Alpacas - Frequently asked questions
1. The Alpaca2. Different types of alpacas
3. The Alpaca Family
4. How big are Alpacas
5. The alpacas temperment
6. The alpacas lifespan
7. Feeding requirements
8. Grazing requirements for alpacas
9. Alpaca hygiene
10. Farming requirements barns/shelter
11. Fencing requirements
12. Alpaca breeding
13. Veterinary care of alpacas
14. Shearing Aplacas
15. Alpaca fibre characteristics
16. Fibre selling.
1. The Alpaca.
Alpacas are members of the Camelid family, along with camels,
llamas, guanacos, and vicuñas. | To Top
2. The different types of alpacas.
There are two types. The Suri has long fibers that form long
strands. The Huacaya has a more fluffy fiber with a lot of
fine crimp. ABQ Alpacas have both Suris and Huacayas for sale in Chile.| To Top
3. The Alpaca Family.
The dam is a Hembra.
The sire is a Macho.
The young are Cria. | To Top
4. How big are Alpacas.
Baby alpacas weigh 5-9 Kgs at birth. In adulthood, they weigh between 45 -70 Kgs. Adults are about as tall as your hip, or 80-90 cms tall at their shoulder.| To Top
5. The alpacas temperament.
As a general rule alpacas are very placid and social animals each has a distinct personality. They are gentle and non-aggressive and will halter train quite easily and can make wonderful pets.They do spit occasionally, usually when their food or young are threatened. "It's not true they spit like camels, the females spit at the males once they're pregnant, that's how we know," Geoff Scott said.| To Top
6. The alpacas lifespan.
Alpacas live for around 20-25 years. During its life time a female
alpaca can produce 15 or more offspring. | To Top
7. Feeding requirements.
Alpacas are browsers rather than grazers. they thrive on a low
protein high fibre diet.
A maximum of 14% protein in the diet is recommended. They also like meadow hay and silage.| To Top
8. Grazing requirements for alpacas.
Alpacas can be managed at a stocking rate of 4-6 per acre or 10 to 15 per hectare, depending on the amount of grazing available. Their feed requirements are rated at 1 alpaca per 1.2 sheep. N.Z. Ministry of Agriculture figures. | To Top
9. Alpaca hygiene.
Alpacas are very tidy animals. They normally defecate in the one
place sometimes walking a distance to do this. The waste can be
collected and placed in a compost pile where it makes excellent
garden fertilizer or alternatively spread onto the pastures as a
natural fertiliser. | To Top
10. Farming requirements barns/shelter.
Although the alpacas are accustomed to the cold of the Andes,
depending on your location barns or very good natural shelter may be needed as protection from the severe winter storms. This is very important for Crias during the week after birth. Alpacas are accustomed to the cold weather of the Andes Mountains. Many breeders there have shelter for the new born crias, especially during the first few days of their life. Their fibre provides excellent insulation and protection from the cold. Some shade protection is also important during the heat of the mid summer months. | To Top
11. Fencing requirements.
Fences are erected not as much to keep alpacas in (they will rarely challenge a fence), but more to keep predators out. Straying dogs are the main concern. A 5 or 6 foot boundary fence of deer fence is most suitable. Normal sheep type fences are suitable for internal
fencing. | To Top
12. Breeding.
Female alpacas are mature enough to breed around 12 to 16 months old.
But in many coutries they are not mated until approaching 2 years of age. They have no season, or menstrual cycle, as many other animals do.
Rather, they are induced ovulators, meaning the eggs of the female are released in response to mating. Gestation is around 340 days.
Remating is best 14 to 18 days after giving birth. Crias are normally weaned at 6 to 7 months of age. During their life time females can produce 15 or more Cria. The males are usually sexually mature at 2 to 2 1/2 years of age sometimes as young as 1 1/2 years. | To Top
13. Veterinary care.
Most of the health care that alpacas require can be done
by the owners if they have had previous livestock experience.
They need an immunization injection once a year, a normal sheep vaccine of the 5 or 7 in one type provides sufficient immunity from clostridial infections. The crias shoud be vaccinated at 6 weeks of age when the immunity given from the mother is no longer effective.
Deworming normally twice a year maybe more depending on the
environment they are running under. Toe nail and teeth trimming is normally done once a year at shearing. Vaccinating and worming are also done at this time. | To Top
14. Shearing Aplacas.
Shearing should be done once a year in the spring or early summer This also allows them to remain cool during the hot summer months and regrow sufficient fleece for protcection against the winter cold.
The fleece from shearing one year's growth will normally weigh about 5 to 6 pounds per alpaca, some may produce up to 7 pounds. This is enough to make 6 or 7 sweaters. | To Top
15. Alpaca fibre characteristics.
Alpaca fibre is an incredible fibre. It is soft like cashmere and strong like mohair. Alpaca fleece is very warm and is an exceptional insulator, because the fiber is hollow, products have a very soft feel and are comfortable to wear. | To Top
16. Fibre selling.
There are 2 main outlets for alpaca fiber. Weavers and hand
spinners love to work with alpaca fiber. The price is influenced by
the color and the quality of the fleece with the average price being
US$3 to US$5 per ounce in the USA, less in other countries.
The second and most important outlet is the commercial clothing
manufacturing industry market. Alpaca owners and breeders around the world are actively promoting alpaca fibre and are involved with
fibre co-operatives assisting breeders to sell their products into
these commercial markets. Today in Europe and the USA there are many examples of alpaca garments selling in the exclusive boutiques and clothing shops. Alpaca fibre is also used in many instances to blend with sheeps wool. Some of the poorer quality fibre from the legs of the alpaca is used for making socks where it is blended with lycra. This poorer quality fibre is also used for duvet fillings. | To Top
