5 Things to Know Before You Buy Alpacas

[@Farweasel]

I'm told it takes 3 Huacaya Alpacas to make one really nice jumper. That's OK. But how long does it take to teach them to knit?

[@ButterfieldAlpacaRanch]

Good one

[@sueb-t2183]

hahahahaha! love it!

[@therizinosaurs]

Farweasel probably about 10,000 years

[@charlottewalnut3118]

Farweasel well I taught a goat to sword fight in 3 weeks so I’d say 4 weeks

[@debmorton3310]

😂

[@staceyw.6608]

You're videos are so honest and encouraging at the same time! Thank you!

[@ButterfieldAlpacaRanch]

Awe! 🤗 👍 that’s wonderful to hear

[@ValyElle]

Tashia I think you are very good on camera and I love all the passion you make in your job!

[@ButterfieldAlpacaRanch]

Thank you!

[@dabzvapelord]

agreed

[@serenaselstead4767]

Great info. I used to live. Up in farm land and always drove by this house that had em and now I'm dreaming about being able to get some land and some alpacas and llamas.

[@djv2413]

I love your videos!! You're an excellent speaker & inspirational! You're clear, precise, easy to understand & down-to-earth. Thank you so much for sharing!

[@benburger230]

So hard to find affordable land! First obstacle is a big one!

[@VK-qo1gm]

For the past 2 yrs' on my way to work, I've been seeing this 1 small alpaca in someone's small backyard. Without much thought, I went & asked the ppl who live there if they were happy for me to take the alpaca to my place, I felt utterly devastated re it's living conditions. They immediately agreed, that was the first time I got to see it up close, the fleece needs shearing, long twisted toenails, & what concerns me the most it started to jump all over the owner, & trying to invade my space, scared the hell out of me. I still haven't arranged a time to pick it up. I'm worried about the jumping, is it beserk syndrome or just lonely & happy to see someone? We have a few cows, few sheep, & have plenty of acreage, we wouldn't want anymore alpacas, I just wanted to save this one from its unhealthy environment, & give her a good home, Am I doing the right thing? I just can't bare to watch it so lonely & hungry everyday, they think she is about 4 yrs' old. Sorry for long post, really need some advice

[@Lily_and_River]

From what I've heard Alpaca's are herd animals and need to be in a group of at least 3. If you're not interested in getting more alpaca's maybe you can look if there are others in your area that already have a herd? But I would definitely get the Alpaca out of there and get a vet to look at him.

[@ButterfieldAlpacaRanch]

Staying with you is a step in the right direction but she cannot be alone. Like Lily&River said, alpacas are strongly herd oriented. Unfortunately, other species do not make good substitutes. I applaud you for saving her from that other environment but she does needs friends. If you don’t want more alpacas, look for someone who already has a herd and is familiar with BMS. She may or may not have BMS. Time with other alpacas and people who are willing to work with her will tell. Check out alpacainfo.com to find alpaca owners near you. P.S. don’t let her jump on you. Take charge. You will likely get spit on but she cannot be allowed to be aggressive toward you.

[@ericabalko916]

Thank you for this video. You are very easy to listen to and watch. We are thinking through livestock. Are alpacas aggressive? I’m not sure how to tell in young alpacas.

[@ButterfieldAlpacaRanch]

Hi Erica! Thank you for your compliment. In general, alpacas are not aggressive. Intact males will be aggressive with one another but not toward people. However, if they are mishandled or overhandled when they are young, they can be aggressive as they mature. This is a behavioral disorder known as Berserk Male Syndrome. I have a video on that as well. My best advise as you research alpacas is to visit as many alpaca farms as you can. Then, when you are ready to buy, purchase from people who will mentor you as new owners. This is a common practice so they shouldn’t be hard to find.

[@AA-ur4vt]

You were Very helpful! I’m doing my research and this is solid advice! Thank you!

[@ButterfieldAlpacaRanch]

Great! I’m glad this was helpful. 😊

[@cacatr4495]

Wonderful, explanatory video; I suspect you're about to have a new subscriber. You concisely explain why each point is so important > Good Job! It is disconcerting to watch a video that leaves more questions and concerns than it answers, while in this video, your clarity leaves us feeling assured to that level. That's a BIG thumbs up, Thank you! You're a very efficient communicator, articulate, sufficiently detailed, never overwhelming, pleasant, educationally thorough to the context. We love that!

