Anyone raise Alpacas?

[Cheryl]

I have been researching alpacas. They look interesting and I have found some reasonably priced ones in my area.

Just wondered if anyone had any advice or thoughts on them?

[smokey]

but about 20 years ago two of my friends bought Emus at an auction.They said they got good deals on them, but let me tell you they ate as much as a horse. I know they spend 5000 on fencing. they never got any eggs to hatch so they bought another one. and so on. Long story short.they had three birds that ate everything in sight. They got in at the end of the Emu craze, and had three birds that noone wanted. the demise of these poor birds is one that would be told on another day.

smokey

[Mark J]

Same thing with the ostrich.
The ostrich craze we saw a single ostrich egg selling for 12 grand.
It was the next best thing that was going to make everybody rich.

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I don't reckin you could give away an ostrich egg these days.

In the case of an alpaca I would wait until I found someone wanting to unload one for free or next to nothing.
They shear those things too but keep in mind, if you aren't shearing yourself and you don't have a market for the shearings, what have you got?

Another boat.
A hole to throw money in.