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AlpacaNation Q&A with Stone Bridge Farm
Denise & Bill Curran
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116 Crary Rd., Griswold, CT 06351
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860 376-5027
AlpacaNation: Tell us about yourself...
Stone Bridge Farm: We are small farm breeders who have raised alpacas for 4 years. Both Bill and I
work full time at Electric Boat Corp. in Groton, CT designing piping systems on
nuclear submarines. We look forward to the day when we can spend all of our time
with the alpacas upon retirement from Electric Boat.
AlpacaNation: How long have you been in the alpaca business?
Stone Bridge Farm: We have been in the alpaca business for four years.
AlpacaNation: How did you become interested in alpacas?
Stone Bridge Farm: I originally wanted a horse and a companion animal for the horse. I saw an alpaca
at a local fair and found out that it was an alpaca. I then gathered more informa-
tion about alpacas and became hooked on them from thereon in! (I still don't have
that horse yet!)
AlpacaNation: How did you decide on your farm name? Is there a special meaning behind the name?
Stone Bridge Farm: As you can see in one of the photos on the farm information page, there is an old
stone bridge separating two large ponds. The bridge was probably built by farmers
a long time ago as a way of getting their plowing equipment across the water.
AlpacaNation: What sets your farm and herd apart from others in the industry?
Stone Bridge Farm: We like to think that we are set apart from others in that we treat our animals
with the utmost care and attention - like they were part of the family - and they
are! In our minds, the animals' health and well being comes above all else.
AlpacaNation: What is your greatest achievement or favorite memory since you started raising alpacas?
Stone Bridge Farm: Our greatest achievement was pulling our first two pet alpacas through a terrible
bout with red maple leaf toxicity. After four weeks of near death but with great
help from the folks at Tufts Veterinary Hospital, they recovered completely.
Our favorite memory is Gwens winning second place at the Big E Alpaca Show in 2003.
AlpacaNation: What steps did you take to prepare for raising an alpaca herd?
Stone Bridge Farm: The barn was already built previously, however we put up rail fencing with no-climb
wire fencing stapled to it to keep dogs, coyotes, and any other predators out.
AlpacaNation: What advice would you give to those just getting started in the industry?
Stone Bridge Farm: Check out a few alpaca farms before purchasing your first alpacas. This way you
can see what works in terms of barns, fencing, layout, etc. Also, you should plan
on purchasing at least two animals since these are herd animals and one alone will
not do well.
AlpacaNation: How do you see your farm and alpaca business growing over the next 5 to 10 years?
Stone Bridge Farm: I see our foundation herd growing to about 8 or 10 alpacas. We don't want to become
too large - but rather want things to remain manageable so we can continue to give
each animal the attention it deserves.
AlpacaNation: What has been your biggest lesson learned in terms of breeding?
Stone Bridge Farm: The biggest lesson learned has been to look at qualities of the female you have
and then pick a herdsire with qualities that will improve those qualities in the
cria.
AlpacaNation: Describe your first alpaca purchase... would you do anything differently today?
Stone Bridge Farm: Our first alpacas purchased were pet grade alpacas. We bought mainly by gender and color. Today, I would check the fleece for density, crimp, luster. I would also
check teeth, conformation, leg stance and would require a pre-purchase exam.
AlpacaNation: What has been the most helpful advice you have received from your veterinarian?
Stone Bridge Farm: Aggressive medicine has its time but so does sitting back and waiting.
AlpacaNation: What unique challenges do you face as a small, mid-size, or larger breeder?
Stone Bridge Farm: The challenges may not be unique but as a small farm breeder we are constantly
battling the clock every day to get chores done, spending quality time with the
alpacas, and working at our other jobs as well. It can sometimes be a challenge
but it is well worth it!
AlpacaNation: What do you tell prospective buyers who look at the small profit the alpaca fiber produces compared to the daunting prices of alpacas?
Stone Bridge Farm: That the fiber is what this animal is all about - why it is so valuable. And that
eventually, when alpaca fiber is more common in fabrics, the profit will be more
lucrative.
AlpacaNation: Do you have a favorite Alpaca? Why is it your favorite?
Stone Bridge Farm: No, I have no favorites. I love them all.
AlpacaNation: Any embarrassing moments you would like to share?
Stone Bridge Farm: Brushing the coat of my alpaca at my first show. Needless to say, she did not win
anything!
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