Frequently Asked Questions

Yes if requested by the owner, fee is $5.00 for all four per animal . Owner may trim them while we are shearing as long as the owner is not slowing down the shearer.

Below are the most recent fees. A specific quote can be provided by calling or texting to Rick at 937-538-9895 April & May 2023 Shearing Fees * Note- beyond May 2023 subject to additional charges for out of season shearing. * Minimum fees -$175.00 within 25miles, $ 200- beyond 25 miles * Alpacas- $35.00 per alpaca (with a minimum of $160 for distance over 2 hrs) * Note - $50.00 per alpaca for animals with 2 or more years of fleece. * Llamas- Typically we do not shear Llamas due to their aggressive nature however if the owner can secure the Llama either on the ground using our setup or standing and calm for a belly shear. The cost will be $35.00 * Nails - $5.00 per animal ( client may trim during shearing as long as it does not interfere with the shearer ) * Teeth- ( if needed) - $10.00 per alpaca ( this is for front or fighting teeth) *Travel & Setup fee -travel time Less than 2hrs- $100.00 plus .58 per mile - greater than 2hrs - $150 plus .58 per mile * Travel time is based on Google Maps estimate * Note - Travel discounts of $50.00 for each farm that is included in the route of travel may be applied up to a maximum of $150 discount. * Reschedule fees- All non- weather related rescheduling will be subject to addition fees based on location and time of reschedule

Yes if requested , fee is $10.00 for front or fighting teeth. I can advise whether or not the teeth need trimmed.

1. We need a clean, dry, well lit area . If the weather is pleasant we prefer to shear outside. The light advantage and less collected dust provide for a better shearing environment. However we will bring a flood light for additional lighting. 2. We will bring a padded mat to shear the Alpacas, however if the area is dirty please provide additional tarp to protect our mat 3. We will need 110 electrical outlet or extension cord to the area. 4.We will need at least one anchor point if we can bring our vehicle to the shearing area. Two if that is not possible. These anchor points but be secure as we will be attaching our restrainment system to the anchor point , Trees fence post , gates will work as long as they are solid and do not move. The two anchor point should be approx. 18-20 feet apart 5. You will need bags to collect your fleece . If you do not want the fleece we may take it depending on its condition. 6. Your alpacas must be dry. We cannot shear wet alpacas ! I cannot stress this enough , our clippers will not go through wet fleece. 7. Your alpacas should be penned in close proximity to the shearing mat. 8. You must provide Alpaca halters and leads for your animals to be led to the shearing mat Additional items that are beneficial but not required. - airline for use to blow out clippers when changing blades -water for drinking -shaded area or awning if outside in the sun

Once per year. in the spring April through May. The alpaca produces a coat throughout the winter months to keep warm . During the summer months if the coat is not shorn the Alpaca can become stressed and extremally overheated. An alpaca that has more than a one year coat is also difficult to shear. This is why the alpaca shearer may charge more for Alpacas not shorn annually.

Yes, we require at least two physical able bodies to control the alpacas while we attach the restraining straps and lay the alpaca on the ground . You will need to gather the fleece as we take it off the alpaca in order for us to properly shear the alpaca. In addition you will need to bring the alpaca to the mat for shearing . It is best to have the alpacas penned and haltered, in close proximity to the shearing mat. Extra charges will be necessary if we have to assist in capturing the alpacas or there is significant delays between shearing alpacas. We will let you know when to have the next alpaca ready as we are shearing. You may also be requested to hold the alpaca head down on the mat while we are shearing

Finer grades of alpaca fleece are believed to be hypo-allergenic, meaning it is less likely to cause irritation from allergen particles. Unlike sheep’s wool, alpaca fleece contains no lanolin and is therefore ready to spin after only nominal cleaning. Prized for its unique silky feel and superb "handle," alpaca fleece is highly sought-after by both cottage-industry artists (hand spinners, knitters, weavers, etc.) as well as the commercial fashion industry. We send our fleece to Choice Alpaca who pays for the shipping charges and in return we can purchase products for resell you can visit thier site at www.choicealpacaproducts.com

Alpacas are typically gentle animals and are accepting of many things. However this does not mean you should raise them in the same pasture with other livestock. Alpacas often defecate in communal dung piles. There may be three or four of these areas in a pasture. This makes for easy clean-up, reduced opportunity for parasites, and better overall hygiene in the herd. Other animals are not like this therefore the risk of parasites and disease increases since the overall hygiene is greatly reduced

Alpacas are very quiet, docile animals that make a minimal amount of sound. They do make a humming sound as a means of communication or to express concern or stress. Most communication between alpacas is nonverbal. Occasionally you will hear a shrill "alarm call," which usually means they have spotted something of concern nearby, and they are warning others in the herd. The concern may be a predator, or may be something they are not familiar with, like a cow or horse in a neighboring field. Male alpacas also "serenade" females during breeding with a guttural, throaty sound called "orgling."

