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Some owner's don't actually raise their animals on a day-to-day basis. Boarding, or agisting, provides a very viable approach to investing in alpacas for those people not currently set up to accommodate them. This method is an excellent way to begin in the alpaca business. Even if you own just one alpaca, boarding allows you to learn about the care of alpacas, the lifestyle and the business, while you build your herd toward a time you can care for them on your own. And even if you are boarding your herd, you can still take advantage of the tax benefits that other alpaca owners enjoy.
This approach to livestock ownership has been around for centuries and today is especially common in the horse industry. By boarding, an investor relieves themselves of the day-to day care, while orchestrating and planning the long term care, such as breeding, sales, showing and marketing. Every farm's boarding services are different. Typical contracts allow owners to participate in farm events and vet visits, and frequent access to their animals. Some farms even offer show support--animal transport and shared stalling during the show-- saving the boarding owner additional time and expense.
After selecting and purchasing your first alpacas, selection of your boarding farm is the next important decision you'll face. Quality care and oversight is essential to you and your alpacas' success. HaSu Ranch, a full-time alpaca farm, offers extensive facilities including a heated veterinarian room, separate video-monitored cria pens, experienced Camelid Veterinarians on-call, sophisticated computerized record-keeping, and more--all for a very reasonable rate. Learn more about HaSu Ranch boarding services.
questions to ask the potential boarding farm
How will my animals be sheltered?
Will my animals be stalled?
How many alpacas are stocked together per acre?
How often are they touched and handled?
What is the farm's Herd Health Maintenance Plan?
What are the credentials of the attending veterinarian?
How close are you to a large animal hospital?
How are animal records maintained?
How often will I receive reports on my animals?
What does the general boarding fee include?
How often may I have access to my animal?
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There are a number of structures used to shelter alpacas, such as barns, 3-sided sheds and moveable sheds. Whatever is used must be designed to combat the local hostile climatic conditions. The shelter should effectively diminish temperature extremes, humidity, wind, rain and snow. Would the potential boarding farm adequately house your animals?
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Stocking density is a critical factor in maintaining healthy herds. Social stress created by overcrowding can create a variety of mental and physical problems. Eventually, herds housed at higher rates may suffer from inadequate nutrition that can result in starvation. Additionally, overcrowded herds tend to have higher occurrences of parasitic and bacterial problems.
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With alpacas, stalls are needed only in special circumstances--for separating sick animals or to protect healthy animals in severe weather. Stalls should be safe clean placesfree of extraneous structures and mucked daily. They should provide access to water and feed sources-- off the ground and securely positioned. If alpacas are to be stalled, overcrowding should be avoided. As a general rule, provide 3 x 6 feet per one animal.
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Alpacas are generally very docile animals, but even so, an alpaca unaccustomed to humans can be very difficult to manage. Frequent exposure to human touch and interaction is essential to healthy herd management. It allows breeders to adequately monitor the individual alpaca's health while providing opportunities for educating and taming the alpaca. And a calm, tame alpaca is much more marketable than one of similar or even better quality.
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Generally, almost any veterinarian has the skill and basic information required to care for alpacas. However, not all vets are created equal. And since you will board your alpacas, you are not necessarily tied to finding a veterinarian working in your area. Therefore, you have the ability to be more selective and find a veterinarian that has experience with alpacas, and better yet has a relationship with a state veterinary school or large animal hospital.
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Unfortunately, a time may come when the local attending vet hasn't the facilities or skill to diagnose or treat an alpaca. The presence of a large animal hospital nearby will prove invaluable.
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If you're going to run a livestock business, youll need to keep records on the herd. And the more detailed and accurate they are the better. Record keeping runs the gamut from manually written records to sophisticated computerized record keeping. Today one can achieve extraordinary accuracy and organization through a computerized system. Additionally, such a system facilitates electronic file sharing thereby allowing boarding owners to receive their animal records on a timely basis.
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The need for information is a matter of personal preference. What will you be comfortable with? Would you like to see a monthly report on your animals? Or is an annual update sufficient?
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Every farm's boarding service is different. Some include everything from nail-trimming, injections and routine vet visits under one fee. It is important to know exactly what a farms fee covers so that you don't find yourself hit with unexpected costs. Don't assume the digital pictures you of your new cria or the herbal supplement for the mom is included. Ask to see the farm's boarding contract. And a good practice is to have it reviewed by your lawyer. Learn what the HaSu Ranch Boarding Service fee includes Take look at the HaSu Ranch boarding contract.
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How often do you want to be able to spend time with your alpacas? Most breeders provide very flexible schedules for owners to visit their animals. Usually all they require is a phone call in advance. But again, discuss your needs and expectations with potential boarding farms to determine if you are a good match.
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