Raising Alpacas Can be Sustainable
October 14, 2009 – 11:58 pm by MarinaHanes
Ever imagined owning your own farm one day? Depending on which type of animals you choose to have on your farm, it can be quite a bit of work, which might not be the ideal retirement you had in mind. If you still want the farm, why not raise a low maintenance animal like the alpaca? These gentle creatures are not only easy to care for, but they also can provide us with a sustainable material.
What is the difference between an alpaca and a llama? Alpacas are smaller than llamas (they weight between 100 and 175 pounds), and they have rare piebald color patterns. Another dissimilar feature that stands out is the tuft of hair on the forehead of alpacas. These animals live between 15 and 25 years, and they often live complication-free lives.
Alpacas are simple and inexpensive to care for, because their main source of food is hay and grass. It’s beneficial if you allow them to roam on an open pasture, because they are meticulous grazers and they prefer space. For shelter, they require a three-sided lean-to, barn or stall, and they also enjoy pools and puddles to wade in. If you have at least one acre of land, you can raise five to ten alpacas on it.
So why are alpacas eco-friendly? First, they don’t require special feed unless it’s winter or the alpaca is pregnant. Second, waste management is simple since alpacas often defecate in the same areas. Their waste can be used for fertilizer around your home. Third, their wool can be sheared every two years prior to the rainy season, and it can be sold and made into blankets, clothes, etc. Fourth, when the alpaca is seven years old, it can be used for meat, which is what is commonly done in South America.
In addition to the environmental benefits, alpaca owners also receive tax benefits. Plus, if you don’t have an acre of land, you can have a “no hands” approach and board your alpaca. Raising alpacas can be a profitable part-time business adventure, which you can enjoy with your entire family.
Tags: alpacas, raising alpacas