Yurt as alpaca shelter

[McGinley]

Hello all,

I live on 11 acres in Ohio and have recently purchased two elderly alpacas. Presently, the animals are splitting their time between a 12 by 12 barn stall and a pasture. My problem is the walk between the pasture and the barn is a long one and requires wrangling the alpacas every night. I was in the middle of planning a small pasture shelter (where they would go of their own accord when feeding time rolls around) when a friend suggested building a yurt instead. The idea intrigues, but begs a number of questions:

1. Is anyone out there aware of yurts being used for keeping animals sheltered? Any stories to tell?
2. What would be the drawbacks of using a yurt this way? (I welcome speculation, not just straight up stories from experience). Alpacas don't challenge fencing like horses do, so the issue of the animals bumping against walls is moot. As for size, I'm thinking at least an 18' diameter, which would give them more room than they have now, and also leave space for a sectioned-off tack area. Natural lighting is sufficient and a water source is close-by.
3. I'd like the floor to be a combination of packed sand and gravel. Is this possible, or does yurt architecture require floor joists for structural integrity?
4. Is it possible to build a yurt without sinking posts very deeply into the ground? Is it possible to build without establishing other in-ground footings?

Any and all ideas, suggestions, and observations are welcome! Thanks in advance.