Alpacas can thrive on poor pasture in their natural habitat but will benefit from better pasture. Alpacas are not susceptible to foot rot but they should not be kept on excessively wet ground where there is a complete absence of dry areas.
They are hardy and often prefer to winter out regardless of weather; in their natural habitat the night temperatures fall below freezing over three hundred nights of the year. However, as alpacas are not keen on wind driven rain, free access to an open fronted shelter in wind swept locations is essential. This will also offer summer shade if suitable hedging or trees are not available.
In large fields a catch pen area should also be made, around a corner or in front of the field shelter. If the field shelter is positioned with its open front 12ft from a boundary fence then this can be used as part of a catch pen. Daily feed routines within this area will ensure easy catching of the alpacas for training, routine husbandry or veterinary care.
Electric tape fencing can be useful for the internal partitioning of pasture. Electric netting should be avoided as alpacas can become entangled. Barbed wire should be removed from any areas accessible to alpacas and replaced, if necessary, with plain wire.
Although alpacas are excellent jumpers, they rarely do unless frightened, cornered or if there is inadequate pasture in their field. Post and rail or stock fencing to a height of four feet is adequate. Some form of stock fence will be required along the lower rails of post and rail fencing during the weaning of cria.
Alpacas are grazers and browsers and should be provided with sufficient room to graze, browse, roam and play.
