Our Alpaca Farm in VA & Paddock Design - www.AlpacaPasturesVA.com

Our Farm

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We began excavating in March 2006 by December 2006 the 40'x 24' primary barn was built and the 4 paddocks were ready for our eight Alpacas to arrive on our farm.

In May 2008 we built a 30' x 10' secondary barn with a 10' lean-to we also added a 10' lean-to to our first barn. The 4th pasture was our largest pasture, we added 700 feet of fencing to turn the one pasture into three pastures and construct the corral areas. You'll find an updated diagram of our 6 paddocks below.

Check out our step by step progress and the accommodations for our borders. CQ Article: Alpaca Farm and Paddock Design

The first Six Months: The Alpaca Barn and the Fencing were Built!

During March and April we excavated, tilled, fertilized, and planted orchard grass on about three acres.

During May our 40' x 24' Alpaca Barn was built and the orchard grass grew about three inches.

During June & July about 3000 feet of fencing and 9 corral gates were set up around our 4 paddocks.

The Alpaca Barn was painted, the lights, water, electricity, and gutters were installed.

Click each of the 5 small pictures. (The larger picture under the row of small pictures will change to the picture you clicked.)

The next Four Months: The Pastures, Corrals, and Stalls were completed!

During September, October and November the following was accomplished.

The Electrical Fence was run round the perimeter of the 4 paddocks.

Fencing was attached to the 3 corral gates around the perimeter of the paddocks.

Fencing and corral gates were installed to build the 4 - 10' x 20' Stalls and the 40' x 4' Tack Area inside the Alpaca Barn.

The 6" x 1" boards were nailed to the top and bottom of the fenced Stalls and Corral area.

Gravel was laid in the 4 Stalls, Tack Area, and the 4 - 10' x 30' Corral areas.

Gravel was laid between the Alpaca Barn and our Equipment Shed.

Porch Shades were attached to the front of the Alpaca Barn.

During December the Tack Area was setup with a cabinet, feed, hay, and straw. The feeders, heated water buckets, and heating pads were setup in the Stalls.

On December 9^th six of our Alpacas arrived at our farm the other two arrived on December 22^nd.

Here are pictures of the Pastures, Corrals, and the finished Alpaca Barn.

Click each of the 5 small pictures. (The larger picture under the row of small pictures will change to the picture you clicked.)

Here are pictures of the 4 Stalls and Tack Area.

Click each of the 5 small pictures. (The larger picture under the row of small pictures will change to the picture you clicked.)

Pictured below you will find:

Our visiting area where kids can enjoy the Rainbow swing and a wooden bench where we can watch the Alpacas play.

If you prefer, we can sit in the screened in Gazebo attached to our deck to enjoy the view and talk about Alpacas.

The 24' x 36' Equipment Shed where we keep our farm equipment.

The 24' x 36' Shelter with lights and electricity used for shearing, classes, and group picnics. (Attached to the Equipment Shed)

The 24' x 40' Hay Barn where we store our hay and a 10' x 6' trailer to transport the Alpacas.

Click each of the 5 small pictures. (The larger picture under the row of small pictures will change to the picture you clicked.)

Here is a picture and a few details about our Barn and Paddock Design.

The Barn and 4 Paddocks sit on about 3.5 acres. We have an additional 5 acres behind the back of the barn that can be used for future growth.

The Alpaca Barn is 40' x 24', it's closed in on 3 sides, there are 2 doors in the back, and it's open in the front. This design mimics a Run-In Shed, it's economical and functional.

The barn was constructed with wood and T-11 siding. It has running water, lighting, and electricity.

There are 4 - 10' x 20' Stalls, each stall opens up to a Corral Area and Pasture.

The 4 stalls each have a 4' corral gate, #8 pea gravel on the floor, 2 heated buckets, and feeders.

The mom and cria stall(s) have:

2 - 2' x 4' heated pads.

A removable 10' cattle gate wrapped in a tarp (in the front of the stall) to protect the crias from the cold.

A 9' x 4' creep area with a gate sized for the crias.

We left 4' in the back of the barn. This gives is a 40' x 4' Tack Area.

There are 4 - 10' porch shades in the front of the barn to help keep sunlight and rain out of the stalls.

We chose shades instead of using boards because they allow better ventilation in the barn.

An overhang / porch can be added to the front and sides of the barn as we grow.

The fenced Corral Area is 10' from the sides of the barn and 30' feet from the front of the barn.

The corners of the 4 corrals double as a Catch Pen when we need to halter Alpacas.

There are 4 pastures.

The 2 pastures to the Right and Left of the Alpaca Barn are larger than the middle pastures. As we grow there is plenty of room for us to divide the pastures and build additional barns.

The pastures were seeded in the spring and fall with Orchard Grass.

Fencing consists of:

4" x 4" wooden posts and Red Brand galvanized wire fencing with 2" x 4" squares.

There is 5' high fencing around the perimeter of the paddocks.

There is 4' high fencing with 6" boards above the fence inside the perimeter.   This gives us a total height of 4½ feet.

We decided to use boards inside the perimeter because some of the Alpacas lean over the fence and we wanted something that would hold their weight and wouldn't cut into their legs.

There is a 3' high Electrical Fence around the perimeter of the paddocks.

The 5' high fence and electrical fence around the perimeter of the paddocks is designed to keep predators out.

May 2008 - Our Updated Barn and Paddock Design.


Our Primary Barn	Our Secondary Barn

If you have questions or would like additional information about our design please contact us
or better yet...plan a visit.