Alpacas

[Tubby]

One of my neighbors is getting ready to sell his alpachas that he uses as pack mules. I don't have any experience with these little guys and was wondering if anyone had anything to say about them? I am seriously thinking about buying them to do backpacking with. They are reasonably priced and experienced.

[CozInCowtown]

Are you in a situation where you can take care of them?
They are not inside pets I am sure you allready know.
Gotta trailer to haul them camping?
Hay?
What is the carrying capacity of your property you plan on keeping them at?
Big decision if you are not ready, prepared or equiped to take care of them.
Food for thaught.
DC

ps.
Do they hauk HUGE LUGIES like llamas?
Nasty critters.

[Ilovelife]

When we first moved in to our house we thought it was neat that our neighbor had them. That was until somehow they started getting out of their enclosure and in to our yard. They never damaged anything but they were a pain to get back in their right place.

[Grandpa]

Great for packing. But along with all the other good comments here, are you really ready to feed and care for them every day you are not packing? Who will care for them if you are leaving overnight and not taking them with?

[Walking Man]

We had a guy who decided that the four that got out of one of our neighbor's fences were vicious animals and shot them. They are gentle but as everyone has said, they do take care like any other livestock. You have to remember vet care as well as everything else mentioned.

[msdoolittle]

If you're unaware, there is a growing market for Alpaca fleece (and if you're lucky enough to get a suri alpaca, oh my goodness). Getting them sheared (by a good shearer) every spring and selling that fleece might bring in enough money to help care and feed them.

I'd love to have alpacas and goats someday. I love fiber, though.

[Tubby]

I didn't think about the fleece. But yes, I am ready to take care of them. I have a neighbor who has cattle and we trade work back and forth. I have a small farm so it's not a problem to have the alpacas on the farm. We have a barn where we could place them in bad weather too. I'm seriously thinking about getting a couple of the little guys.