AlpacaPedia

Alpaca Related Basic Education and Information

Created and maintained by Dianna Jordan, Alpacas of Somerset Farm

Ranch visits are the best way to find out about alpacas, the opportunities associated with an alpaca business, and information about the alpaca owners who may be your mentors.  Whether you are just curious or seriously considering the opportunity there are certain things you can do to make the most out of your ranch visit.

7 Tips for a Successful Ranch Visit

Whether you are just curious about alpacas or seriously considering the opportunities available through alpaca ownership, there are certain things you can do to make the most out of your ranch visit.

1. Schedule visits in advance.  Alpaca owners want to be available to spend time with visitors.  This often means scheduling ranch visits around daily ranch operations.  If you arrive without an appointment you may find it is a not a good time, due to day-to-day activities, for your host to break away and conduct a ranch tour or spend time talking with you.  Most ranch owners do not want to turn you away or make you feel unwelcome, but the timing may just not be right at that moment.

2. When you call, ask if the ranch has a policy about bringing dogs, large or small, on the property.  If you normally travel with a dog ask the owner if they have a concern. In the eyes of alpacas, dogs are predators.  The sight or scent of an unfamiliar dog could be a very stressful situation for some alpacas and cause them to become agitated.  Some ranches may have Livestock Guardian Dogs on duty.  Generally accepting of strangers in the pastures, these dogs will not tolerate the presence of unknown dogs.  Even if the dog is left in the vehicle, the guardian dogs will pick up the scent and respond accordingly……..loud, consistent barking until the perceived threat is removed.

3. Let the owner know the purpose of your visit.  Whether you are just curious about alpacas, looking for something different to do, or are seriously interested in alpacas for possible purchase let the owner know the purpose of your visit.  Tours will generally take less time than a visit from someone interested in learning about the alpaca business.

4. Let the owner know if you are bringing children and their ages.  Some ranches plan for children by having age appropriate activities planned or handouts prepared in advance.  One of the things we do is provide an “Alpaca Fast Facts” handout complete with questions and answers based on the information.  If children have “show and tell” or sharing sessions at school this information gives them something to talk about. Young children often get very excited when they see alpacas and alpacas are easily spooked by sudden loud noises (screaming, yelling) and movement.  One of the things we do is ask for the name of the child or children.  We have a form letter, “written and signed” by one of our alpacas that we address to the child and send in advance of the visit.  The letter explains the things that frighten the alpaca and how they would like the child to behave.  We have found this to be very effective and often hear the children telling the adults how to behave around the alpacas and why.  The children come on to the ranch looking forward to meeting the letter writer.  

5. Follow the lead of the owner when interacting with the alpacas.   Chances are, based on the purpose of your visit and whether or not you have children with you the owners have arranged to have a few alpacas isolated for you to touch.  You may be invited in to the pen or the alpaca may be led out to greet you. It’s important to understand that generally alpacas do not like to be constrained or fussed over.  Follow the lead of your host and only approach the alpaca when invited or directed.

6. If you have children with you please make sure they do not run loose among the alpacas and they follow the directions of the owner.  Keep in mind what was said above about alpacas being easily spooked by sudden loud noises and movement.  

7. Prepare questions in advance if you are looking for information about the alpaca business.  We recommend you carry a small notebook with as you visit ranches and jot the answers down.  If you are visiting several ranches this is a good way to keep all the information in one place for reference later.  Suggested questions...

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