Meet the Black Barn Alpacas at a Fall Festival in Finksburg, Maryland

A Maryland alpaca ranch is holding a fall festival, where attendees can meet and feed alpacas along with other fall activities. News4’s Tommy McFly met some of the furry friends that will be there.

Black Barn Alpacas Ranch

 

 The animal-loving couple Travis and Yussy McManus owns Maryland’s Black Barn Alpacas Ranch. Travis was raised on a cattle ranch, and Yussy grew up riding horses—cementing their love of farm life from a young age. The couple lives on the ranch and looks forward to greeting the alpaca herd every morning with nose boops (and an extra handful or two of food). 

Travis manages the farm team, and Yussy leads the Y Interiors design team, dreaming up home goods made with genuine alpaca fleece. Together, they intend to expand Black Barn Alpacas, delivering well-bred animals, quality fleece products, and unforgettable experiences. Take it from the experts; there is nothing more rewarding than being able to snuggle up to an alpaca every day!

Black Barn Alpacas

2401 Bollinger Mill Rd.

Finksburg, MD 21048

What’s the Difference Between Llamas and Alpacas?

Llamas and alpacas have been used by humans for transportation and fleece production for a few thousand years. Both species are primarily found in Peru and Bolivia and are part of the camel family, Camelidae. Alpacas and llamas are two of the four lamoid species—the other two species, vicuña and guanaco, are their wild cousins. Interestingly, all four species are able to interbreed and create fertile offspring. While often conflated, alpacas and llamas differ in key ways. The most-distinguishing physical differences between alpacas and llamas are their size, their hair, and their face shapes. Also, they differ in disposition, which affects the way humans have used them over the years.

To read more on this story, click here: What’s the Difference Between Llamas and Alpacas?

 

7 Reasons Alpacas Make Great Pets

Most people know that alpacas can be used as pack animals and that their fleece is valued for its silkiness. Pet lovers often ask if alpacas can make friendly pets. The truth is, these llama cousins are friendly and easy to handle. Besides being inquiring, they are also intelligent and sensitive. Additionally, they are calming to be around and show a quick response to gentle handling. Here are 7 reasons alpacas make great pets.

1. Alpacas Have Super-Soft Hypoallergenic Fleece.
If you have never touched alpaca fleece, you will be delighted at how soft it feels. Besides being fluffy and soft, alpaca fiber is naturally free from lanolin and other allergy-causing agents. Whether you want to hug an alpaca or make a blanket from its fleece, you are not likely to suffer the same redness and itchiness caused by other types of fiber. Additionally, alpaca fiber has been granted a class 1 rating by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission because of its flame resistant nature. This fleece is also water resistant, making it a warmer alternative to cotton, and a lightweight option to sheep’s wool.

2. Given Time, Alpacas Are Typically Receptive to Human Touch.
Every relationship is founded on trust. Once this amazing animal becomes acquainted with you, it will be much more receptive to your contact and touch. In fact, alpacas tend to be more similar to cats in behavior than to dogs. After establishing trust from familiarity, most alpacas will allow you to stroke their backs and necks, and even hug them! What’s more, alpacas are very friendly and even more receptive to children than adults, perhaps because children are small, and therefore less intimidating to be around with than adults.

To read more on this story, click here: 7 Reasons Alpacas Make Great Pets