Maintenance
Maintenance is minimal compared to nearly every other type of farm animal. Annual shearing, toe clipping two or three times a year, two vaccinations and occasional worming with a routine daily check is all that is normally required of the owner.

Housing
Although they are quite happy to live outside in any weather, some form of barn or open shed is a sensible precaution to provide shelter in the worst storms, shade in summer and for housing the newly born alpaca for the first few hours of its life in bad weather. 
 
Fencing and Security
Normal stock fencing is quite adequate. Alpacas are placid and gentle; and do not try to escape! All our stock are micro-chipped and ear-tagged. We have public footpaths running through some of our paddocks and this has not been a problem.

Veterinary Costs
There are no specific medical problems inherent in these very hardy animals, so veterinary costs are remarkably low. The births are usually trouble free and take place during daylight hours, most often in the morning. (In the Andes this would ensure the newly born is up and dried off by night time)

The Fleece
The fleece is taken once a year, or sometimes in South America once every two years. Alpacas are shorn in a manner similar to sheep, using electric clippers, however they do take rather longer and therefore most shearers restrain alpacas and shear them lying on the ground. Alpacas yield between 2 and 6kg of fibre each year - with selective breeding the yield can usually be improved on.