We built our first barn in the summer of 2002 to house two males and two bred females.  As our herd grew,
we knew that we needed to expand.  Our second barn was erected the spring of 2008.  The boys stayed in the
original barn and the girls were moved to their new digs.

We learned a lot from the first barn in building the new barn.  The second barn’s interior was completely guided by
gate versatility.  We used 10x10 gates to create 5 stalls with a creep feeder at the east end.  Using gates enables us to
segregate animals or have an entirely open space.  We were also able to include a birthing/quarantine stall with the same
10x10 gates next to our office space.  This stall has its own door for exterior access.  We lined the stalls with 4x6 hose
mats with an opening in each for defecating.

For the summer we incorporated a watering area with the barn for those hot, humid Ohio days.  The alpacas can come
in one door into the “spa” area, get watered down and leave through the opposite gate where they can cool down and
dry without getting muddy.  For the winter we change that area into the bed-down spot.  We fill it with older hay and
line the walls with bales for added warmth.  Versatility is the key component for your barn.

With the addition of the office, we have the ability to house much of the small necessities of alpaca care.  It was also
important to have any visitors be comfortable as well.  We added a bathroom with hot running water.  There is also a
large stainless steel sink on the other side of the office wall for cleaning feed and water buckets.