The alpacas temperament

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. | 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.
Further shearing information from www.totaragrove.com. | 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