Many herds are owned by families, where the husband has a city job, and the alpaca business is managed by the wife on their small acreage in the country. A large number of breeders are working couples who tend their herd in the evening after work. All of these alpaca breeders, big and small, enjoy their animals and feel good about owning an investment they can hug. Some investors don't actually raise the animals on a day to day basis. They live in the city, and are building their herd toward the day they might change careers or retire to the country life.
Some investors invest solely for the exceptional returns alpacas provide.
They have no intent of being actively involved in raising their alpacas. For all investors, alpacas offer a great way to diversify their investment portfolio with a commodity that is both rare and in demand worldwide. There are big ranches with over 100 alpacas, and small farms of only tow or three alpacas. The average alpaca herd is made up of about eight to ten alpacas. Most herds start out small and evolve to the size which fits the breeder's farm and financial goals.