business and would like you to come back to purchase again. Some may just need capital for personal reasons, but beware some of these good deals may not be what they appear. Why as a breeder do I write these statements? Because bottom line is all breeders you visit want to be the one you pick to purchase from, after all, we are all in business.

I do not say this to shock you but to help you make good solid well informed decisions. I want you to succeed in your new endeavors, why because it secures the future health and stability of the entire industry.

It is so very important to do your homework. Visit several breeders, don’t just buy from the biggest or the first person. After all most of us who begin this venture do so with funds which have come from years of saving or investing and we need to make smart informed choices.

Ask questions, glean the truth, read, read, read. Learn what to look for in an animal, their conformation, bloodlines, temperament and yes the follow up reputation of the ranch you are considering purchasing your animals from. Ask for references.

It is so very important that after the purchase, you have chosen a ranch which will be there for you. You will have questions, and you will need information on the care of the alpacas both in normal circumstances and emergency. You want to purchase from a ranch that will stand behind the animals they sell.

I am proud to say in the years we have enjoyed being a part of this industry we have seen and heard of countless times breeders have stood behind their clients, offering help in times of trouble, helping to transport sick animals and sitting with other new breeders at the hospital in the middle of the night. Driving longs distances to help with a first or difficult birth. Believe me that is the kind of established breeder you want to purchase from. Breeders who support you as your herd continues to grow into greater size and thus places you in an established ranch category.

Sadly, I have also seen new breeders who have purchased on impulse and have suffered both emotionally and financially due to their choice. Many of us have been there in the middle of the night to help new breeders who purchased from a ranch that have long forgotten them. Thankfully, most established breeders are wonderful, caring and supportive people.

Make sure you have obtained a good purchasing agreement (contract) which clearly states what your are purchasing as well as any negotiated extras, get it all in writing. This leaves room for no future misunderstandings.

Consider insuring your herd to protect your investment. Make sure your ranch is set up for the safety of your new animals. Learn about the care and feeding needs before you bring them home. Also make sure you have a good personal working relationship with a veterinarian who has prior knowledge of your ranch location before a emergency occurs. Establish a relationship with other alpaca breeders in your area. Exchange emergency information, such as cell phone numbers, animal evacuation procedures, transport etc. in case of fire, earthquake, tornadoes etc.

A good working relationship with other breeders will allow you to not only to help each other, but will form a networking group for marketing purposes as well as fellowship between ranches. In our area, our local breeders get together once a month for an evening of fun, food and socializing. We have not only had times of fun but have also been able to be there for each other in times of emergency.

Consider joining the local alpaca affiliate associated with the national breed association. (AOBA- Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association) Get plugged into some new buyers clinics, go to an alpaca show, search the internet and buy some good informative books on alpacas.

In closing, purchase from a breeder from which you get good input, feel comfortable and who is proving to you by means of good follow up and honest communication that they are going to be there for you both before and after the sale. Alpacas are a wonderful, peaceful and great lifestyle, one if entered into intelligently will yield years of profit and fulfillment.

Until next time……

When starting a new venture it is very important to have a business plan. While it is true that a few alpaca ranchers can buy an entire herd of 20 or more alpacas at once, most of the small breeders do not start with such a large investment or herd of animals

When you enter the alpaca business with a desire to retire to the rural lifestyle or sustain yourself and your family financially, you must first design and institute a plan. A goal in which you not only prepare for your initial investment; but develop it thoroughly for the years to come. An old saying applies here; "Proper planning prevents poor performance." And thus it is with the alpaca ranching industry.

If you are a breeder who resides on small acreage, (as many of us do) it is utmost to your eventual success that you purchase your initial herd with an eye that looks ahead. For example; let’s say you can purchase 4 to 5 animals with your beginning investment. Here it is wise to be careful. It would be very easy to buy emotionally and purchase a herd of cute crias (baby alpacas). Not a problem if you have a lot of time to build your herd, but if retirement is only a few years away, the better decision would be to purchase bred adult females.

In a year or less you will have doubled the size of the herd. It is also a good idea to negotiate a free bred back to a stud of your choice from a ranch were you have purchased your bred females.

Now add to that the purchase of a good stud prospect, say one about 1 to 2 years of age. If all goes well, you have in place a male to breed your unrelated females to in a couple of years. These methods allow you to possibly purchase another animal or two in the next couple of years or to put money into continued ranch improvements and beginning advertising.

It is also important to get the name of your ranch out there in the public eye. It helps your business to gain and build confidence and recognition.?

Keep in mind the zoning regulations of the county in which you reside as your herd continues to grow towards your planned limit.

In the meantime, you may desire to bring in some extra income to help offset the expenses of running a ranch.

