The Alpaca Handbook

The Complete Guide to Raising a Happy and Healthy Herd

Rebecca Gill

$57.99

Paperback

Forthcoming
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English

The Lyons Press
03 March 2026

Animal breeding; Farm & working animals

Learn how to create a safe and loving environment for your alpaca herd.

The Alpaca Handbook is the essential guide to raising, feeding, breeding, selling, and enjoying alpacas on the farm—whether you’re raising them for fun or for profit. In this book, you’ll learn everything you need to know to become a successful alpaca owner. With advice and real-world experience, Rebecca Gill of Cotton Creek Farms guides you in:

Setting up your shelter, fencing, and food source Buying, breeding, and selling alpacas Understanding and influencing alpaca behavior Taking care of herd health and medical needs Delivering healthy, happy crias Profiting from fiber, agritourism, and farm stores Involving youth in 4-H and alpaca shows And more!

Not only will you gain knowledge about keeping alpacas through every stage of their lives, you’ll also be able to create a happy, healthy home for your alpaca herd and avoid the classic mistakes that prohibit many alpaca owners from living the lifestyle they want.

By: Rebecca Gill
Imprint: The Lyons Press
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 229mm, Width: 178mm, Spine: 22mm
Weight: 712g
ISBN: 9781493092277
ISBN 10: 1493092278
Pages: 248
Publication Date: 03 March 2026
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Introduction: Raising Alpacas for Fun, Love, and Profit Chapter 1: Is the Alpaca Lifestyle Right for You and Your Farm? Chapter 2: Top Considerations and Decision Points Chapter 3: Steps for Starting an Alpaca Business Chapter 4: Visiting Farms and Finding a Mentor Chapter 5: Creating the Ideal Farm Setup and Infrastructure Chapter 6: The Beginner’s Guide to Purchasing a Starter Alpaca Herd Chapter 7: Understanding and Influencing Alpaca Behavior Chapter 8: Taking Care of Medical Issues and Herd Health Chapter 9: Diving into Fiber Characteristics and Color Genotyping Chapter 10: Options and Techniques for Breeding Alpacas Chapter 11: Delivering Healthy and Happy Cria Chapter 12: What to Know about Alpaca Shearing Chapter 13: Maximize Your Profits from Fiber Chapter 14: Setting Up a Farm Store and Agritourism Chapter 15: Involving the Youth Chapter 16: Selling Alpacas Chapter 17: Marketing Your Farm in a Digital World Afterword Suggested Resources Index

Rebecca Gill is an alpaca farmer who lives just outside of Traverse City, Michigan. In 2018, she and her husband, Jason, left the suburban life of metro Detroit, sold everything they owned, and moved north to start an alpaca farm. After buying their first set of alpacas, the duo (and their son, Hunter) fell in love with this magical animal and fully jumped into the alpaca industry. Cotton Creek Farms is now an active alpaca farm that offers breedings, alpacas for sale and interactive tours; manufactures and sells alpaca goods through their online and on-site farm store; offers color genotype consulting; and provides education and mentoring to new farms and those interested in raising alpacas. Rebecca and Jason serve on association boards, participate in internal association committees, and provide education through industry shows and webinars.