Keeping Your Alpacas Warm: Winterizing Barns, Shelters and Pastures for Cold Weather Care

When winter hits, alpaca owners need to take extra steps to keep their animals comfortable, healthy and protected from the elements. Alpacas are native to the Andes Mountains and are well adapted to cold weather, but extremes of cold, moisture, wind and ice can create challenges. Proper winterizing of barns, shelters and pastures is essential for your alpacas’ wellbeing.

Assessing Your Climate and Alpacas’ Winter Needs

The first step is understanding your particular climate and how cold your winters get. Areas that regularly see below freezing temps and snow will require more intensive winterizing than warmer, drier regions. The condition, age and health of your individual alpacas is important too. Crias, pregnant/nursing females, elderly and compromised alpacas will need extra protection.

When evaluating your situation, look at:

• Average temperatures/wind chills – What are the coldest usual temps and extremes in your area? Wind chill is a crucial factor too.
• Snowfall – Frequent heavy snow is a challenge. It can block shelters, food/water access and needs frequent clearing.
• Ice – Icy conditions increase injury risks and can damage shelters.
• Moisture – Wetness and mud can lead to cold stress even if not extremely cold.
• Sun exposure – Good sun exposure helps dry and warm shelters and pastures.
• Natural shelter – Existing windbreaks, hills and trees help block wind and precipitation.
• Length of winter – The duration you need to maintain winter housing/care is longer in colder climates.

Once you know your typical winter conditions, you can evaluate your alpacas’ specific needs. Some considerations:

• Age – Very young, old or pregnant alpacas are most vulnerable. Assess their needs and house accordingly.
• Health – Alpacas who are underweight, have chronic issues or are recovering from illness will require extra protection.
• Fiber – Sheared vs unsheared alpacas have vastly different cold tolerance. Time shearing based on your winters.
• Snow/mud tolerance – Not all alpacas readily go out in snow/mud. Adjust housing, feeding and pasture access accordingly.

 

Preparing Winter Housing for Optimal Warmth

Proper housing setup is essential to keep alpacas cozy and sheltered from winter’s harshness. Barns and shelters should be well-constructed, draft-free and designed to allow alpacas to stay dry and out of the elements as needed.

Barn/Shelter Considerations

Here are key factors in preparing alpaca housing:

• Location – Situate barns away from prevailing winds in natural shelters if possible. Having good sun exposure and drainage is ideal.
• Size – Make sure housing is sized appropriately for your herd with room for all alpacas to lay down. 10-30 sq ft per alpaca is recommended.
• Ventilation – Barns still need ventilation to prevent moisture buildup, but avoid drafts. Opt for ridge vents, spacing between wall boards.
• Lighting – Supplemental lighting may help maintain normal cycles for breeding and behavior health.
• Insulation – Adding insulation in walls, ceilings and floors adds warmth. Fiberglass, mineral wool and polyurethane foam are options.
• Wind blocks – Close off open sides facing prevailing winds with tarps, plywood or wind barrier fencing.
• Bedding – Deep bedding of straw or shavings gives cushioning and insulation from frozen ground.
• Heating – Localized safe heating pads, panels or heat lamps can provide comfort zones for vulnerable alpacas.
• Water – Install heated buckets/troughs to ensure water supply won’t freeze. Check frequently.
• Feeding – Feeders should be designed to minimize hay waste. Having extras under cover helps keep feed dry.

Specific Winter Housing Ideas

Here are some specific types of housing that work well for alpacas in cold conditions:

• Insulated barn with stall areas – Gives ability to separate alpacas by age, health, breeding status, etc. Allows flexibility.
• Three-sided shelters – Opens face away from prevailing winds and can be partially enclosed. Provides outdoor access.
• Calf huts – Plastic igloo-shaped huts give wind/moisture protection for individual alpacas. Clean between uses.
• Hay bale windbreaks – Rows of stacked hay bales stacked can create temporary shelters and wind blocks.
• Cold frames – Hoop house style structures with plastic covers offer an insulated, covered outdoor space.
• Portable sheds – Small sheds on skids allow moving to fresh pasture or creating new shelters easily.

Regardless of housing type, the keys are controlling drafts, separating alpacas by needs and keeping their living space dry and well bedded. Monitor housing daily to make sure alpacas are using spaces appropriately and no bullying is happening.

Winter Care Strategies by Alpaca Type

Not all alpacas have the same needs in winter. Housing, nutrition and care tactics should account for differences in age, pregnancy status and health conditions.

Crias

Young crias have special cold weather considerations:

• Keep crias under six months inside in warmer areas. Provide calf coats for outdoor time.
• Ensure adequate colostrum and milk supply from dams. Supplement if needed.
• Feed cria-specific starter pellet feeds for digestion and energy. Offer free choice grass hay.
• Watch for shivering, weakness, dehydration and malnutrition signs.
• Make sure crias can access food and water – use lowered feeders.
• Provide extra bedding for crias to nestle into.
• Separate sick, weak or premature crias for added oversight and care.

