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Shelter / Barn
have the Surveyor generate a sealed map. Good Shepherd Farm provides a depends on your property lines and terrain. We
depends on your property lines and terrain. We recommend having your property surveyed by a Licensed Land Surveyor and
have the Surveyor generate a sealed map. Good Shepherd Farm provides a Farm Design and Drafting Service should you
desire an experienced alpaca owner's assistance in your farm's design.
Farm Design and Drafting Service should you desire an experienced alpaca owner's assistance in your farm's design.
should you desire an experienced alpaca owner's assistance in your farm's design.
desire an experienced alpaca owner's assistance in your farm's design.
Alpaca barns and shelters come in all shapes and sizes. Generally, we build our shelters with the back of the shelter into the
weather, surrounded by trees for shade, and in a place where drainage is adequate.
Time spent making plans on paper resulted in a versatile, functional system
providing a variety of options for pasture rotation and for separating males and
females, expectant moms and new crias, that can grow as the herd grows. Allow a
minimum of 20 to 30 square feet of space per alpaca. Alpacas do not require a
immaculate barn, instead they need shelter from the cold wind and, especially,
the sun.
The environment your alpacas live in is critical to their health and well being.
Their needs in terms of shelter are based on the maximum anticipated herd size and
fund available. Starting small in terms of shelter and pasture can be less expensive
but like with any construction, it’s less expensive to build more in the beginning than
to add on or build more later. Consider your long term goals and what is needed to meet those goals. If planning to house only a
couple of pets for pleasure, a simple 3 sided shelter would be sufficient. With every shelter make an effort to provide a power
and water supply.
Existing barn structures previously utilized for livestock may require some
modification. Equine and Cattle stalls can make good breeding pens but their
sidewall height may prevent an alpacas from seeing the others which is critical for
the sense of company. Dairy barns usually have cement floors which may be good
for toenails and cool in the summer but can be too cold in winter and hard on legs.
The model barn is one that has open access to paddocks, capable of using
lightweight portable corral panels, allowing for quick access for changing the size
and configuration of individual stall areas. Separate rooms for storage, veterinary
work, office, and observation are nice additions.
New barn structures can vary depending on the type of barn. Traditional Style or Midwest Style post and beam barns are
beautiful and expensive. Modern pole barns are open and expansive and far less expensive. Unfortunately, they don’t have the
aesthetic appeal of the traditional designs. There are several companies offering barn kits which can be assembled by the
purchaser or installed by the company. A contractor may be required to lay foundation, install plumbing and electrical due to
permit requirements in your state or local government. Talk to alpaca owners and ask for advice and ask about what they would
have done different if they were to build their barn again. One thing to keep in mind is the added value to your property that a
well built shelter can offer to prospective buyers in the future as opposed to a poorly built shelter.
Things to consider when designing barns, shelters, and pastures
Barn & Pasture Location
Separating Alpacas
Fenced Runs
have the Surveyor generate a sealed map. Good Shepherd Farm provides a depends on your property lines and terrain. We
depends on your property lines and terrain. We recommend having your property surveyed by a Licensed Land Surveyor and
have the Surveyor generate a sealed map. Good Shepherd Farm provides a Farm Design and Drafting Service should you
desire an experienced alpaca owner's assistance in your farm's design.
Farm Design and Drafting Service should you desire an experienced alpaca owner's assistance in your farm's design.
should you desire an experienced alpaca owner's assistance in your farm's design.
desire an experienced alpaca owner's assistance in your farm's design.
Alpaca barns and shelters come in all shapes and sizes. Generally, we build our shelters with the back of the shelter into the
weather, surrounded by trees for shade, and in a place where drainage is adequate.
Time spent making plans on paper resulted in a versatile, functional system
providing a variety of options for pasture rotation and for separating males and
females, expectant moms and new crias, that can grow as the herd grows. Allow a
minimum of 20 to 30 square feet of space per alpaca. Alpacas do not require a
immaculate barn, instead they need shelter from the cold wind and, especially,
the sun.
The environment your alpacas live in is critical to their health and well being.
Their needs in terms of shelter are based on the maximum anticipated herd size and
fund available. Starting small in terms of shelter and pasture can be less expensive
but like with any construction, it’s less expensive to build more in the beginning than
to add on or build more later. Consider your long term goals and what is needed to meet those goals. If planning to house only a
couple of pets for pleasure, a simple 3 sided shelter would be sufficient. With every shelter make an effort to provide a power
and water supply.
Existing barn structures previously utilized for livestock may require some
modification. Equine and Cattle stalls can make good breeding pens but their
sidewall height may prevent an alpacas from seeing the others which is critical for
the sense of company. Dairy barns usually have cement floors which may be good
for toenails and cool in the summer but can be too cold in winter and hard on legs.
