Related Packages

To kick off 2011, Ameripaca has put together a group of starting packages.  These packages are designed to get new breeders off on the right foot or to add value to existing herds by offering many different bloodlines at affordable prices.

 When I put a package together, I consider many factors.  I put a lot of thought into each package to ensure my customers don’t make the mistake I made as a brand new alpaca owner.  My first purchase consisted of three alpacas:  a dam, her first cria, and an unrelated weanling.  While this seemed reasonable at the time, I quickly realized that it was a big mistake.  The alpacas hummed all the time, and were clearly unhappy.  Alpacas are very social animals and I had purchased three alpacas in different age groups.  It was like expecting a teenager to be best friends with a forty year old woman or a toddler.  No one had a buddy.  So, I purchased another dam and cria, another weanling, and two geldings.  Then, they were happy.

 Each suri package consists of females of similar ages that are unrelated if possible.  This allows a future male offspring to be bred to the other two or three females in the package.  I also aim for the same pregnancy status.  It is wonderful if several crias are born around the same time so they have a built-in play group.  Crias really enjoy playing with each other!

Some packages include just weanlings.  This age group has several advantages.  First, it allows them time to acclimate to your farm and bond to you before they get bred (when progesterone levels tend to make them more aloof to humans).  Second, it is the perfect age to halter train them which makes them much easier to handle when they are older and need to travel to a show or for an outside breeding.  Third, if the package is a show quality level (as opposed to production level) it allows you to personally take them in the show ring and advertise your new farm name.

 I have included several price ranges.  Prices are based on color, blood lines, age, previous production and show readiness.  One can purchase a production female bred to an exceptional male with the potential to produce a show quality offspring for a much lower price than a female ready to walk into the show ring.  Show ready females have the advantage of getting you out before the public and other breeders, thus speeding up the process of name recognition for your farm.  However, they have the disadvantage of being at least a year away from producing a cria.  Production females will often produce a cria for you in less than a year, potentially giving you a cria to sell.  This is the quickest way to see a return on your investment.  Some colors are more rare than others and prices often are higher in the “hard to get” colors. 

I do not have packages with old females (over 8).  I personally think it is unfair to transplant the old girls that have produced well for me over the years and are comfortably set in their lifestyle at Ameripaca.  They will live their lives out here.  As I previously noted, alpacas are social animals and I have observed strong friendships between females that have been together for years. 

Suri males included in packages are chosen for their color, lock type, and level of luster.  Each female in the group is considered when I choose a junior herdsire for the group.  Of course, I have chosen males that are unrelated to the females in the group.   If you like a group of females but would prefer a different male, I am amenable to changes, provided the male you like is still available.  For weanling packages a young male is included.  Each female sold comes with a free breeding to a herdsire at Ameripaca, so you won’t really need a herdsire of your own (to breed at your farm) for about two years.  (Our Females are typically bred at eighteen months and the gestation is close to a year.  Weanlings are from 6-12 months of age).

 What if you don’t see a package you like?  We also can put together custom packages for you.  Just email us with the breed, color, price range, age, number of animals desired, and your breeding goals and we will send you a package!

 Finally, while many of these packages are very affordable, they are not “going out of business” prices.  Ameripaca is here for the long haul.  We pride ourselves on our client support and have 18 years of experience to share with you.  We hope that by offering some more affordable packages new people will be able to get into the business and enjoy these amazing animals!