Arba Pike Alpacas

 

We started the Randolph County alpaca 4H program in 2005 and have had 4 successful years since.

The participants come to our farm once a week initially, increasing to twice a week once school is out. They help with daily chores and learn first hand how to care for alpacas. Through our teaching and their own research, they find out about the origins of alpacas, anatomy, and the birthing and breeding process.

They also learn about the different characteristics of alpaca fleece that make it such a luxurious fiber. They have the opportunity to work with the fiber and make a finished product.

But the most important part of raising alpacas is learning how to train them. The 4Her’s learn how to handle and calm the alpacas and halter train them. Eventually they participate in a showmanship class and a performance class, which involves taking their alpaca over a series of obstacles.

The kids really enjoy working with these intelligent animals and it is wonderful to see a young alpaca progress from not wanting to wear a halter to walking around the ring for the showmanship judge and flying over the jumps in the obstacle course.