NOTE: Pet Quality does not necessarily mean the alpaca or llama is friendly like a puppy dog. Alpacas and llamas, in general, are more cat-like in their temperament, and really do not preferred to be overly handled. Alpacas and llamas are social animals and can become depressed or very stressed if they are not with others of the same species. It is important to keep alpacas and/or llamas in herds of no less than 3, with 5 or more being optimal for their social and overall health and well-being.
CARE: It is necessary that you and your family are willing to care for the alpacas/llamas health monthly, which includes an Ivermectin injection once every 30 days to protect the alpaca/llama from Meningeal infection. Adequate shelter (3-sided shed), alpaca/llama specific food (soft 2nd or 3rd cutting grass hay, pasture, minerals), fresh water, and fencing (keeping dogs away) and once yearly shearing is required. Fans in the heat of the summer, fresh clean water daily, and a good 2nd cutting hay free choice. It is also very important to have a knowledgeable camelid veterinarian nearby.
APPLICATION: We require a completed application, so we may best match the alpacas or llamas to your experience level and goals for owning and raising alpacas/llamas. Click HERE to start your application.
Double 8 Alpaca & Llama Ranch will offer mentoring to new alpaca/llama owners. The continued care of the animals after they leave our farm is important to us.
PRICE RANGE: Call to discuss price ranges 703-628-1930
We offer production females, herd sires, stud services, and non breeders for sale.
We tend to shy away from calling alpacas and llamas "pets" as it's our belief that alpacas and llamas are livestock and should be kept in herds. Alpacas and llamas are more cat-like in their temperaments and do not care to be petted or hugged. Alpacas and llamas do have varying temperaments like every other livestock species. In general, an alpaca or llama who is tolerant of being petted or hugged without exhibiting dangerous behaviors towards their human is very rare. With all this said, our alpacas and llamas have varying temperaments and about 1/10 of our herd will approach us for the occasional treat. A properly socialized alpaca or llama will not disrespect your personal space. Any animal (dog, horse, goat, sheep, alpaca, llama) that pushes into your space, gets into your face, or bops into you may have been over handled as a young animal, not taught proper boundaries, and may even view humans as part of their herd. Any animal exhibiting this behavior can become dangerous towards humans especially if they are mature males. Please research Aberrant Behavior Syndrome, or Berserk Male Syndrome.
Most of our alpacas and llamas are halter trained. We halter train our alpacas and llamas for the following reasons:
1. Management: A haltered alpaca or llama can be easier to manage during herd health days, when an animal is sick and needs to visit a veterinarian, or if needed to be moved or evacuated.
2. Attend Shows: Depending on how well the alpaca or llama accepts the halter training process and how well they lead on halter will determine if we take them off farm to attend shows. If an alpaca or llama is too nervous, we will show their fleece once its shorn instead of taking them off farm.
3. 4H, Youth Show Club, and Trekking: Alpacas or llamas tolerant to walking on lead and doing obstacles are used by our non-ownership 4H members and will be used for our future trekking (hiking) trips.