[@ButterfieldAlpacaRanch]

😊 Thanks!

[@ButterfieldAlpacaRanch]

Thank you

[@cynthiat9089]

Our dream has been to start an Alpaca farm, we are actively starting to do our homework and see if it is something we can make come true. Thank you for your videos. Ideally, we would like to quit our jobs and fully dedicate to the alpaca farm. How many Alpacas would you say you would need in order to be able to sustain from the business? Thanks!

[@ButterfieldAlpacaRanch]

Depends on what streams of income you’d like to focus on. The most popular are breeding (selling breeding stock) and fiber (creating products to sell to the public). Each are very different business models.

[@annekinne1232]

Thank you keep these up!

[@susanflakes6968]

The farmer I am purchasing my alpacas from is considering my request of his coming to my farm and being my farm manager. This would be perfect for my plan.

[@teresaw.7950]

Thanks Tashia - I love that you have organized the videos from go to whoa. You should have your own TV show......:)

[@ButterfieldAlpacaRanch]

😊 thanks

[@JreneeStyles]

Do you have any suggestions of the various different sources tn researching the type of grass to have or use on our pastures?

[@MKRM27]

Google

[@ButterfieldAlpacaRanch]

Dr Norm Evans’ Alpaca Field Manual. It has a wealth of knowledge. Highly recommend! You can get the latest edition from Light Livestock Company.

[@tomcooke6670]

I would think you start with one breeder you feel comfortable with and can trust. Get your starting breeders and then work with the breeder to add stock

[@annabreaux5252]

Very informative

[@tracyadams2244]

I have been watching a few of your videos, as I wanting to start an Alpaca Farm. My question is can I run a Alpaca Farm by myself as a single person?

[@ButterfieldAlpacaRanch]

I did for 7 years. Now I have help with maintenance and improvement projects for the land or buildings, but still do the majority of alpaca stuff on my own. Choose your focus and work at your own pace.

[@tracyadams2244]

@@ButterfieldAlpacaRanch Thank you so much for your response. I am looking into and researching my options for starting my Alpaca Farm/Homestead. I am a crocheter and yarn spinner. So, I know how to process animal fibers into yarn. I just need to take the next steps. Thank you for all of you content you put out on this subject. It is helping people like me.

[@tomcooke6670]

I am planning on llamas with suri as the fiber type. I am planning on making thos a business. I plan to show them. My wife and I used to show dogs and have gone to west. I want really good quality and want to win. This will help my business. I appreciate any additional info you can provide. Thanks tom

[@kaygee9516]

At 5:36 you touched on parasite management... Are alpacas prone to contracting internal parasites? Also, have you done a video on parasite management?

[@ButterfieldAlpacaRanch]

I'm sorry it has taken so long to respond. I have been off of KZbin recently. Compared to other livestock, no. But it is still something that we have to stay on top of. For alpacas, we do not broadly deworm. We run fecal tests and treat for only what is present. I do not have a video on parasite management but it is on my wish list for video topics. I'd like to get someone far more knowledgeable than me to talk about it.

[@flare-theblazingchristiang6292]

I'm watching Alpaca videos to be able to talk my friend into liking them. He hates Alpacas.

[@GamesofMischief]

I'm gonna keep doing my research and you're really helping maybe a year or two before I can get any though. Is 2 or 3 animals enough to start I know they're herd animals and I'd like to meet the social need. They'll be half pet cause I may turn over to fiber/breeding them. Thank You for the info.

[@ButterfieldAlpacaRanch]

3 animals of the same sex is a good start. What an exciting adventure you are on!

[@Carriesue1982]

My husband and I are moving from SoCal to a small farm soon, I’m doing my research now and after we move it’ll probably be a year before we start with any livestock.. I’d thought about keeping 2 females with one female llama, is this a good number to start with? I will probably sell their fiber when we shear them but it won’t be the main focus, I’m mostly just curious how they are as pets.. what are their personalities like, do they enjoy interacting with people, etc?

[@jennifer2064]

how much land do you need for 2 alpacas?

[@laurenwilson9383]

Frkm what I've read, 1acre per 5 alpaca minimum.

