4. Include a series of small paddocks in your pasture layout. As your herd grows, there are always needs to segregate. Alpacas are by nature very quick to move, and it is easier to corner them for haltering in smaller areas.

5. If your initial purchase is to be two or three alpacas, think about purchasing bred females or a pet quality animal. Chances are there are good males to breed your females to within a short range of your farm.

6. Include a veterinarian in your buying decisions when possible. At the least, have a pre-purchase veterinarian examination of the alpaca your are about to purchase. Check jaw position (bite), teeth, eyes, lets for correctness, heart, lungs and over-all confirmation.

7. Early on, get recommendations for and locate a good veterinarian - ideally one with camelid experience, although this is not always possible. Understand his or her fee structure.

8. When visiting farms looking for animals to buy, notice how much "hands on" care is evident. This can be determined by how the breeder interfaces with the animals in your presence, a well as through questions about the daily routine of the farm. Purchasing alpacas who are used to being touched and haltered makes startup easier.

9. Locate a good source for hay. You are going to need roughly a bale per week per alpaca in the winter and somewhat less in the summer. Protein level should be about 12 to 14%, not higher or too much lower than this. It is a good practice to test your hay for protein, at least the first time you use it, and then periodically from then on. It goes without saying you should arrange dry storage for hay.

10. A feed supplement is recommended, particularly for the winter months. There are several kinds of feed programs, and this is a good topic to cover during your initial farm visits. Everyone has their own thoughts and there are a number of approaches that will work. Mettowee Valley Farm makes its own mix, combining sweet crimped oats, cracked corn and soy meal. To this we add a mineral supplement.