Are you thinking of alpacas? Some basic questions and answers

Alpaca farming continues to gain popularity among all types of people. Some are drawn to the lifestyle of owning a small ranch. Others see alpacas as an investment opportunity (although we would say it is a business, not An investment!) Those with a particular fondness for spinning and weaving may be drawn to the idea of ​​growing their own source of beautiful fiber. Whatever the reason, choosing to raise alpacas is not an easy decision. We have put together a series of questions and answers that we hope will be helpful.

Q: What “races” and colors do alpacas come in?

TO: There are two varieties of alpaca: Huacaya Y suri. You can view images of each on our website (see the resource box below). Both varieties have a very soft fleece, although they look very different.

Huacayas are “spongy” or “wavy” and often “bouncy” to the touch. Suri’s fleece has a straight grain, often with greater sheen, which hangs down and tends to form “dreadlocks”. Both types of fibers are popular in the textile industry, and farmed fleeces generally have the highest price. Almost all of the 130,000 alpacas in the United States are Huacaya. Only about 5% are Suri. You will find eight “basic colors” of fleece in alpacas: white, light, beige, brown, gray, black, multicolored and “undefined”. What this really means is that there is a wide variety of colors and also some patterns. Pure white is very popular in the textile industry, as it can be dyed in almost any color.

Q: Do alpacas spit?

TO: Oh yeah. But not as often as you might think, and rarely with people. Spitting is both a defense and a way of communicating. Often times, that communication is about who is claiming the food or who wants to be “in charge” today.

And … just so you know … spitting in this case is NOT saliva. They are genuine stomach juices, often including partially digested hay. It is a wonderful experience.

Q: What kind of space do alpacas require?

TO: Alpacas have 3-chamber stomachs, making them very efficient herbivores, more so than almost any other farm animal. The grazing density of 6 to 7 alpacas per acre is often reasonable, although the density varies greatly depending on the condition of the soil, the climate, and the quality of drilling. Don’t forget that if you plan to keep a breeding stock, you will need several fenced pastures to accommodate different sex groups and allow for pasture rotation. Fencing is required. The good news is that alpacas generally respect fences. The 4 ‘or 5’ No Climb Horse Fence is a cost effective option. If you don’t have room for alpacas, consider tackling them at a ranch. Many alpaca owners start out this way.

Q: Are alpacas noisy? Will my neighbors complain?

TOAlthough we cannot answer the second question (it depends on your neighbors!), The answer to the first is that alpacas are generally very calm. They hum softly, especially when they are a little anxious. If they see something really disturbing, it may sound like a chirp that some describe as a cross between a squeaky toy and a hawk’s cry.

Most of the time, such a call means that they have seen a domestic cat in the grass …

Q: We do not plan to raise alpacas. Are they good herding pets?

TO: Definitely! Many people feel that the best alpacas for herding pets are neutered males, often called “fiber boys.” Alpacas are a herd animal, so you will need at least 2, preferably 3. Alpacas are not like dogs. They are alert, curious, calm and it is very possible that they will come sniffing when you work in the garden. However, they most likely spend their time with the pack, not their humans.

Q: What do you do with the alpaca fleece?

TO: Alpacas produce fiber that is, without exception, the finest in the world for spinning and weaving. Do you knit? Then you probably already know the exceptional qualities of alpaca yarn. Many small mills take fleece, wash it, cardan, and spin it, with various weaving options. Knitting with yarn from animals you own is very rewarding! Do you tour? You can ask the mill to give you clean fleece or wicks. If fiber arts are not your thing, you can sell your fleece to mills, spinners, or even fiber cooperatives.

Q: How Big Are Alpacas, Anyway?

TO: Alpacas are camelids, but small. Babies, called calves, generally weigh between 12 and 22 pounds at birth. Adults generally weigh between 120 and 210 pounds. A good-sized adult stands about 36 “on the shoulder and can probably look you in the eye if you’re under 5’3”. This means that they are much smaller and can feel less intimidating to some people than their larger cousins ​​the llamas (who are also very nice, don’t get me wrong!). When you know how to handle them, alpacas are generally easy to work with, although they can weigh more than you.

Q: How long do alpacas live? How much of that time do they actively reproduce?

TO: Alpacas generally live 17 to 22 years and are usually very healthy for most of that time. We currently have a 14 year old girl on our ranch who is expecting a calf this summer, and she often leads the herd in running the perimeter of the pasture! Females can be ready to start breeding at 18 months of age. Males mature a bit more slowly and are generally ready to start breeding around 30 months.

Q: How long are females pregnant and how long does it take from giving birth to reproducing again?

TO: Gestation periods in alpacas range from a low of around 325 to a high of around 360 days, averaging around 345 days. Single births are the rule. Alpacas normally reproduce again about 3 weeks after calving.

Q: What are alpaca babies like?

TO: So cute. Incredibly cute. In the end, incredibly cute. They are usually on their feet within 30 minutes of birth and actively breastfeed within an hour. Although a little shaky in their legs for the first day, they get up and pack very quickly. Weight gain for the first two weeks can be about a pound per day. Aside from some basic postnatal precautions and some vitamin and vaccine injections, young generally need little special care. However, Crias breastfeeds for 6 months, so Mom will need extra calories and protein to breastfeed.

Q: What care do alpacas require?

TO: A small herd of alpacas is quite easy to care for. Fresh water, good hay, a small daily grain supplement, and a little mineral salt should suffice for food. As natural foragers, alpacas will eat just about anything their pasture provides, including (thankfully) blackberry vines. However, some plants are poisonous to camelids. The shelf on our website has a reference to a good book on this topic, and you can find more information online. For shelter, depending on their climate, alpacas need a simple 3-sided covered shelter or barn. Alpacas are generally cut once a year, often in early May here in the Pacific Northwest. For some before and after photos, take a look at the news section of our website. Shearing is a job for a professional, but it is relatively easy to work with an established local ranch to participate in their shearing party. In hot climates, especially southern climates, heat stress can become a concern. Special cooling arrangements may be required.

Like other animals, alpacas are susceptible to a variety of parasites, internal and external. Your vet likely has a management plan that you can adopt. Alpaca helmets need regular trimming (every 3 to 6 months, your mileage may vary), but if your alpacas have been trained to know the “foot” command, trimming should not be a problem.

Q: How do I take the next step?

TO: First, find out your goals. Breeding? Fiber cultivation? Grass farts? Second, determine your timeline: how soon and in what order do you want to achieve these goals? Third, decide your budget and decide if you will have your own pastures or if you will herd (board) your animals on a ranch. Fourth, take your time to find the animals that will help you achieve your goals. Don’t be in a hurry. Take your time. Talk to people from various breeding farms.

Do you want to know more? You can start by visiting our website. There you will find several resources to help you determine the right direction for you. We also invite you to contact us through the site, and if you are not far away, come visit our ranch! If we don’t have what you are looking for or if we are too far away to be practical, we may be able to suggest ranches in your area.

Good luck!

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