When we decided to bring alpacas into our lives, we had no idea how much these fluffy four-legged friends would enrich our lives and challenge them at the same time. Keeping alpacas is a journey full of surprises that we would like to share with you - perhaps it will help you if you consider embarking on this adventure yourself.
Alpacas are more than just animals - they become real family members: We knew that alpacas were not dogs that would snuggle with us on the couch. But their unique personalities quickly showed us that they are more than just animals - they are real family members. Their gentle, yet idiosyncratic characters had us wrapped around their little finger in no time. We treat them not just as animals, but as part of our family. Their needs are always our top priority, and we are surprised at how deep our bond with them has become.
The herd is growing faster than expected: Another thing that surprised us: you fall in love with alpacas incredibly quickly. We originally thought that a small herd would be enough. But every new alpaca we meet captivates us. Our herd is now much larger than we had originally planned. And we are sure that we will welcome more fluffy friends through our own breeding or new purchases.
Alpacas are the number one topic of conversation : An unexpected but quite amusing surprise was how often we are asked about our alpacas. Whether it is friends, acquaintances or strangers - every conversation somehow ends with the alpacas. Their special charisma and their rarity make them the absolute highlight of every conversation. It is hard to believe how much these animals arouse people's curiosity and interest.
Keeping alpacas is a "full-time job" : Keeping alpacas is not a hobby that you can do on the side. It is a 24/7 job that requires full dedication and attention. Vacation? Hardly conceivable without a helping hand. But the time we spend on the alpaca pasture still feels like a vacation. Everyday life with the animals has its own kind of relaxation and fulfillment - and we wouldn't want to miss this experience for anything in the world.
Veterinary costs can be high: Another aspect that surprised us is the potentially high veterinary costs. If one of the alpacas gets sick, the costs can quickly run into the thousands. It is important to be prepared and to have a financial cushion for such cases. This reality is as much a part of keeping alpacas as the joy the animals bring you.
The loss hurts incredibly: over time, you build a very close relationship with the alpacas. The loss of an animal hurts deeply, as we have unfortunately already experienced. These emotional challenges are part of keeping alpacas and are often harder than you can imagine.
Not everyone likes alpacas - Unbelievable but true: As much as we love our alpacas, we have also found that not everyone is so enthusiastic about them. Unfortunately, there have been situations where nails have been found in our pasture - a sad but true indication that not everyone shares our joy in these animals. However, such experiences have only made us even stronger in our resolve to be there for our animals.
Alpacas have a huge appetite : Alpacas eat and eat. And that means that you have to regularly get hay in large quantities, even when the pasture is full of fresh grass. Their feeding needs are high and require constant attention - an aspect that we initially underestimated.
Every alpaca is unique: Over time we have learned that every alpaca is unique. They are as individual as we humans are - every animal has its own character, preferences and peculiarities. This diversity is what makes keeping alpacas so exciting and fulfilling.
Our advice to anyone who is thinking about keeping alpacas: take your time. Visit other alpaca farms or breeders first and get thorough advice. As cute and cuddly as the animals are, the decision to bring alpacas into your life should be well thought out. Visit us at our small alpaca farm in Lower Franconia, near Giebelstadt, and see for yourself.
Despite all the challenges, we would always choose alpacas. These animals have changed our lives in an indescribably positive way - and we are grateful for every single experience we have had with them.