Alpacas mainly eat grass or hay. Grass hay is recommended, and alfalfa can be fed sparingly. Also an alpaca designed grain supplement ( about 2 cups per day per alpaca) is highly recommend. The soils in the United States do not have some of the more common nutrients found the South American soils. Horse sweet feed will not have those nutrients needed.

Alpacas are a small and relatively easy livestock to maintain. They stand about 36' high at the withers (where the neck and spine come together) and weigh between 120 to 200 pounds. Like other types of livestock, alpacas need basic shelter and protection from heat and foul weather. Good nutrition is essential for healthy animals. Hay, nutritional supplement (alpaca feed ) , and fresh clean water should be available at all times. Alpacas also require yearly shearing to keep them cool in the summer. Alpacas do not have hooves; instead they have two toes, with hard toenails on top and a soft pad on the bottom of their feet. Their padded feet minimize the impact on the pasture. To ensure proper foot alignment and comfort, their toenails must be trimmed as needed.

Alpacas come in a wide variety of 22 natural colors ranging from bright white to true black with all shades of brown, grey and rose grey.

A cria is the name for a baby alpaca. Weaned crias are known as weanlings or tuis. In Spanish the adult males are known as machos and the adult females are hembras, or dams. An average weight of a cria when born is between 16- 20lbs

Many people do have alpacas purely as companion animals. They can make very good pets if they are treated well and the owners are realistic in their expectations. They are more cat-like than dog-like in their attitude towards us humans – somewhat timid but very curious and intelligent. Most alpacas, with time and handling, will eat out of your hand and walk on a halter. Some enter their alpacas in performance events, such as obstacle courses and have a lot of fun doing so. Most alpacas are especially sensitive to being touched on their heads and legs. They each have their own personality and some are quite cuddly and affectionate!

There is a growing market for alpaca fleece. Income from sale of alpaca fleece is typically adequate to cover the cost of care (food, medical, etc.), so they earn their keep. Alpacas are primarily raised as an investment opportunity in North America. Currently the market value for alpacas is in the animals themselves – breeding them and selling the offspring provides a very good return on investment

Alpacas and their close relatives llamas, are members of the camelid family, as are camels, guanacos and vicunas. The main differences between alpacas and their llama cousins are that alpacas are smaller, friendlier and the alpacas have luxurious fiber. There are two types of Alpacas- Huacaya and Suri

The following sites have alpaca halters and leads as well as other health products ​Jeffers Pet Supplies, Horse Supplies, Livestock Supplies | Jeffers Pet ​Alpaca Halter - Light Livestock - Light Livestock (lightlivestockequipment.com) ​3-Way Adjustable Alpaca Halters (useful-items.com) EZ-ON Alpaca (llamaproducts.com) Alpaca feed can be purchased from Count Your blessings Farm or ​HOME | rowenutrition

Yes, like the rest of the camel family, they can. It is probably their only vice and one of their only defense mechanisms. The good news is that alpacas rarely spit at people. If a person does get hit it is usually because they got caught in the crossfire between two alpacas, squabbling over food or attention! The spit is a fine spray of partially digested grass, not too pleasant smelling, but it brushes off once dry. Rare but it does happen, This happened when I got between and visitor female who didn't want to be bred. So it was intended for the Alpaca male but she got this human male instead :)

No. Alpacas have very strong herd instincts and need the companionship of other alpacas to thrive, preferably three or more. Alpacas are livestock, and should not be treated as house pets. Alpacas should be kept with their own sex with a few exceptions.

Shelter requirements vary depending on the weather and predators in the area. As a rule, alpacas need at least a three-sided open shelter where they can escape from the heat of the sun in summer and from icy wind and snow in winter. Alpacas appreciate good ventilation, and owners have found that large overhangs outside of the shelter are used more often than an enclosed barn. In general, fencing construction and design is dictated by the threat of local predators. Also, fence openings need to be the correct size for alpacas to prevent injury from entangling their neck and limbs.