|
General
Information
Size:
100-175 pounds and approximately 3 feet tall
Alpacas
are members of the camelid family, which also includes
llamas, vicunas, and guanacos
Color: 22
officially recognized colors and blends of alpacas; can be
solid-colored or multi-colored
Temperament:
Gentle,
curious, clean, herd-oriented, cautious of strangers, and quiet;
they rarely spit and when they do, it is generally at each other,
not humans
Fiber: It is known for its fineness and often compared
to cashmere.
It is
also valuable because it is hypoallergenic. Their fleece grows about 5-10 inches
per year and may yield UP to 25 pounds of fleece annually (enough
for about 10 soft, warm sweaters).
Alpacas are sorted into 2 groups depending on their fiber
type:
Huacaya-
dense, crimpy fleece that stands straight up to give them a
fluffy appearance; this is the most common type of alpaca,
comprising 90% of the population
Suri- silky fleece that hangs down in tight spirals;
suris are rare and make up the remaining 10% of the alpaca
population
Origin:
Andean mountains of Peru, Bolivia, and Chile; they were imported
to the
United
States in 1984 but since 1998 all importing has been banned.
TOP
Alpacas are ruminants with 3
stomachs so they are able to convert grass and hay to energy very
efficiently.
Alpacas prefer to eat fresh grass
but they are supplemented with hay and food pellets to provide
them with vitamins and minerals. Supplementation occurs most often during pregnancy,
lactation, and wintertime.
They eat much less than other farm
animals and actually cost less to feed per month than a large dog!
Alpacas rarely overeat.
Their camelid ancestry allows them
to thrive without consuming a lot of water.
TOP
Females generally reproduce from 2-17
years of age, however many people breed females at 18 months if
their weight is adequate. They
are induced ovulators, meaning that they ovulate (release an egg)
upon sexual stimulation, and therefore they can breed at any time
during the year. However, most breedings are restricted to the spring or fall during
optimal temperature conditions for the cria and mother at birth. Adult females are known as
Hembras.
Males take a little longer to
mature than females and can generally reproduce from 3-17 years of
age.
However, some males may
also be ready to breed at 18 months. Adult males are
known as Machos.
Gestation period =
about 350 days
Baby alpacas are called crias and
they typically weigh anywhere from 12-19 pounds at birth.
Twins are extremely rare
--- unfortunately!
TOP
Benefits
Alpacas are extremely fun and
easy to raise, yet they can be very profitable!
Their fiber is in high demand by the textile industry,
crafters, and a spinner’s dream.
Some people own alpacas just for the pleasure of spinning
their lustrous fiber.
They are intelligent and therefore
easily trainable, so they can be taken to shows and make wonderful
pets! Maintenance simply includes annual shearing, vaccinations,
toenail trimming, and worming.
They readily mix with other
species of farm animals.
Alpacas are very gentle animals.
They do not bite or butt and do not have upper teeth,
horns, hooves, or claws to do serious injury.
They are quiet animals, producing
only a soft humming sound unless they are alarmed or scared.
Although it is more enjoyable to
have the acreage to raise alpacas, it is becoming increasingly
popular for people to board and alpaca at a farm as an investment.
They are transported easily and
simply lay down in a trailer or small van for the trip.
Alpacas are extremely clean
animals, confining their waste to only a few spots in the pasture.
This helps to control parasites and makes it easy to
collect and compost their fertilizer.
Alpacas leave pastures undamaged
since their feet are padded and they tend to eat only the top of
the grass, leaving the roots intact.
They are ideal for anyone (even small acreage owners)
because they control pasture/lawn growth without the damage,
smell, and noise of other species.
There are numerous tax incentives involved with raising
alpacas. Visit the
Farmer’s Tax Guide at www.irs.gov
for more information.
TOP
Alpacas: You must start with at least two alpacas since they are
herd-oriented animals
Land: Alpacas do not need much room.
1 acre can support 5-6 alpacas.
Facilities:
Minimally, alpacas require an open 3-sided shed for
protection against the extreme heat and foul weather.
Fencing:
Alpacas will not try to knock down fences but fencing should
be protective enough to keep predators from entering.
Nutrient
Balanced Food Supply: There should be good quality pasture
without poisonous plants, good quality hay, and feed supplemented
with vitamins and minerals.
Veterinarian: An experienced vet or one who is eager to
learn is essential to proper herd health.
Alpaca Care Reference Books:
We like Caring for Llamas and Alpacas: A Health and
Management Guide by Clare Hoffman, DVM and Ingrid Asmus and Llama
and Alpaca Neonatal Care by Bradford Smith, DVM, PhD et al.
Halters and Leads
Food and Hay Feeders
Water Supply Containers: Heated water
containers will be needed in the winter months.
Large Ventilation Fan: They need some help on
those hot summer days!
Scale: Many medications given to the alpacas are dependent
on weight, plus, it is a good idea to keep a monthly record of
their weights in order to see any alterations that may indicate a
problem.
Veterinary Supply Kit:
contains items for emergency alpaca care
Record Book or Herd Management
Computer Software
Misc. Supplies:
worming medication, rake & scooper to clean up waste, toenail pruners, fly
control
If you plan to have crias you
would also need to purchase a cria care kit, cria coat, heated pet
pad, frozen colostrum and a cria scale.
TOP
Suggested
Memberships
ARI: Alpaca Registry Inc
AOBA: Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association
Your State's Alpaca Organization
Fleece Co-op
TOP
|