Here is where the idea of agisting or boarding might come into play. What a great way not only bring in more income but to get a real feel for caring for a larger herd on a daily basis.

If, as it is with most small ranches, you face size limitations due to the zoning rules, agisting allows you to decrease the size of your agistment animals as your own herd grows. This plan allows you to use your land to its full potential.

Other ways you may earn extra income while waiting for your herd to grow is to broker animals for others. This simply means that you board another’s animal with the full intension of selling it for them as quickly as you can and thus earn yourself not only a commission from the owners but boarding fees for their care until the sale.

Bringing other outside females in for breeding to your stud is great way of earning income.

Special care for orphaned cria, or injured animals is another great way to bring in needed income. Sometimes you may provide care for another by doing special birthing service for the owner whom is still working a full time job and cannot be home to watch for impending births.

A small ranch store is also a great way to not only sell but educate the public on what a wonderful fiber alpaca truly is to own and wear.

Join with other ranches in your area in sharing the cost of advertising in trade magazines or putting on new buyer’s clinics.

These are some ideas that allow you to be "in the game" and compete with the bigger ranches.

An agricultural endeavor such as alpaca ranching is not only possible but highly desirable both financially, (profits and great tax benefits) spiritually and emotionally. It is truly a stress free lifestyle and incredibly enjoyable.

                                         (printed in American Livestock Magazine)
My husband and I fell in love with alpacas the day we first set eyes on them. We knew that they had to be a part of our lives. It was quite tempting the possibilities not only to earn an income and great tax benefits but also to partake of the great American dream and do something you love. We knew that there is nothing cuter than babies be it the human kind or animal kind. I can tell you that you definitely experience the gamut of emotions when your eyes first gaze on that new little creature called a cria (baby alpaca).

When we first purchased our alpacas, a small herd of three pregnant females and a stud we had only a short wait as all three were due in about three to four months. I can tell you it seemed like a lot longer as we anxiously waited for their arrival. Alpacas are pregnant for about eleven months. We were blessed with the births of beautiful baby girls. Sadly our first, a male was born early and stillborn. We have experienced the joy of watching them grow into adults but we are joyfully enjoying their crias being born on our ranch.

Part of the excitement is wondering and watching the females blossom (yes, they blossom too) while waiting for the birth of their crias. It is great waiting to see if the cria is a boy or a girl, what color they are and what type of markings they may have as well. You see, alpacas have only been in this country for a few years. Many animals are direct imports, thus making it at times a guessing game as to which of the 22 natural colors you are going to get. Pacas are like a box of chocolates; you never know what you are going to get!

At our ranch we not only birth our own alpacas but those that are boarded here with us, and those who require special care (see article "Almost Twins" December 2001 issue) It is important to be around 24-7 as the special day approaches. Sometimes human intervention is necessary to save the life of the cria or its mother. As with all births sometimes a little help is necessary. Although most births proceed just fine, there is the occasional birth that needs help. For some reason some are born early and have little chance of survival or have no chance unless some extra things are done such a supplemental feedings by humans in the case of a female with little or no milk. Sometimes as with humans the cria is not lined up correctly in the birth canal and you need to help and get everything in alignment. But, there is something really satisfying about being a part of helping a little cria survive and thrive. Even in the rare cases you loose one you are sad but inside you know that you gave it your best shot.

Alpacas make wonderful mothers and are quite protective of their newborns; in fact the whole herd takes part in protecting each other. When they perceive a threat one or more let out what is called an alarm call. Believe me when you hear this you come running to see what all the ruckus is about! Most of the time it is nothing but you always check on your precious cargo.

When waiting for the birth it is most important to assemble what is known as a "cria kit" which contains the items necessary to care for the cria upon its arrival. Items you will find in there are usually a stethoscope, nasal suction aspirator, towels, petroleum jelly, antiseptic for the umbilical cord, thermometer to name some of the items needed. Some ranches have oxygen on hand. It is also most important to have a scale with which to daily weigh the cria. Most cria’s birth weight is usually 12 to 18 pounds. It is very important to monitor the cria’s weight as it will tell you if they are receiving sufficient nutrition from mom, in the case of a mom without enough milk, you must supplement usually with goats milk and a little plain yogurt.

Alpaca cria are up and about with in hours of their births, watching them stand for the first time is quite amazing as well as very amusing. Those long legs are very wobbly and the cria take a flop here and there, but in no time are up and looking for their first gourmet meal. It is important that they receive the "first milk" from mom as it contains very important antibodies. It is such fun to watch them as they begin to run for the first time out in the pasture with the other newborns. They play and frolic and are quite a blast to watch in the evening as the pronk around and around. It is one of lives very best stress relievers. Alpacas are quite inquisitive and such fun to be around.

Nothing beats a paca kiss at the end of the day