Silvercloud Farm Getting Started

Getting Started

FARM VISITS!

Visit. Visit. Visit...

Visit an alpaca farm.

In fact, come visit us!

You will find that alpaca people come from all walks of life and are anxious to share these marvelous creatures with newcomers. Not only will you meet many wonderful people and alpacas along the way, but you are sure to learn a lot of different ways of designing and running your new farm.

We'd love to have you visit us at Silvercloud Farm! We are located just a half hour north of Pittsburgh in Gibsonia, PA. Click on the link below for directions to our beautiful Alpaca farm!

Directions to Silvercloud Farm

See our Support page to find out what we can do to help you Get Started!

ETC...

It's easy to get caught up in the excitement of starting your farm, but don't forget the essential elements:

• Create a business plan, set a budget, and stick to it.
Newcomers often focus on purchasing as many animals as possible when funds may be better spent on marketing their herd down the road. Stick to your budget... Alpacas can be quite addictive!

• FIND A VETERINARY: Alpaca veterinarians are growing in number. It is wise to establish contact with your vet and develop a relationship so he or she will be available when needed. Try and find a vet that is both close at hand and one that has experience treating Alpacas. There are many nuances to treating Alpacas that are unique to Alpacas and are not necessarily transferable from other large animals such as horses, cattle, goats and sheep.

• SELECTING YOUR ALPACAS: Now comes all the fun! It's easy to get confused with all the choices available. Don’t be overwhelmed, and as a rule, buy the best quality animals you can afford. You are selecting the Alpacas that will be the foundation of all that is to come. Breeding is all about quality and the Alpaca industry is currently driven by the breeding market in the U.S. From conformation to fleece integrity, the higher quality animals you start with, the higher you will go when you… ”breed up”! That is, to raise the positive phenotypic traits with each successive generation. At Silvercloud Farm, we offer a wide variety of some of the most sought after bloodlines in the country (see our Sales Page!) as well as Alpacas of all colors. We will assist you in making the right choices and get you started on your exciting journey to becoming an alpaca owner and breeder!

• JOIN AOBA AND OTHER LOCAL ALPACA ORGANIZATIONS: There is a wealth of information out there, and alpaca people love to talk about their beloved ALPACAS!

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ATTEND ALPACA SHOWS: There's no better way to meet alpaca people (future customers!) and see the best alpacas in the business than attending alpaca shows. Most shows also feature various and informative seminars that can answer all of you alpaca questions and bring you up-to speed! There are many alpaca shows, all-year-round and in all corners of the US. To view all upcoming AOBA sanctioned alpaca shows, visit the AOBA's Calendar of Events

Email Silvercloud Farm

SILVERCLOUD FARM
997 Deer Creek Road, Gibsonia, PA 15044-7008
Phone: (724) 444-8469 • Fax: (724) 444-8466

Or Call 1-877-MYALPACA