How to Start Alpaca Farming UK: Complete Beginner's Guide 2025

Starting Your Alpaca Farm in the UK: Step-by-Step Guide

Starting an alpaca farm in the UK can be rewarding both personally and financially. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about beginning your alpaca farming journey in 2025.

Step 1: Understand UK Regulations

Before buying alpacas, understand the legal requirements:

• CPH Number: Register your land with Rural Payments Agency (free)
• Movement License: Required for transporting alpacas
• TB Testing: Annual testing in some UK regions
• Insurance: Public liability recommended (£200-500/year)
• Planning Permission: Usually not needed for shelters under 465m²

Step 2: Prepare Your Land

Alpacas need less space than many assume:

• Stocking Density: 5-6 alpacas per acre on good grass
• Minimum Land: 0.5 acres for 3 alpacas
• Fencing: 4ft high stock fencing (not barbed wire)
• Shelter: 40 sq ft per alpaca, open-sided field shelter adequate
• Water: Automatic drinkers or daily fresh water

Step 3: Choose Your Farming Model

Decide your alpaca farming focus:

Breeding for Sale (Most Profitable)

• Investment: £10,000-30,000 initial
• Returns: £1,500-5,000 per offspring
• Timeline: 2-3 years to first sales

Fleece Production

• Investment: £2,000-5,000 for starter herd
• Returns: £50-200 per fleece annually
• Best with 10+ alpacas for commercial viability

Agritourism/Walking

• Investment: £5,000-15,000 plus insurance
• Returns: £20-50 per person per walk
• Requires public paths or suitable land access

Step 4: Buy Your First Alpacas

Start with the right animals:

• Minimum Number: 3 alpacas (they're herd animals)
• Best Starter Option: 3-4 young females or wethers
• Budget: £1,500-5,000 for starter group
• What to Look For: BAS registered, halter trained, health checked
• Where to Buy: Reputable UK breeders with aftercare support

Step 5: Daily Care Requirements

Alpacas are relatively low maintenance:

• Daily: Visual health check, fresh water (10 minutes)
• Weekly: Pasture check, poo picking (30 minutes)
• Monthly: Body condition scoring, foot check
• Annually: Shearing (May/June), vaccinations, worming

Step 6: Financial Planning

Realistic first-year budget for 3 alpacas:

• Alpacas: £1,500-5,000
• Fencing: £1,000-2,000
• Shelter: £500-1,500
• Feed/Hay: £300-600
• Vet/Medicine: £200-400
• Shearing: £90-150
• Total: £3,590-9,650

Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid

• Buying just one or two alpacas (they need companions)
• Overfeeding (leads to obesity)
• Using barbed wire fencing (damages fleece)
• Not checking for poisonous plants (ragwort, yew, rhododendron)
• Skipping annual shearing (causes heat stress)

UK Resources for New Alpaca Farmers

• British Alpaca Society (BAS) - membership and courses
• Regional alpaca groups - networking and support
• Agricultural shows - see alpacas and meet breeders
• Camelid veterinary specialists - health support

Ready to start your alpaca farming journey? Book a farm visit to learn hands-on from experienced breeders, or explore our beginner-friendly starter packages.