Farm Talk: Why We Sold Our Alpacas | Lessons Learned

[@heathermorrisdvm8230]

Im glad i watched this ! Im a vet and they teach us very little about camelids in school . Yall seem like wonderful people . Thank you for the info

[@LifeWithATableFull]

If you don't have a support system, livestock becomes a real burden. So happy that you are transparent about your experience. We love that about you two. Hope that y'all never change!!!

[@SquareOneFarms]

Awe, thank you so much for the kind words, they mean a lot to us! Support systems are essential in everything we do.

[@ddbear8786]

It really depends on your geographic location, other animals in the mix, and how many you have. I've had alpacas for 15 years and found them to be the lowest maintenance pets that I've ever had. Even lower maintenance than a dog. They just eat the grass and weeds and I have a self refilling water bucket. I kept the herd free of parasites and other infectious disease by careful introduction of new alpacas only from reputable breeders and not going too cheap. I do very little maintenance other than having the shearing guy come over once a year, and he does the nails and teeth and annual vaccine. Vets are indeed hard to find, but when I lost alpacas they died in freak accidents (getting stuck underneath a fence for example) rather than any disease that a vet could do anything about. Overall they have been very low maintenance for me. I have a feeling the farm in the video got hit with parasites etc. from the geographic location and other animals that made it a way harder than usual.

[@Firwoodfarmalpacas]

THANK YOU for your honesty and sharing what you learned. We are in western WA and have owned alpacas for 16 years and have operated an alpaca rescue for 11 years. So refreshing to hear how important it is for vets, mentors and learning about caring for these unique animals that, as you stated, are NOT typical livestock!

[@kathyrnblandin144]

I think your video is exactly what people need to hear. Mentors are 100% needed. We have done this for 12 years and as wonderful as they are, they do require a great deal. God Bless you for your honesty!

[@LorellaPlanBeeOrchardandFarm]

These kind of videos are hard to make, it’s so important to share our tough decisions with people. Especially the why. Thanks for this video

[@SquareOneFarms]

Just one of those times that we probably got in over our heads. Starting to farm/homestead/farmstead sure does take a lot of patience. If we had grown up doing this, maybe all of these decisions would be easier....but then again maybe not! No matter what process you go through, the decisions are ultimately yours and you have to own up to them. Thank you so much for inviting us to your gorgeous house and property. I can't tell you enough how much it meant and how much we love what you have going on. If we can ever make it back, we would love to visit with you again!

[@oceanelf2512]

Wow, I definitely empathise with you, especially where it comes to people on the internet being so judgmental and up their own butts about animal husbandry. Those kind of people are why I left the pet community on the internet long ago.

[@BBRubyT]

Thank you for posting this honest and accurate video. I've had alpacas for over 10 years and "Heartbreaking" is the word you said that resonated with me. Not having access to a vet or anyone who really understands their very specific needs has been heartbreaking. they are unique, funny enjoyable critters, but the hearbreak of seeing them suffer with illness and have no way to help them is the main thing that makes me cosider getting out.

[@adaleenalpacas5256]

Your honesty is appreciated. They truly are an amazing animal but as you stated not for everyone. A good mentor and vet can/does make a huge difference. There is definitely a learning curve. You basically have to be on your toes with observation since they really show no signs until its to late. It seems like the deck was stacked against you from the start. You definitely made the right decision and as you mentioned it was in fact a hard decision. Owning alpacas myself I know this was not easy for you both they are magical. You did what was best for the animals. I wish your experience was a more positive one. Being honest is best. We practice this ourselves and try to mentor as best as we can. Owning alpacas is definitely a daily learning experience. Take care and thank you again for your honest point of view.

[@HomesteadHomemaker]

Thank you guys for posting this! I agree with the groups on facebook. They don't like people who are trying to learn. A mentor is so important with any farm animal. Great honest video sharing your experience.

[@SquareOneFarms]

Thanks so much!

[@briarpatchcreamery]

Wow! What an adventure for you. I was given several alpacas 5 or 6 years ago and it has been a bumpy ride for me as well! I learn new things all the time. This is the first I've heard that rye and fescue grasses are bad for alpacas. Thank you for your information!

[@NadyaPena-01]

I appreciate the honesty. I have been in alpaca groups for about 12 seconds and can verify what you said about them.

[@maskedmiss]

Thank you so much for all of this information. Sorry for your loss 😔

[@SquareOneFarms]

Thank you! They are magnificent creatures. One of our favorites but we have a lot more to learn and always suggest lots of research before getting into them.

[@belle6071]

God bless you, your farm and your family.