The model barn is one that has open access to paddocks, capable of using
lightweight portable corral panels, allowing for quick access for changing the size
and configuration of individual stall areas. Separate rooms for storage, veterinary
work, office, and observation are nice additions.
New barn structures can vary depending on the type of barn. Traditional Style or Midwest Style post and beam barns are
beautiful and expensive. Modern pole barns are open and expansive and far less expensive. Unfortunately, they don’t have the
aesthetic appeal of the traditional designs. There are several companies offering barn kits which can be assembled by the
purchaser or installed by the company. A contractor may be required to lay foundation, install plumbing and electrical due to
permit requirements in your state or local government. Talk to alpaca owners and ask for advice and ask about what they would
have done different if they were to build their barn again. One thing to keep in mind is the added value to your property that a
well built shelter can offer to prospective buyers in the future as opposed to a poorly built shelter.
Things to consider when designing barns, shelters, and pastures
Barn & Pasture Location
- Building the barn in sight from house is a luxury that most have. A barn that is
not within view of the home may need additional surveylance equipment like
close curcuit television or an internet based web camera.
To prevent irrigation ditches to redirect storm water drainage, building a barn
that's floor is slightly elevated to the original ground takes advantage of
natural drainage. An elevated barn also provide better air circulation.
- Anytime the Sun is out, even in the worst heat and humidity, you will find the
alpacas lying on their sides in the full sun. The first reaction is that the
alpacas have died from heat exhaustion. Instead, are simply sunning
themselves. In the summer it is important to offer shade for them to escape
the heat of the sun if needed. A breeze is also very helpful and if building a barn, consider situating the barn and its
openings to enhance air circulation. Otherwise fans my be needed. Some breeders offer shelters without walls to
allow maximum air movement.
- The interior of your barn should be as flexible as possible. Movable partitions
or corral panels work well if available. Interior gates can also be strategically
placed to change the configuration of the stalls. Alpacas are herd animals
and like to be together. They can get stressed by cramped quarters,
particularly at feeding time.
Separating Alpacas
- Male & Female alpacas should alway be separated to prevent unwanted
breeding or fighting which could enjur or harm a small or unborn cria. Males become more aggressive once of
breeding age. Some males need to be in a paddock area buy themslves but within view of the others due to
becoming too agressive. Alpaca also grow fighting teeth that are razor sharp and will need to be trimmed from time
to time. Another reason for separating alpacas is for quarentine. We quarentine all alpacas entering the farm. A
quarentine paddock is essential to prevent the spread of parasites.
The quarentine paddock can also be used as a diet control area. As long as
an alpaca has a food source, it will eat.
Fenced Runs
Fenced runs are lans 12ft wid to allow access to other areas of pasture. 12ft
runs are best to allow pasage for for vehicles, equipment, and alpacas. Gates
installed at pasture area entrances also double as catch pen areas.
- Natural shade should be provided in all areas that the alpacas have access to. Trees may need to be planted or
structures built. Alpacas will not always want to stay in the shelters or barn during the heat of the day. Avoid planting
trees, plants, or bushes that may be poisonous to alpacas. Talk to your veterinarian, local extension service and
local plant nursery with any questions. The University of Tennessee Extension
Service has posted an online book outlining the Poisonous Plants of the Southern
United States. Please visit the Pasture area of Alpaca P.O.B. also for information
regarding poisonous plants and alpacas.
Origianal Sod or dirt - Sod will eventually become dirt. Leaving the surface as dirt is very much ok
and can act as a cooling agent in the summer shade. One only trouble with dirt is that dirt mixed
with manure then becoming wet with rain becomes a saftey hazard. Anytime the dirt gets wet and
your alpaca lays on the mud, the alpaca will become a muddy gobbed mess. Also the alpacas toe
nails will need to be trimmed more frequently due to the softness of the ground. If you routinly
check our animals toenails and this will not be a problem. At times cleanup is difficult.
and can act as a cooling agent in the summer shade. One only trouble with dirt is that dirt mixed
with manure then becoming wet with rain becomes a saftey hazard. Anytime the dirt gets wet and
your alpaca lays on the mud, the alpaca will become a muddy gobbed mess. Also the alpacas toe
nails will need to be trimmed more frequently due to the softness of the ground. If you routinly
check our animals toenails and this will not be a problem. At times cleanup is difficult.
Decomposed Granite - Is very heavy, so avoid having it delivered during wet periods. Have the
deliverer dump it close to where it will be used because it will sink into soft soil. When it dries out it
will be like concrete in consistency. May cause dung and parasites to remain unless cleaned
properly.
deliverer dump it close to where it will be used because it will sink into soft soil. When it dries out it
will be like concrete in consistency. May cause dung and parasites to remain unless cleaned
properly.
vantage point. The alpacas love to roll in it. May cause dung and parasites to remain unless
vantage point. The alpacas love to roll in it. May cause dung and parasites to remain unless
cleaned properly.cleaned properly.
vantage point. The alpacas love to roll in it. May cause dung and parasites to remain unless
cleaned properly.cleaned properly.
