Deciding whether you will agist (board) your animals with another breeder or actively manage your own herd will determine how much capital you will need. Many breeders start investing in alpacas by purchasing several females and one male. Others wait to purchase a breeding quality male. Prices can vary substantially depending on color, conformation, fleece quality, quantity, age and sex. A small barn or shelter, built especially to house 15 to 20 alpacas, might cost about $10,000 to $15,000 if you contract for its construction. Fencing could add several thousand more dollars to your budget. If you manage the herd yourself, you'll require an inventory of halters, shears, toenail clippers, lead ropes and other miscellaneous gear. These items would probably add $500 to your initial costs. Insurance is a consideration, and a year's supply of feed and grain will probably be required. If a person were to begin raising alpacas at this own ranch, a typical start-up budget might look like this:

If you planned to agist your animals, a first year start-up budget might look like this:

---