[@jpisty]

I understand how cruel Facebook groups can be. Thanks for your honesty

[@aliverseidge]

Thank you.

[@tinawilson7938]

Thank you for sharing your experience, it is very helpful as we contemplate raising alpacas too!

[@FoodForesters]

Thank you for all the good info. It's good to hear to his type of issues for people to learn from also!

[@SquareOneFarms]

Sometimes you just have to jump and take a risk when you want something. And sometimes those things don't pan out. It's how we learn right?!? Thanks so much for watching!

[@ParadiseGardenOrganics]

Thanks 1000 times for your honesty and taking your time to share your valuable experience 🙏🙌💐

[@Melmaz32]

Thank you for your post.

[@aa7045ac]

Thanks for sharing!

[@redbarnalpacafarm]

I hope you can give it another try. I am going on my second year owning alpacas and have not run into problems at all. I do have a support system though and a vet that is willing to help. Even though I don't really think they know much. I just give them panacur whenever I suspect parasites and give them their ivermectin every 4 to 6 weeks. They graze in our pastures and I have no idea what kind of grass is growing lol. I have enjoyed them sooo much. I love being able to trust them around my grandchildren. I know I won't be able to quit my day job, but maybe some day I can make a little bit of income from them but I'm not holding my breath. I just wanted you to hear from someone who has had a positive experience. Best wishes to you and your family.

[@MountainViewHomestead]

This is such good information! It’s really hard to find this type of information online so thank you for the honest video! 🦙

[@SquareOneFarms]

Thank you so much. We hate that we had to go through some of the difficulties involved. They are great but we want others to know both the good and the bad. Again, thanks for watching.

[@droxlundquist8013]

In Central Iowa there is a farm here that raises Llamas. Never realized how much work actually went into raising them. So sorry for your heartaches you had with the Alpacas.

[@SquareOneFarms]

Yes there seem to be a lot more alpaca/llama farms up north. They seem to do well in those areas. Thank you for watching.

[@sandralopez9674]

Thank you for your honesty, insight and candor. You have given me a lot to think about.

[@JoeMama-ud5eh]

Thanks for the words of wisdom. I guess what my kids were telling me was right. Maybe I’ll just grow avocado trees or something instead…. 🙄

[@lisahester7076]

Thank you for this…it’s valuable even now

[@inthemountainswithmeachum3256]

Awesome informative video. Saved my ass from headache

[@ourselfreliantlife]

I can see why you would need a support system. Not a lot of people have alpacas. A lot of these reasons is why I would be hesitant on getting any animal too quick. Thanks for sharing those experiences.

[@SquareOneFarms]

Agreed. Alpaca aren’t typical “livestock” so definitely need more forethought.

[@JreneeStyles]

I so appreciate your honesty here with your experience, its much like the dog world and its ugly so I can totally relate. People are ugly. Thank you for sharing. You guys are beautiful people.

[@robertttttt716]

You convinced me. I was thinking about getting some but not now.

[@SquareOneFarms]

Thank you for watching. We don’t intend to deter people, just inform. They are wonderful creatures and a pleasure to have.

[@salty209]

Thanks for putting out this video! We’re planning on getting some alpacas next year. We would like to know how much did it cost per month to take care of the alpacas?

[@SquareOneFarms]

That’s really going to depend on how many you have. Feeding is what you would expect in a horse. We were feeding 9 alpaca at the rate we were feeding one horse but the alpaca grain is probably 10 dollars more per bag than horse feed. Ours were eating Bermuda hay, same as the horse. They need monthly injections for m-worm. You will need to send off their poop for testing, most vets don’t do camelids. The boys and girls will need separate pens. Shearing done once a year. I wouldn’t say they were any more expensive to have than a horse and other livestock but are time consuming.

[@salty209]

Square One Farms thanks for all the info! Have a happy New Years!

[@tammyvanburen-duke4918]

I feel you a hundred percent. I rescued 32 alpacas total and alot of info out there is not correct. low maintenance and low cost feeders yeah. I've had them for 7 yrs and know the heartache your talking about. I have 21 currently and was forced to research, research and research relentlessly to the point of driving myself, my family and vets insane on this journey. I'm still learning everyday but have an ok handle on diagnosis now. Needles will always be an issue for me, but im far from an expert. I love them dearly and unfortunately don't have the perfect location for them. They would be easy if you have an alpaca vet, perfect hay, water, grasses and dry land without deer, slugs, snails and no toxic vegetation like most weeds even types of grasses, leaves and mushrooms...and great with needles lol. It's definitely not an easy journey. I'm sure it was a hard decision.❤

[@fishkeeperdanielthegreat1285]

Everyone asking the wrong people about alpacas. Let’s ask the natives in Peru.