Gravel Dust - Gravel dust can create allot of dust in dry times, but some alpaca owners favor it.
Cleanup is easy with a shovel that has holes drilled in it to allow the gravel dust to fall through
from the fleece. May cause dung and parasites to remain unless cleaned properly.from the fleece.
May cause dung and parasites to remain unless cleaned properly.. May cause dung and parasites
to remain unless cleaned properly. May cause dung and parasites to remain unless cleaned
properly.
Cleanup is easy with a shovel that has holes drilled in it to allow the gravel dust to fall through
from the fleece. May cause dung and parasites to remain unless cleaned properly.from the fleece.
May cause dung and parasites to remain unless cleaned properly.. May cause dung and parasites
to remain unless cleaned properly. May cause dung and parasites to remain unless cleaned
properly.
Pea Gravel - May be dusty but easily shaken or dusted out of fleece. A coarse substance for
bedding will allows water to drain easily. May cause dung and parasites to remain unless cleaned
properly.
bedding will allows water to drain easily. May cause dung and parasites to remain unless cleaned
properly.
Rubber Mats - In the winter, rubber mats for them to lie on. For the past two years, we have been
using some of the foam mats from Sam's Club that fit together like a puzzle. These are less
expensive than the traditional livestock mats, keep the dust down in the barn, and are holding up
very well. Very easy cleanup.
using some of the foam mats from Sam's Club that fit together like a puzzle. These are less
expensive than the traditional livestock mats, keep the dust down in the barn, and are holding up
very well. Very easy cleanup.
Screenings - A little dusty and also provides a coarse substance for bedding that will allow water
to drain easily and it shakes freely from the alpaca fleece. May cause dung and parasites to
remain unless cleaned properly.
to drain easily and it shakes freely from the alpaca fleece. May cause dung and parasites to
remain unless cleaned properly.
ease of cleaning and permanence. It seems to help keep the alpacas cool during the summer, but
ease of cleaning and permanence. It seems to help keep the alpacas cool during the summer, but
may not be as comfortable to lay on as sand, dirt, or other flooring choices might be. Concrete will
also drain body heat in the winter faster than other surfaces. Used in combination with another
covering is suggested. Very easy cleanup.covering is suggested. Very easy cleanup.
ease of cleaning and permanence. It seems to help keep the alpacas cool during the summer, but
may not be as comfortable to lay on as sand, dirt, or other flooring choices might be. Concrete will
also drain body heat in the winter faster than other surfaces. Used in combination with another
covering is suggested. Very easy cleanup.covering is suggested. Very easy cleanup.
Straw - Not suitable for surface covering in Spring, Summer, or Fall. Only use during the cold of
Winter. Straw, with its hollow stem, serves as a great insulator in cold weather. A deep bed of
straw will do a great deal to keep the alpacas very comfortable during the worst cold spells. The
thick straw bed helps provide insulation for their lightly fleeced stomachs, while their insulating
fleece keeps them warm on top. Allot of wasting with cleanup.
Winter. Straw, with its hollow stem, serves as a great insulator in cold weather. A deep bed of
straw will do a great deal to keep the alpacas very comfortable during the worst cold spells. The
thick straw bed helps provide insulation for their lightly fleeced stomachs, while their insulating
fleece keeps them warm on top. Allot of wasting with cleanup.
Sawdust / Wood Chips - They are not suitable bedding material for alpacas. Wood shavings and
sawdust generally are not used by breeders for they have a tendency to get caught in the fiber,
compromising the quality of the fleece. We do not recommend using sawdust or wood chips.
sawdust generally are not used by breeders for they have a tendency to get caught in the fiber,
compromising the quality of the fleece. We do not recommend using sawdust or wood chips.
Wood Planks - Wood flooring is not desirable because of the hazard of splinters. Wood also rots
with time and repeated urinating and defecation will deteriorate wood quickly.
with time and repeated urinating and defecation will deteriorate wood quickly.
Electricity - is a must. As long as the electricity is available, no one thinks much about it.
Lights, fans, heaters, water heaters, fences, etc. are needed at various times throughout the year,
some year long. We recommend having a certified electrician install new or check existing wiring
before using electricity.
Lights, fans, heaters, water heaters, fences, etc. are needed at various times throughout the year,
some year long. We recommend having a certified electrician install new or check existing wiring
before using electricity.
