As you may know I have been debating what to do about building some three sided shelters so that the alpacas can have some protection from the worst of the winter and summer weather.

I was on the brink of buying what are called animal hutches which are constructed from a metal frame and synthetic sheeting. They looked fairly good value but coming from the east coast meant that the shipping was enormous. Which is kind of what made me hesitate.

This morning I was sat in the vets reception room with one of our cats (don't ask!) and started to read a horse owners magazine and saw an advert by a company called Noble Panels.

A quick search on the Internet followed by a phone call had me talking to my local agent about 45 minutes away and agreeing a price for two loafing sheds and all the other relevant materials.



The sheds are supplied as a frame with no sides or roof. However the local agent priced up the supply of the wooden sides and metal roof plus concrete pads for the base and agreed to deliver the whole lot next week. All of which was very impressive and I bought two over the phone.

Now selling sheds isn't exactly like selling alpacas but I learnt a timely reminder from Vern about the power of going that extra mile to make the whole deal bigger, better and easier. Maybe for alpaca breeders that means building in more services around the sale of the animal.

Anyway food for thought while I build the loafing sheds.

Adrian Stewart