Boarding      

WHY BOARD WITH US?
 
Because we offer outstanding, economical boarding service.
 
We are dedicated to Alpaca Farming as our full time business. As owners, we have more than seven years of experience in the industry, have attended numerous seminars and training workshops and are “hands on” each and every day. We live on the property providing additional security. Pastures are visible even from the home, allowing for on-going monitoring. EVERY animal is a priority to us!
 
Environment: Amy J’s Homestead is visitor friendly to both alpacas and their owners! We offer 36 acres of  peaceful, clean country pastures, divided into one to five acre paddocks where animals live stress free with lots of room for exercise and play. Available space permits rotation which is essential to proper health care, as well as effective separation of groups by age and gender, or dam and cria at weaning time.
 
Additional Facilities: The barn, shelters and general layout were designed and built for the alpaca. They are all well ventilated, allowing animals to stay cool in the summer, yet can be closed up to keep them warm in the winter.
 
Throughout the property, there are six large alpaca shelters, each with their own pasture, to accommodate the needs of breeding females, new crias & their moms, weanlings, yearlings, herd sires, geldings/fiber animals as well as others for temporary quarantine of animals as needed. All shelters have their own water, electric, overhead and industrial floor fans and security lights.
 
The main barn is 70 X 30 and includes a large alpaca area with awnings for additional shade and lounging, a vet’s room, offices with observation area, bathroom and storage area.. Both air conditioned and heated areas are available as needed for animal services.
 
Our barn is equipped with a camera to keep a watchful eye on our maternity or special needs ward and guard llamas are used in outside pastures to help protect your investment Five foot no-climb horse fence surrounds the entire perimeter and inner gates lead to a fenced-in road way, making it impossible for alpacas to "escape," even if a gate were accidentally left opened
 
Nutrition and Health Care: We are vigilant about sound nutrition, herd wellness and alpaca care. Every boarder is treated as a part of our herd, fed the same (Unless needing a special diet) and given the same space. In warmer months alpacas have 24 hour access to orchard/brome pastures, which are checked daily for cleanliness. The same high quality mix is fed when their pastures stop growing in the fall.
 
Cold Weather Precautions
Although there are plenty of shelters and barn space, winter births or shivering animals need extra care. A heated area is available throughout the winter for special cases. Heated water buckets are used in every shelter.
 
Summer Weather Precautions
Alpacas often have difficulty tolerating the summer heat. Industrial fans are used in all shelters, water is refreshed several times a day and alpacas are offered electrolytes in their water for an extra boost, as well as an enjoyable belly spray with cool water as needed. Workers periodically check for signs of heat stress and treat accordingly.
All animals receive Dr. Norm Evan’s Blue Seal grain supplement along with access to free choice Vitamin E minerals. Each alpaca is weighed and body scored (frequency depending on age) and we follow a protocol designed with our vets for parasite prevention. Random fecal tests are part of that process.
 
Our farm is BVD free. Complete computer herd health records are kept on each animal and available upon request. Regular deworming, vaccination, nail trimming, daily feeding, routines such as weighing, body scoring and behavior testing are included in boarding fees! (Please note exception with newborn cria)
 
We work with highly qualified and experienced Camelid vets. The farm vets include Dr. Cheryl Dewitt and Dr. Walter Bravo, (one of the most experienced in the industry,) from “Camelid Services” in Bluffton, Ohio, as well as Dr. Mike Brothers and Dr. Bob McClung from the “Tiffin Animal Hospital.”
 
Staff: All farm personnel participate in herd management, health care, neonatal and other related training. Although the farm is closed on some holidays and weekends, a staff member attends alpacas daily and appointments can be arranged as needed during normally closed periods.
 
         
     

1-10:  $3.50 per day

11-19: $3.00 per day

20+: 2.50 per day
 
Why Board at Amy J's...   Current Boarding Rates...  
   

