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The Ideal Alpaca Community is a collective effort that is intended to create the maximum opportunity for profitable farms and herds for individual members.
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IAC Home > Alpaca Resource Center > Breeder's Tips
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Alpaca Facilities
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| Alpacas are native to the Altiplano (highlands) of Peru, Chile and Bolivia. They live in a harsh environment found at 12,000 to 17,500 feet above sea level. The snow, freezing wind and bone chilling cold are the everyday circumstances of these hardy animals. Ichu grass is the natural forage of the Altiplano. It is tough, short and produces little protein. There are no barns and few fences for alpacas in South America. In places other than their natives lands people tend to overfeed, build elaborate barns and generally over do the hardy alpacas care.
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Alpaca Barns
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In South America alpacas are put in corrals at night for protection from predators and to keep them from wandering away.
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Fencing
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The most important thing about alpaca fencing is to provide safety from predators. Any fence will confine alpacas; they do not challenge fences.
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Gates
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You can not have too many gates. When designing your barns, pastures and gates think about the work flow and traffic patterns that will occur as you make your way through the day.
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Pastures
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You can comfortably stock between five and ten animals per acre. This makes the alpaca perfect for people who have only a few acres and who want the pleasure of a small herd and a valuable asset.
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Watering Systems
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Alpacas need a constant source of water. There are two important thing to consider when installing watering devices: 1) Location: Are the troughs easy for the alpacas and you to reach?2)
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