Fans - Caution must be taken when purchasing barn fans. Many fans available are designed for
homes and not to be used in a barn. House fans motor housings are not designed to keep out
dust that is generated in a barn. House fans used in a barn can be susceptible to burning up and
starting a fire. Although a little more expensive, farm stores and catalogs offer fans that are
appropriate to the barn environment and safer in design. Barn fans also provide better air flow
and will last longer, saving money in the long run. Fans should be placed low to the ground to
generate air flow to the alpacas belly.
homes and not to be used in a barn. House fans motor housings are not designed to keep out
dust that is generated in a barn. House fans used in a barn can be susceptible to burning up and
starting a fire. Although a little more expensive, farm stores and catalogs offer fans that are
appropriate to the barn environment and safer in design. Barn fans also provide better air flow
and will last longer, saving money in the long run. Fans should be placed low to the ground to
generate air flow to the alpacas belly.
Water - Alpaca love water and having a plentyful clean supply is essential. Water is also used for
cooling. Water misters, kiddie pools, water hoses, can be used to provide evaporative cooling.
Another technique is to soak a patch of sand to allow the alpacas to cush (lay down on their
bellies) for cooling. City water hook-ups, wells, and rain water collections are options to consider.
Beware of allowing access to ponds or other deeper water. Repeated soaks can cause the fiber
to rot and break off of the alpaca. There are also parasite and disease concerns in some areas
of the country, with fresh bodies of water being a vector. Also water matting the fiber down actually
interferes with heat dissipation and can cause problems. Standing water in a pasture also can be
a hazard in the winter, for alpacas can fall through the ice and drown.
cooling. Water misters, kiddie pools, water hoses, can be used to provide evaporative cooling.
Another technique is to soak a patch of sand to allow the alpacas to cush (lay down on their
bellies) for cooling. City water hook-ups, wells, and rain water collections are options to consider.
Beware of allowing access to ponds or other deeper water. Repeated soaks can cause the fiber
to rot and break off of the alpaca. There are also parasite and disease concerns in some areas
of the country, with fresh bodies of water being a vector. Also water matting the fiber down actually
interferes with heat dissipation and can cause problems. Standing water in a pasture also can be
a hazard in the winter, for alpacas can fall through the ice and drown.
people to view your herd. A digitally signal can be sent to all of the TV’s in your house (if the house
clients and speed up care during an emergency.
an expectant female. Having a telephone at the barn will improve your availability to potential
clients and speed up care during an emergency.
Plumbing - It is well worth the time to take a look at barns built by other breeders and find out
what they would have done differently. Plumbing is usually at the top of the list and we can
emagine why without going into detail. Keep in mind the value to your property with a well built
shelter as opposed to a bare bones and slapped together shelter. When installing plumbing a
septic systems, we recommend hiring a certified installer.
what they would have done differently. Plumbing is usually at the top of the list and we can
emagine why without going into detail. Keep in mind the value to your property with a well built
shelter as opposed to a bare bones and slapped together shelter. When installing plumbing a
septic systems, we recommend hiring a certified installer.
Feeders - Feeder placement is very important. Place feeders in every paddock area in a location
away from doors and out of the weather. We suggest using hard sanded wood or plastic. The
danger of wood is splinters. Rain gutter or 4" to 6" plastic pipe split in half work great as grain
feeders. The narrow feeder will force the alpaca to turn its head to the side and restrict access,
thus making it more difficult for the alpaca to gorge its mouth and get choked. Hay feeders are also
very important and come in a wide variety of designs and cost. A box slightly larger than a hay bale
works great. We have also found that rubber made totes work well and are less expensive. Some
even come with wheels attached making it easier to move. The only problem with them is their light
weight make it easy for an alpaca to turn over.
away from doors and out of the weather. We suggest using hard sanded wood or plastic. The
danger of wood is splinters. Rain gutter or 4" to 6" plastic pipe split in half work great as grain
feeders. The narrow feeder will force the alpaca to turn its head to the side and restrict access,
thus making it more difficult for the alpaca to gorge its mouth and get choked. Hay feeders are also
very important and come in a wide variety of designs and cost. A box slightly larger than a hay bale
works great. We have also found that rubber made totes work well and are less expensive. Some
even come with wheels attached making it easier to move. The only problem with them is their light
weight make it easy for an alpaca to turn over.
Barn / Shelter Facilities
Surface Covering
- There are many different options on what to cover the barn and paddock area surface with.
Here is a list of options to consider with our thoughts about each.
Thank you for reading our Alpaca P.O.B. section on Barns and Shelters. If you have questions, comments, or would have
something to add, please contact us. We are always searching for suggestions and tips to make caring for alpacas more
enjoyable and stress free. admin@gsfalpacas.com
something to add, please contact us. We are always searching for suggestions and tips to make caring for alpacas more
enjoyable and stress free. admin@gsfalpacas.com