Pregnant and Nursing Mothers

Pregnant and nursing alpacas have increased nutritional needs:

• Give access to shelter at signs of pending birth for privacy and bonding.
• Increase calories with grain/pellet supplements in last trimester and during nursing.
• Free choice hay is essential – alfalfa provides extra nutrition for pregnancy/lactation.
• Ensure easy water access, or bring fresh water several times daily.
• Watch body condition and increase feed as needed to maintain healthy weight.
• Separate from herd at any signs of trouble – anorexia, lethargy, weakness, abortion risk.

Elderly Alpacas

Alpacas over 10 years old benefit

from extra provisions:

• House elderly alpacas in warmest, draft-free areas. Provide jackets for time outdoors.
• Check Senior animals frequently for signs of weakness, weight loss, isolation from herd.
• Increase calorie-dense feeds, or switch to senior feed formula. Ensure adequate protein.
• Make water and feed easily accessed – use low-set buckets/hay racks.
• Trimming overgrown teeth can help struggling eaters. Nutritional paste supplements are an option too.
• Increase bedding depth and traction for comfort and mobility.

Sheared vs Unshered Alpacas

Shearing status is a major factor in cold tolerance:

• Shear in spring/summer only if winters are cold. Leave full fiber coat for warmth in winter.
• For milder climates, shear in advance of winter for herd health. Provide blankets/coats for shorn alpacas.
• Separate shorn and unshorn alpacas, as shorn will need extra housing protections.
• Increase nutritional density post-shearing to compensate for energy needs.
• Check newly shorn alpacas frequently as risk of hypothermia is high immediately after shearing.

Compromised/Recovering Alpacas

Sick, injured and underweight alpacas are most vulnerable:

• Consult vet on housing and nutritional advice for compromised animals. Energy needs may be higher.
• Separate from herd to prevent bullying and competition at feed. Confine smaller spaces to conserve energy.
• Monitor water and food closely. Assist access if needed. Provide warmed or soaked feed if struggling.
• Increase calorie-dense feeds in frequent small meals for recovery needs.
• Use blankets, jackets and calf coats to help conserve body heat when energy reserves are low.
• Keep recovering alpacas in sheltered spaces with extra bedding away from drafts and moisture.

Winterizing Your Pastures and Grazing Areas

While barns provide important shelter, most alpacas spend significant time grazing outdoors. Preparing pastures properly helps ensure health and productivity all winter long.

Strategies for Access and Grazing Management

Manage winter pastures smartly:

• Rotate pastures over winter months to avoid overgrazing any area.
• Plow snow or create lanes through deep drifts to allow pasture access.
• Use temporary fencing to allocate smaller grazing areas and rotate frequently.
• Open up or expand any new grazing areas to be utilized in winter months.
• Remove manure piles frequently and spread them over pastures as fertilizer.

Improving Winter Pasture Conditions

Take measures to improve your pasture conditions:

• Plant winter hardy grass mixes and stockpile forage in advance of winter months.
• Allow pastures to grow taller in fall – 3-4 inches – leaving more insulative thatch.
• Apply fertilizer to encourage fall growth. Nutrients leach less in cold temps.
• Drag or harrow pastures before snows to evenly distribute manure left behind.
• Place bales of hay out in pastures. This keeps forage accessible when snow covered.
• Add sand or wood ash on muddy areas to improve traction and drainage.

Providing Natural Windbreaks

Wind protection is hugely beneficial in pastures:

• Use any existing hills, structures, hay bales or dense trees as natural barriers.
• Plant fast growing trees and shrubs to create new permanent windbreaks over time.
• Position transportable wind fencing, fabric panels or snow fencing to block prevailing winds.
• SiteFeeders and shelters out of the wind, and use these structures to help block wind.
• Leave areas of corn stubble or uncut field edges for temporary winter protection.

Ensuring Adequate Water Supply

Water access gets tricky in winter:

• Use heaters for stock tanks and buckets to prevent freezing. Check 2-3 times a day.
• Break ice regularly in water troughs or tanks. Carry fresh water if needed.
• Consider heated automatic waterers. They provide constant access, but avoid reliance on electricity.
• Place waterers out of wind to deter freezing. Insulate/heat lines running to tanks and hydrants.
• Give free choice salt to encourage drinking. Add molasses or apple cider vinegar to improve palatability if intake seems low.

Providing Supplemental Feed and Changing Nutrition Needs

Winter nutrition needs change with environment, activity levels and digestive efficiency. Adjust feed programs and provide supplements as needed.

Meeting Energy and Nutrient Needs

• Feed top quality grass and alfalfa hay free choice – the basis of nutritional needs.
• Increase grain or pelleted feed amounts above summer levels. The extra energy helps offset cold stress.
• Ensure adequate Vitamin A, E, C, Calcium and Phosphorous for maintaining health, immunity and bone strength.
• Provide loose salt, minerals and kelp supplements free choice for micronutrient balance.
• Switch mature animals to a specially formulated winter feed blend for added energy.
• Watch body condition and increase supplements for alpacas losing weight or struggling to maintain.

