Cob Hill Alpaca Farm

This Saturday I went to the Cob Hill Alpaca Farm, which is located in Black Lick, Virginia. I had a great time at the alpaca farm, and I learned a lot. A lot about alpacas, that is. The farm is owned by Tom and Kim Wynn (no relation to myself). They started their alpaca farm because they wanted a farm, but wanted one that was easy to take care of. To them, alpacas are easy to take care of! They say that alpacas are like cats: furry and cute.
Alpacas are members of the camel family. They are smaller and furrier, and they do not have a hump. They are often confused with llamas. The only difference between llamas and alpacas is that alpacas are smaller. Alpacas are not from the U.S.; they are from Chile, Peru, and other parts of South America.

The Cob Hill Alpaca farm now owns ten alpacas, and one guard llama. All ten alpacas are female, and the guard llama is male. The alpacas are well taken care of, grazing on grass and hay. Alpacas generally do not get very big, ranging between 125-200 pounds. Every May, the Alpacas get a "hair cut." Tom and Kim Wynn sell their alpacas' fur. They make yarn, teddy bears, gloves, scarves, socks, and hats. And yes, alpacas have the softest fur that I have ever felt.
Alpacas can be bought for as cheap as $500. However, they can also be expensive. Tom and Kim told us that they know of an alpaca that sold for $80,000! 
I had a great time at the Cob Hill Alpaca Farm. I would like to thank Tom and Kim Wynn for inviting my family and I to visit their farm. Anyone who has not been needs to go and visit this unique farm animal!


-Jacob Wynn