LOAFING SHED FOR ALPACAS

A loafing shed is a three-sided shelter you construct and may be all the shelter your alpacas need. You'll have to take several things into consideration to decide if a barn or a shed is right for your animals.

First thing to consider: How severe are your winters?

If you have very severe winters, you will probably want a shelter that you can close your alpacas in at night. Snow storms or extremely cold weather with winds might warrant investing in a barn. Lots of electrical storms may be another reason to keep your alpacas in a barn.

Second: What kind of predators do you have?

If you have predators that might strike your herd at night or early morning hours, a barn may be a safer place for them.

Third: Do you have a clean outside area to birth and keep cria warm?

You may want to keep Mom and cria inside for a few hours after birth. Especially if you breed in the winter.

If you have decided a 3 sided shed will work for you, then there are considerations there, too.

First: Make sure that your shed faces the opposite direction of prevailing winds. Alpacas don't like wind. Your livestock shed should provide a place out of the wind.

Second: Alpacas are herd animals and like to gather together.

Make sure your shed can accomodate the majority of alpacas in that pasture.

Third: Make sure you place your shed on higher ground so water doesn't drain into it. One of our pastures forms a lake when it rains hard so we were sure not to place it there. Know your land.

We built our shed out of Mikes' building knowledge and did not use exact plans. We found a couple of plans for you to look at to get an idea of how you might want to build your shelter. Just click on the links below.

Adirondack style shed Another 3 sided shed idea.

Hope this helps you to decide if a loafing shed or a barn is right for your alpacas.

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