[@serenaselstead4767]

How much approximately do alpacas cost?

[@ButterfieldAlpacaRanch]

The cost depends on many variables like age, breed, pedigree, fiber micron, the amount of guard hair, quality of offspring, etc. What to choose largely depends on what you what them for. What are your alpaca goals?

[@serenaselstead4767]

@@ButterfieldAlpacaRanch I want em as pets but it would be cool to sell their fur for making yarn or fabrics. Since I know how good it is and makes good money, I researched it some and seen some have em for pets, some for breeding, some for selling their fur, some for both lol or all. But my main goal is pets, they're very smart and cute

[@chaliceguard4575]

Which fiber is more in demand: Suri or Huacaya? Are their fibers priced differently? If yes, how? What are the price differentials for purchase of these alpacas?

[@ButterfieldAlpacaRanch]

+Chalice Guard Huacaya. I'm not so sure there is much of a price difference. Even though Suri is more rare, it's uses are more limited. Besides, the public hardly even knows there are two alpaca breeds much less the distinct difference between their types of fiber. In pricing of the breeds, I expect suri to be higher because of their rarity. Suri alpacas only account for about 20% of the worldwide alpaca population, making it one of the rarest breeds in the world.

[@chaliceguard4575]

Thank you.

[@lukassjogren7910]

What would I do with them during the winter? We get 1-1.5 meters of snow and -30°c. I dont want to sell or kill them And is there a difference in behaviour when it comes to males and females?

[@cockruncher4443]

If u want can ship them to my farm and I'll look after them till it gets walmer

[@mrzoukdotcomzouklambadaboo8212]

What if you're interested in alpacas for meat production and not fibre.

[@ButterfieldAlpacaRanch]

The market for this is small. Do your research to make sure it’s worth it.

[@marinazheleva5699]

Can you herd huacayas and suris together?

[@ButterfieldAlpacaRanch]

Yes, you can

[@terrellbunch1251]

Are they domesticated animals I want to know

[@ButterfieldAlpacaRanch]

They are domesticated. There are no "wild" alpacas. They were domesticated from the vicuna thousands of years ago.

[@lovethebunny423]

are alpacas low maintenance

[@ButterfieldAlpacaRanch]

Depends what you are comparing them to. These are the first livestock I’ve raised. They do require daily care but it’s not hard or complicated.

[@charlottewalnut3118]

Butterfield Alpaca Ranch goats pygmie goats

[@pige0223]

Who here actually has a alpaca

[@ButterfieldAlpacaRanch]

I have 26 of them. - Tashia

[@Jcal80]

we do lol

[@Veronica1Garcia]

I dont, and I dont know how I got here

[@justincasano1041]

@@Veronica1Garcia same shit I was just thinking. One minute I'm watching a movie the next thing I know I'm watching videos on Alpaca's lol

[@hunterleason2376]

Veronica Garcia alpaca nation

[@KerryWick75]

How many Alpacas are in your herd?

[@ButterfieldAlpacaRanch]

I currently have 21 alpacas and 8 llamas.

[@varyshacute]

You are so beautiful I forget alpacas 😊

[@franciscohernandez1362]

😍

[@jungleking3124]

I want one for my dogs to play with

[@ButterfieldAlpacaRanch]

Don’t get an alpaca.

[@jungleking3124]

Butterfield Alpaca Ranch can I ask you why ? Are they not good around Dogs?

[@ButterfieldAlpacaRanch]

Dogs are natural predators of alpacas. Unless your dog is intended to guard your alpacaS (of which they must be one of three specific breeds), you are putting your alpacas at risk. Dogs and alpacas are not friends. Plus, you cannot have just one alpaca. The fact that you said you wanted “one” and that one was to “play with” your dogS is the reason I said don’t get an alpaca.

[@Mooseman327]

Alpacas and llamas do not like dogs...period. That's why they're used as guardian animals for chickens, ducks, geese, sheep, goats, etc. When coyotes, foxes, wolves or wild dogs come around, they will try to kill them...and they're capable of killing them.

[@ButterfieldAlpacaRanch]

Very few alpacas actually guard. It is not a natural characteristic. Same with llamas. Some guard, some don’t.

[@aaronmerkel5216]

There is No point in owning an alpaca.