Alpaca SuppliesLuckily, most supplies are optional. But, you will want to have some basic alpaca equipment on your farm. We started with alpaca halters of various sizes and lead ropes. After all you must be able to lead your alpacas various places! An alpaca scale is a vital piece of equipment. The weight of your alpacas and especially your crias need to be monitored as part of your herd health program. A drop in weight can indicate serious health concerns. You also need some type of alpaca feeders for hay and for grain, and alpaca watering systems. The hay should be kept dry. The grain should be placed in shallow bowls or troughs so that the alpacas cannot take a large mouthful and choke. The water needs to be high enough so that they do not step in it. Yes, they love to put their feet in the water! But, you do not want possible parasites in the water! Some watering systems are rather fancy involving automation and heating – if you can afford it, go for it! Otherwise a bucket is just fine. And do not forget the pooper scooper! Some alpaca owners use a yard rake, snow shovel and wheelbarrow. You will need some method for efficiently handling alpaca manure. 
A skirting table can make fleece preparation much easier.
Our skirting table is just one inch mesh mounted on a frame that we place on boxes. My girls (with some help from dad!) made it as part of an
American Heritage Girl badge. Cria coats of various sizes are essential in really cold weather. Older geriatric alpacas may also need an alpaca coat. A birthing kit is also important if you plan to breed your alpacas. Well, that is about it for essential alpaca supplies. Everything else is generally optional based on personal preference and financial resources.
Right now, we can transport 2-3 alpacas easily in our van. They just jump right in! In the future, we plan to purchase a small horse trailer. Eventually, we would like to get a really nice alpaca trailer made specifically for alpacas.
If you plan to do your own shearing, an alpaca shearing table and shearers is essential. You can also provide shearing services for others. However, most alpaca breeders hire professional shearers. Some alpaca owners choose to implant their own microchips. Others prefer to let the veterinarian do it. Either way having a microchip reader can be helpful so that you know that the microchip is in place prior to alpaca shows or interstate transportation. You may also decide that you want to do your own parasite testing rather than taking fecal samples to your vet. If so, you will need a quality microscope, a centrifuge, and a fecal parasite testing kit. We will be experimenting with flotation testing. We will let you know how it goes! Most alpaca breeders do behavior testing to help figure out if their dams are pregnant. However, for maidens or those girls who are giving mixed signals, the use of your own portable ultrasound scanner can be beneficial. At this time, we call the vet to perform our ultrasounds. Also, it can be really helpful to use IgG test kits to know IgG levels quickly. If IgG is too low, your cria will need a plasma transfusion to help its immunity. A camera monitoring system can help you monitor your pregnant dams so that you are not surprised by an unexpected delivery. These systems are especially useful for winter birthing rooms or if you do not have a good view of your alpaca barn and pastures from your home. Another idea is to have mesh panels that can be assembled for marketing events or for breedings. Some people even use these mesh panels to create flexible barn stalls. Luckily, alpacas require few alpaca supplies! Return to Top of Alpaca Supplies Page
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For example, as your herd grows, you will probably want to get an alpaca trailer.