Feeding Strategies and Logistics

• Feed in morning to allow full day’s digestion and grazing. Hay at end of day gives comfort and warmth during coldest nights.
• Ensure animals lower in herd hierarchy are getting adequate shares by feeding in several spots.
• Shake hay from bales daily to fluff and remove moisture. Discard musty hay, and feed only freshest portions.
• Use slow-feed hay nets, small-holed nets and varied hay feeder types to prevent gorging and waste.
• Provide feeders under shelters and windbreaks so alpacas are comfortable accessing feed.
• Chop and soak hay or pellets for elderly/compromised alpacas struggling with digestion and tooth issues.

Signs of Problems

Watch for these indicators of inadequate nutrition:

• Weight loss, especially over back and hips. Feel for loss of muscle tone and fatty pads.
• Lack of energy, reluctance to get up, move stiffly, isolation from herd.
• Hunched posture with knees gathered under belly to conserve body heat.
• Soft, clumpy or irregular feces. Diarrhea or constipation.
• Dull hair coat, faded coloring or obvious coat thinning.
• Increased parasite load. Anemia, bottle jaw or swollen belly can indicate higher worm burdens.
• Loss of appetite, disinterest in pellets/grains, picky eating, decreased cud chewing.

Providing Coats, Blankets and Other Winter Gear

While not always essential, some alpacas benefit from extra layers in the form of coats, blankets, booties and more.

Choosing Alpaca Outerwear

• Select coats/blankets with water resistance, windblocking outer layer, insulating inner layer. Sturdy straps, buckles and grommets are a must to keep gear secured.
• Measure alpacas accurately for good fit. Ill-fitting coats can rub, cause injury and not provide intended protection.
• Choose breathable, wicking fabric next to skin. Avoid condensation and skin chafing.
• Opt for coats and blankets with neck, chest and belly coverage – key heat loss areas.
• Use coats/blankets that are easy on/off for flexibility. Easier to remove on sunny winter days when alpacas get overheated.
• Purchase camouflage, blaze orange or bright colors for visibility if alpacas are in snowy or dense pastures.

Blanket and Coat Uses

Examples of when extra outerwear is beneficial:

• After shearing when fiber is short and unable to retain heat
• For elderly alpacas with thinning fleece unable to keep warm
• In bitter cold when windchills will drop well below freezing for long periods
• For sick, injured or underweight alpacas with depleted energy reserves
• For vulnerable crias when temps dip below 20°F who still need to nurse
• During extreme weather events – blizzards, ice storms, bitter winds
• For alpacas being transported to protect from drafts in trailers

Additional Winter Accessories

Beyond coats and blankets, also consider:

• Leg wraps – Helps protect legs from moisture, cold and potential scrapes/injuries
• Neck covers – Keeps necks warm for alpacas without dense neck fiber
• Boots/booties – Provides traction on ice and prevents snow/ice buildup on feet
• Weatherproofing agents – Sprays help repel moisture from fiber coats

Monitoring Alpacas Vigilantly for Signs of Problems

Meticulous monitoring and awareness of subtle condition changes is crucial for winter health. Be alert for any of these issues:

Signs of Hypothermia

• Shivering, tremors, stiffness, stilted gait
• Worsening lethargy, weakness, unresponsive
• Seeking heat – sitting hunched up, crammed against other alpacas
• Rapid, shallow breathing, low oxygen levels (check gums)
• Cold ears, lips, legs – check for severely low body temperature

Signs of Dehydration

• Skin stays tented when pinched, dry gums
• Sunken, dull eyes, lethargic attitude
• Minimal urine output, highly concentrated urine
• Strange behaviors – eating snow, mud, wood chewing
• Difficulty nursing for crias, compromised milk supply in dams

Dampness and Cold Stress

• Matting, clumping, fading of fiber coat
• Weight loss from calories expended maintaining body heat
• Increase in dandruff, dry flaky skin
• Increase in tenderfoot, infections between toes
• Nasal discharge, runny eyes, increased respiratory rate

Nutrition and GI Issues

• Changes in manure – diarrhea, constipation, off color/texture
• Slow eating, fussy appetite, teeth grinding
• Reduced cud chewing activity
• Failure to gain weight, obvious weight loss in hips/back
• Lackluster fiber, easily broken hair shafts

Reproduction Concerns

• Late winter abortions, stillbirths
• Premature or weak crias with poor vigor
• Agalactia – lack of milk production in dams
• Poor conception rates, need to rebreed females
• Rams showing low libido, disinterest in breeding

Prompt individual care, treatment adjustments and veterinary advice is warranted at any signs of declining condition or illness. Don’t hesitate to act quickly to resolve issues and prevent prolonged strain or suffering. With attentive housing, care and monitoring, you can help ensure your alpacas stay healthy and thrive right through the coldest months.