When Julie Judge and her family moved from New Albany to Utica approximately 10 years ago, she started researching animals that would do well on the five acres they owned.
She looked at goats and sheep and other animals before finally deciding on alpacas.
“I kept going back to the alpacas because of their personality,” she told the Mount Vernon News. “They’re just really interesting.”
She started with three, which is recommended since alpacas are herd animals
“It was supposed to be only a hobby and we thought we would have maybe 10,” Judge said. “We now have a herd of 79.”
Her love of alpacas turned into a business, Road Runner Rascals Alpaca Ranch in Utica. You can buy alpacas there, have your alpacas bred, go on a tour of the farm or shop in the store.
The alpacas are shorn every year and the fleece is made into yarn for rugs that are sold in the store.
“It’s a very desirable yarn,” Judge said. “It’s more expensive that your typical yarn, but people who have worked with it love it and keep coming back for it.”
For those who are interested in buying an alpaca, Judge advises defining your goals upfront.
“Do you just want 10 alpacas on the farm and you don’t want to breed?” she asked. “That’s when we would recommend males who are not herd-sire quality. They can be purchased anywhere from $1,000 to $3,500.”
Only a small percentage of alpaca males are considered good candidates for breeding; they are called “working males.”
Non-working males are not only less expensive to buy, they also produce good fleece, Judge said.
For those who do want to breed their alpacas, Road Runner Rascals offers breeding services. Artificial insemination does not work well with alpacas, so breeding has to done at the farm.
“It’s all up to the female if it happens or not,” Judge said. “If the female is not ready, they will spit at the male — won’t let the male near them.”
Sometimes a two-month stay at the farm is necessary for a successful breeding.
Alternatively, you can buy a set of three females that has already been bred, and before long you will have a herd of six alpacas for your farm.
Road Runner Rascals Alpaca Ranch
1404 Johnstown Utica Road NE
Utica, Ohio 43080
614-562-0989
Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 PM
