Finding the right home for your alpaca is an important decision. There are many wonderful alpaca farms in the United States that provide alpaca boarding. I believe Springtime Farms is one of them.
Alpaca boarding at Springtime Farms in Westcliffe, Colorado is $90 per month, and includes all the goods.
-Twice daily care
-Locally grown, high altitude grass hay
-Free choice minerals
-Fresh well water
-Spending night in a secure barn
-35 acres of summer pasture
-Four Akbash guard dogs for protection
-High altitude living - Springtime Farms sits at 8,000 feet. I may be a little bit biased, but I think alpaca boarding in Colorado, especially up so high, is a benefit. Fiber is softer, first cut hay has more protein, and there are few bugs
-Toenail and teeth trimming as needed.
-Five year experience in alpaca care
Additional Costs of Alpaca Boarding
Annual shearing costs and any vet bills are the responsibility of the alpaca owner. For the past few years, shearing has been $25 per animal. This is the cost charged by the professional shearer. Handling on shearing day is provided by Springtime Farms for no additional cost.
If an emergency comes up, I will, of course, try to reach you before calling the vet. If I can't get in touch, I reserve the right to bring the vet out. As soon as we're in touch, you can make all the decisions regarding your animal's care. I'm happy to give you as much imput as I can. In non-emergent situations, you are the last word in your animal's care.
Daily routine
The daily routine for my alpacas (and your boarded alpacas) is: Out of the barn in the morning, some time after the sun has come up. Fresh hay and water. This is the time I check on the herd to see if anything is amiss. Alpacas are good at hiding what's wrong, so knowing each alpaca's personality and habits is important.
I clean the barn each morning so they have a fresh place to hang during the day if they so desire (which they usually don't).
Each evening, before sundown, the three groups (girls, big boys and little boys) go back in the barn with more fresh hay and water. When I first started raising alpacas five years ago, I was worried about predators. As a safety measure, I put all the alpacas in the barn.
Each evening, before sundown, the three groups (girls, big boys and little boys) go back in the barn with more fresh hay and water. When I first started raising alpacas five years ago, I was worried about predators. As a safety measure, I put all the alpacas in the barn. Now that I've been at this a while, and since I have four Akbash guard dogs, I'm much less worried. (The alpacas love to go in the barn at night though.)
Here are two of the Akbash "puppies." Don't be fooled by these sweet pictures. These pups are tough.
Bette Davis gives Shameless some puppy love.
Shameless bedding down for the night outside before the little boys are put away.
Some alpaca folks in the area have had a few run-ins with predators. I've figured out the area around their farm was a contributing factor -- they have a lot of trees. I'm convinced animals aren't around because they have no place to hide. Springtime Farms is miles from any tree. Although I see a coyote from time to time, I've never seen anything else. And let me tell you, those guard dogs notice the coyotes long before I do, and they chase them off. These dogs can bark!
Visiting your boarded alpacas
Springtime Farms is a gorgeous place to visit, but it is a ways from any city. Westcliffe, CO is about two hours southwest of Colorado Springs and four hours from Denver. However, alpaca boarding in Colorado can give you a great excuse to visit this gorgeous state.
You are, of course, welcome to visit your alpacas any time. To make the trip a little easier, alpaca parents are invited to stay three nights a year at the farm. Make a mini vacation out of it, or come a few weekends a year.
The kitchen
Back porch
The farm house is pretty basic, but it has that country feel and a lot of character. I'm sure during the overnight stays, we can wrangle up some fresh eggs, maybe some goat milk. I'll bet we could even bake some bread or whip up a homemade batch of pancakes.
I have to warn you though. I've heard getting used to the farm noises can be a challenge. I sleep right through them most of the time, but they may keep you up.
I'm also happy to show you all I know about alpaca fiber. We can clean, card, spin, crochet, felt, and needle felt.
For all the time you can't be at the farm, I'd love to stay in communication about your alpacas. Just drop me an e-mail or give me a call. I understand how important your alpacas are to you. I want you to be comfortable with them at Springtime Farms.
Besides the facilities and location, I think it's important for alpaca boarders and the owner to have similar philosophies about alpacas. I know my philosophy directly impacts the way I care for my alpacas.
I adore my alpacas. They are an absolute passion. However, they are not pets. I don't squeeze and cuddle them. I'm not overly affectionate. I will rub a hand across their backs as I walk by from time to time. There are a few who will sniff the top of my head or my nose, and I LOVE that, but I don't teach them to do it.
But, these guys are livestock with a very strong instinct. I try to respect that. I try to blend with the herd while taking care of them.
During the day, except in the most inclement of weather, these guys know when they want to be outside and when they want to be inside. I don't force it.
It is my responsibility to make sure they have enough food and water. If extra nutrition is required, they will get it.
Hermione needed a little extra nutrition. She fell in love with carrots. She got them every morning and night.
I have no problem calling a vet, but I don't hand out medication like it's candy. If an alpaca has a symptom, I will treat it with or without consultation with a vet, depending on the symptom. Springtime Farms does not have a scheduled worming routine. If there's a problem, I will treat it. However, we've never had a problem.
Alpaca Boarding in Colorado Weather
I'm convinced Colorado weather is one of the reasons we've never had a worm problem at Springtime Farms. The air is dry, dry, dry. No moisture for the bugs to thrive on.
The altitude is another benefit. Some things just can't live with so little oxygen. People and alpacas are fine. But some bugs are just too little. Actually, I don't know that that's true at all. :) I do know we have very few bugs.
Another contributing factor, which has nothing to do with the weather, is a clean barn. Getting rid of the ick every morning allows the barn to dry out and stay "fresh."
Breeding and Birthing
There are no additional birthing fees (not including unlikely but possible vet bills) when boarding your alpaca at Springtime Farms. Alpaca births are a bit stressful, but they're also wonderful, so I don't mind helping for free. Besides, the alpaca does most of the work.
There are some wonderful looking studs at Springtime Farms, including two up and comers - a true black and a light fawn. These males are available for breeding for their standard breeding fee.
If you chose a stud at a different farm, transportation can be provided for a fee.
The kitchen
Back porch
