Alpacas are gentle, easy keepers, but they do need a few specific things. These are the feed, handling, health, and shearing basics every small-farm alpaca owner should have.
Sections
4
Feed & Daily Care
Handling & Health
Shearing Season
Read on the Blog
Feed & Daily Care
Good hay, the right pellets, and minerals made for camelids.
A pelleted feed made for alpacas and llamas. Hay is the main meal; a small daily ration of this fills the gaps.
Mazuri® Alpaca & Llama Maintenance Diet
A slow-feed hay net cuts down on wasted hay and keeps them grazing slowly, the way they like to eat.
T TEKE Classic Slow Hay Feeder 40" 2" Holes
Alpacas need minerals made for camelids, not general livestock blends. Keep it free-choice in a covered feeder.
Alpaca Mineral Supplement 5kg - Premier Camelid
Handling & Health
Halters, toenail trimmers, and first-aid basics for routine checks.
An adjustable halter sized for alpacas. A good fit sits high on the nose bone so it never presses on their breathing.
PFIFF 103101 Alpaca Halter Pako, Adjustable Size
Sharp hand trimmers for alpaca toenails. Trim every couple of months so they walk comfortably.
Zenport QZ142 Hoof Trimmer & Floral Cutter
A gentle, no-sting spray for scrapes and small cuts. Good to keep in the barn first-aid kit.
Vetericyn Plus All Animal Wound and Skin Care
Shearing Season
Once a year in spring, the fleece comes off. A few things make the day smoother.
If you shear your own herd, this is a solid, quieter shearing machine. Many small farms hire a shearer instead, and that's fine too.
Heiniger Xpert 2-speed sheep shearing machine
Read on the Blog
Life with our six alpacas, and what to know before you get your own.
Meet our six alpacas and the lessons they've taught me about patience and slow living.
My 6 Alpacas and the Unexpected Lessons They Taught Me
Thinking about getting alpacas? Read this first. The honest version of what they need.
Are Alpacas Good Pets? What to Know Before You Fall for Those Ears
42 surprising alpaca facts, from their teeth to why they hum.
42 Interesting Facts About Alpacas Most People Don’t Know (With Surprising Details)
