Alpacas
are fiber-producing members of the camelid family. Their fleeces
are soft, luxurious and stronger than sheep’s wool. Unlike
wool, alpaca fiber contains no lanolin and is ready to spin right
off the animal. The fiber is much finer and warmer than wool (very
low “prickle factor”) and is highly sought after by
both cottage-industry artists (hand spinners, knitters, weavers,
etc.) as well as the commercial fashion industry.
There are two breeds of alpaca: the suri and the huacaya. The main
difference between the two is their fleece style. The more common
huacaya fleece has waviness or “crimp”, which gives
them a puffy, teddy bear appearance. The very rare suri fiber hangs
down from the body in beautiful lustrous locks. Only about 7% of
the world’s alpaca population is suri.
The alpaca is approximately 36” at the withers (where the
neck and back meet) and about 4.5 to 5 feet to the top of their
heads. Female alpacas weigh about 100-160 pounds while the males
tend to be 140-180 pounds. They have soft leathery pads on the bottom
of their feet and two hard toenails that must be trimmed several
times per year. Their soft padded feet do not cause damage to pastures
or terrain, especially compared to other forms of livestock.
Alpacas are pastoral grazers who nibble grasses and other plants
down to about the 1/4-inch level. They are so environmentally friendly,
you can raise about 5-10 alpacas per acre, depending on terrain,
pasture quality, rainfall etc. Many farms in various parts of the
country successfully raise them on dry lot.
Alpacas are safe and pleasant to be around. They do not bite or
butt and do not have teeth, horns or hooves to do serious injury.
Occasionally, an alpaca will kick with its hind legs, but the soft
padded feet usually do little damage to people. Alpacas do spit
as a means of communication. This activity occurs most often around
the feeding mangers. It is rare for an alpaca to spit on people,
except of course if you are caught in the crossfire!
Alpacas do not consume large amounts of food. One to one-and-a-half
60-pound bales of hay (per day) can generally feed about 20 alpacas
in the winter. They are ruminants, with a single stomach divided
into three compartments, so they produce rumen and chew cud and
process this small volume of food quite efficiently. Alpacas also
require some type of supplemental grain and access to free-choice
salts and trace minerals.
What goes in must come out! Unlike other livestock, alpacas defecate
and urinate in communal piles. They will choose three to four spots
in a field to use as their dung piles. Not only do they choose to
eliminate in the same place, they usually decide to use the dung
piles about the same time. It is a common sight to see several alpacas
lined up waiting to use the pile! This does make for easier clean
up in the pasture or barn. The ‘paca “bean” piles
are practically odorless and can be composted and used as fertilizer
for gardens.
Alpaca management is not complicated or difficult. They require
basic shelter to protect them from heat and foul weather. For many
parts of the country, a three-sided run in shed is suitable shelter.
Alpacas also need adequate fencing to keep them safe from predators.
Vaccinations against parasites and infectious diseases, deworming,
toenail trimming and yearly shearing are all essential components
of good herd management. A solid understanding of the nutrition
requirements for alpacas in your region is crucial as is keeping
the ‘paca “beans” cleaned up for proper hygiene
in the herd.
The lifespan of an alpaca in South America is generally considered
to be about 15-20 years. We are not sure how long they will live
under the conditions found in this country. Female alpacas are considered
sexually mature to breed when they are about 18-24 months old. Female
alpacas are induced ovulators. They do not have heat cycles and
can be bred anytime of the year. It is important to keep adult males
and females separate.
The gestation period for a pregnant alpaca is about 11.5 months.
Females have single births and usually deliver their “cria”
(newborn) during the daylight hours. A cria usually weighs between
15-20 pounds at birth. The newborn cria is usually standing and
nursing within 90 minutes of birth and will continue to nurse for
about 5-6 months until weaned. The new mom is usually rebred about
3 weeks after the birth.
Alpacas are “the world’s finest livestock investment”
and are fully insurable. To discover more about alpacas and the
alpaca business, visit several farms and talk with the breeders.
They will be more than happy to discuss the alpacas, the lifestyle
and the business with you. Another important step to take in your
alpaca quest is to join AOBA (Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association)
and receive a subscription to Alpacas Magazine, the newsletter called
One Voice, a membership directory and access to the AOBA library. |