 
Transportation:  When you do need to contract this service, your alpaca will travel in style in one of three different vehicles designed with them in mind. Whether it is our double “paca van,” our mid sized trailer or the deluxe 40 footer, your animals will travel in comfort. (See Transportation)

Client Support: We provide the quality of care and client communication one would expect when caring for your valuable investment. We will work closely with you to provide the most personalized care possible, document all treatments and services and keep you informed of your animal’s eating habits, behavior, progress or needs through periodic reports. You may request to review health records and will receive occasional pictures for your records. You may come and visit as often as you’d like. 
 
Client Bonuses
We will Board for clients who have purchased non-pet quality alpacas at NO COST for up to 60 days!
60 days free boarding when boarder purchases any full priced herdsire service. (Does not include reduced herdsire specials)
Pet quality males are offered with 30 days complimentary board.
Discounts for herds of more than 10.
Discounts for long term contracts
Free on-site orientation and training
Discounted participation for Homestead run, on-site seminars and open farm events.
One Free breeding to any Homestead solely owned herd sire for every one year contract that includes at least 10 animals. ($1,500-3,000 value!) New!
Free board for crias ages one to four months (See birthing fee)
Three free sales listings on our farm website or other internet venues with one year contracts including three or more alpacas. 
The Farmer’s Dozen rule applies at the Homestead. For every 12 alpacas, the 13th is boarded FREE. For every 12 months of a completed contract, the next month is FREE.
 
Costs: There are no hidden costs at the Homestead! The boarding fee per animal is $3.50 per day with routine care of feeding, weighing, nail trims and behavior testing included. Clients receive a service fee chart and are informed ahead of time of any additional service not included in boarding fees. Boarders can take advantage of unique and creative marketing, web tech. services, training and transportation options as well. (See special services & fees)
 
 
PREGNANT FEMALES: These ladies will be brought to the breeding barn/pasture for on-going observation beginning the 11th month. There will be a birthing charge of $150.oo for each delivery which occurs on the farm. This will cover the attention given to both cria and dam during a normal, routine labor and birth as well as subsequent post natal care. (Assistance with delivery, initial milk expressing and feeding, daily weighing of cria, cord dipping, observation, follow up documentation and care) It does not include fees should a vet be called or the special follow up procedures listed under cria below.
 
CRIAS: Some New born cria/health care (injections, treatments requiring a vet etc.) are not included in boarding costs. Crias can require additional services which include, but may not be limited to the following:
bottle feeding (only if needed)
CDT (2 day, 2 month, 6 month, annual)
IgG testing, BVD and DNA sample for ARI registration  
Microchip placement, BoSe injection at birth, Vitamin AD for limbs
Births requiring veterinary assistance will be charged based on services rendered and follow up required.

 OPTIONAL SERVICES AVAILABLE (request contract information)
Halter and lead training
Annual Shearing 
Show Preparation/Cleaning 
Transportation: Depends on distance
Marketing Animals for Sales or Stud Services beyond that included in Boarding Bonuses.
ARI or Show registration, Taking or Showing animals
Special needs for sick or injured animals or alpacas requiring daily medical care, special handling or treatments
Photography/Profile Development beyond that normally done on the farm
Stud fees or mobile transportations
Travel expenses for pick up or delivery

 
OWNERS RESPONSIBILITY
*  All boarded alpacas must have mortality insurance or the owner must sign a release stating they are acting as their own insurer.
*  All alpacas need a negative BVD PCR and fecal test along with health records showing standard care expected for alpacas before arriving at the farm. (We can isolate animals and complete these tests if you choose).
*  Vet expenses (We do as much care as possible ON SITE to avoid higher costs. You can expect to incur vet fees however for emergency services, blood pulls, ultrasounds, repro exams or other treatments not completed on the farm)
*  Optional services contracted by the client
*  Authorization to shear the alpacas yearly to protect them from summer heat stress.
*  Timely payments of boarding and optional service costs.
 

We can help market your animals, prepare and register them for shows and provide on site training as needed. A staff member is available seven days a week and we work with only highly qualified and experienced Camelid vets.


Need help transporting your animals to our farm? Contact us and we will work with you! Call   419-443-8486   for details or to arrange a visit.

  
           

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