General Information about Alpacas

Alpacas originate from South America, - Chile, Bolivia and Peru.

They belong to the camelid family, which includes vicuna, guanaco, camels and llamas.

They are farmed for their fleece, which has been known throughout the ages as "fibre of the gods". The fleece is very soft, light and extremely warm. Alpacas are shorn once a year, usually just before summer, to ensure they do not overheat. A fleece of between 2 and 7 kgs can be expected from a single alpaca.

Alpaca terminology - 

Male alpaca	Macho
Female alpaca	Hembra
Baby alpaca	Cria
Rising yearling	Tui

                                                             

A hembra has a gestation period of eleven and a half months, and usually gives birth to a single cria. She may have twins, but this is quite unusual. The cria usually weigh between 6 - 9 kg at birth and grow very, very quickly. The cria are usually weaned around 6 months of age.

The life expectancy of an alpaca is around 18 to 20 years.

Alpacas do not challenge fences, so they may be kept in paddocks with hurricane netting or ordinary 7 wire fencing. We do not recommend electric fencing, because they can get their long fleece caught around it and get electrocuted, because they are not able to free themselves.

Fresh water should be available at all times and some type of shelter is essential, - a shed or trees to provide shade, and shelter them from the hot summer sun and also for them to shelter from cold, wet weather.

Alpacas eat grass, and meadow hay if grass is in short supply. They may have alpaca nuts for a treat. Depending on the type of grass and nutrition available, the usual stocking rate would be 10 -15 alpacas per hectare.

Alpacas are herd animals, so they need at least one other alpaca for company, otherwise they fret, and will not settle.

Alpacas are intelligent, loving, and very easy to manage - the ideal companion animal. 

 

 

 

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