[@mirebell2473]

This was so informative👍🏻 I live in Sweden in a shoebox. But if I ever wanted to get a junkie alpacka , now I know😎

[@AlmostHomestead]

Not sure how we missed this one. Sounds like it was the right decision.

[@SquareOneFarms]

Yes it definitely was. Lessons learned for sure!

[@pineknotfamilyfarm5020]

It’s hard to make changes but sometimes it is just something you have got to do still hard to get rid of anything you have that much investment in time, money and hard work. Great talking to y’all at the bond fire really enjoyed meeting y’all and we will be following your channel. Levi and Tasha PNFF

[@SquareOneFarms]

Just one of those times that we probably got in over our heads. Starting to farm/homestead/farmstead sure does take a lot of patience. If we had grown up doing this, maybe all these decisions would be easier....but then again maybe not! It was so great meeting yall! We had a great time. It's great to meet great people at such a random event!

[@horseblinderson4747]

I'm writing my dream down today and the various goals to attain it an this will help. Sorry it didn't work out for you.

[@pvp6077]

Thank you so much for sharing this video, I'm looking into getting alpacas in the future and it's so hard to find an honest video about the issues to watch out for. I'm in an area with a good climate and support network for alpacas (kind of an over-abundance of alpacas even), but most of the farms are near cities while the property I'm looking at is in a more rural area with a high population of white tail deer. I'd also been considering keeping a couple goats for milk/companion animals (travelling petting zoos are very lucrative here) but I'm definitely taking that off my list as well. I'm starting with poultry rn, and have heard that ducks are good for keeping slugs out, I'm curious if that might help with the parasitic worms at all, will have to look into it first And this is also the first I've heard of rye and fescue (?) grass being dangerous, so I'm about to google that too Again, thank you so much for being willing to share and help others learn from your experiences

[@samsally3581]

My sheep goats cows horses geese and alpaca all share the same pasture

[@kareeupendo6354]

Recently took in a rescue, was never told it had bizerk syndrome only that he was 4 and gilded & isolated and bullied by the herd. My intention was getting him first and then 2 others, but the experience im having with this one is so scary. He's so mean, he charges, he orkles, he spits, he kicks and is completely unpredictable. Im so frustrated that the previous owners omitted this and now I feel like my idea of having alpacas in my homestead is clouded because I'm ready to give up. Anyone have any advice im so lost?

[@keithlewis8238]

Yeah, alpaca meat is supposed to be delicious

[@tobewiser1629]

Some people have chickens to eat the bugs, to keep the parasites at bay--wow, a costly experience for you guys.

[@larrywheaton7037]

It is a full time job , we have 30 😢

[@amechelb]

Wow that’s good to know. We are still looking for land and I was entertaining the idea of getting a small group of alpaca and Icelandic sheep to see which would be better for us and it seems that it would probably be better to just get the sheep. We are in the upper Ozarks so we would have a lot of the same issue you had with the parasites and hot summers. I’m not very interested in a super high maintenance animals.

[@SquareOneFarms]

We are actually putting out a video on Sunday about purchasing land in our How To Start Homesteading Series. And the next one will be about livestock, so hopefully those will help a little. Totally agree with the sheep. We are really wanting to get them and will be going with either the St. Croix or Barbados. Our intent was to get them this Spring, but we are a little overloaded with a whole lot of other new farm decisions, that we will probably hold off another year. Glad that the video could give a little insight and/or help.

[@amechelb]

You know the crazy thing is that researching alpacas I had seen no mention of the injections they have to have nor about the fact that they are less tolerant of parasites. I actually read many different breeders info pages that stated that they are more tolerant to them. I can’t believe people would be putting that kind of misinformation out there.

[@SquareOneFarms]

Keep in mind that alpacas are extremely regional based. They are from South America and have things that aren’t in North America such as selenium, we are very deficient in it. And the monthly shots are only if you are west of the Mississippi River to prevent m-worm carried by the white tail deer. So, a lot of other information handed down may not be from people that are in the regions that would affect your caring for them. That’s really the most difficult thing about having them is getting the correct information.

[@kelliehoyt7579]

Oh my goodness, there are so many false things said here. Alpacas are special and do need different care, but they shouldn’t be dropping like flies. Y’all did something wrong.

[@SquareOneFarms]

Thank you for your insight. We will take your opinion under consideration if/when we explore getting them again.

[@adolfelmarjukic9133]

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