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.
Diet
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.
Reproduction
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!
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.
Materials Needed to Begin Your Own
Alpaca Farm
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
Large Ventilation Fan
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.
ARI: Alpaca Registry Inc
AOBA: Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association
Your
State's Alpaca Organization
Fleece Co-op