How to Build an Alpaca Barn

Alpacas are becoming very popular pets, and there is good money to be made from raising these adorable animals. So if you want to start an alpaca farm, you first need to build an alpaca barn. Building a barn is not something to be taken lightly, as there are many things that need to be considered in order for it to be safe for your alpacas, and for it to work properly. In the long run, it is best to hire a building contractor to build the barn for you, unless you have experience in construction. Before you begin building, be sure to get a written estimate. You will most likely go over budget, and construction will take longer than you may think it should, but remember that building it right, is much cheaper and quicker that building it over.

Things You'll Need

  • Lumber
  • Nails
  • Screws
  • Other building implements
  • A contractor
  • An electrician
  • A plumber
  • Sheet steel
  • Roofers
  • Roofing implements
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Get a survey of your property lines and make sure you have all of the permits that you need before building. Land disputes are never fun, so also make sure you are within your property lines, and not encroaching on your neighbor’s property.

    • 2

      Decide where you want to place your alpaca barn. The best position is going to be the most level, driest place on your property. Remember that your alpaca will want plenty of room to wander around inside and outside of the barn.

    • 3

      Build a fence around the area where you want your barn to be located. First, place braces at specific intervals to secure the tension of the wire. Position posts evenly between the braces. Next, stretch or unroll the fencing, depending on whch is required, and then secure it to the posts. Make sure it is high enough that your alpacas won’t get out.

    • 4

      Remove any harmful trees or plants. Trees can make building difficult, and some leaves, like those from cherry trees, are poisonous to alpacas. If you use a stump grinder, instead of uprooting the tree, it will reduce the size of the hole. This is due to the fact that the roots stay in the ground.

    • 5

      Begin building the barn. Unless you have some construction experience, it is best to use a contractor. Make sure that you select a good company and use high quality materials to ensure that the barn lasts longer.

    • 6

      Have an inspector walk through the barn to make sure everything is safe, secure, and in order, BEFORE bringing an alpaca animal to inhabit it.