The alpaca is a domesticated member of the camelid family, a cousin of the llama, but one-half to one-third the size. Alpacas have large, expressive eyes, a short triangular muzzle, a sheep-dog mop of fiber over the brow, and abundant fine fiber. Alpacas come in a broad spectrum of colors, more than any other livestock. They grow to weigh an average of 100 to 150 pounds and can live 20 years or more. The world population of alpacas is estimated to be 3 million. There are approximately 100,000 alpacas in the United States

Alpacas provide an excellent investment opportunity, and are the source of luxurious fiber. Alpaca fiber comes in a variety of colors: from pure white through fawn, to a range of browns, and a true jet black. The worldwide fiber market recognizes 22 natural colors of alpaca. They make excellent companion animals and are also show animals. They have lovable dispositions. Alpacas are easily trained to lead and are gentle enough to be handled by children

Yes, compared to other livestock, alpacas are considered by most people to be very easy to care for. They are relatively small and easy to handle and maintain. They stand about 36 inches tall that the withers (the point where the neck and spine come together), weigh between 100-200 pounds. Their natural tendency to move in groups makes them easy to move from place to place as needed. A group of alpacas establish communal dung piles that are easy to manage in one or two spots in the pasture which controls the spread of parasites, and makes it easy to collect and compost for fertilizer (a rich asset for the gardener).

Alpacas are hardy and typically have few health care requirements. Alpacas need basic shelter and protection from heat and foul weather, and being livestock, they do require periodic worming and annual vaccinations. Worming and vaccination programs should be developed in consultation with a veterinarian to address the health concerns within the specific geographical area. Newborn crias may also be given supplemental vitamin and mineral shots to get them off to a good start.

Additionally, their toenails need to be trimmed every couple of months. Speaking of toenails, these animals do not have hooves-they have two toes, with hard toenails on the top of their feet and a soft pad on the bottom of their feet, much like a dog’s foot. Therefore, you don’t experience compaction of the soil to same degree that you would with other types of livestock. The padded feet of the alpaca have two nails which can be trimmed with a common pruning shear. Dental care is minimal; however trimming of the front incisors may be necessary for some animals.

The fleece should be sheared off once a year. Grooming is discouraged because shampooing and brushing tends to destroy the character of the alpaca’s wonderful fiber. It is generally recommended that fleeces should be picked clean and gently blown out with a grooming vacuum to remove dust prior to the annual shearing. This annual cleaning process is greatly facilitated by keeping alpacas in clean pastures and facilities throughout the year

This varies widely, depending on such things as weather and predators. But as a general rule, the alpacas do need at least a three-sided, open shelter where they can escape inclement weather. And if predators are present in your neighborhood, then a minimum of five-foot-high, 2″ by 4″ no-climb fencing is necessary to keep out the predators. Traditional horse fencing (with 4″ by 4″ openings) is not recommended, as curious alpacas might be physically harmed if they put their heads through that type of fencing

Alpacas are ideal small acreage livestock. Six to eight alpacas can be kept on an acre of grassy pasture. Since cleaner pastures will mean cleaner and therefore more valuable fleeces, alpacas should be kept on well drained pasture which is free of debris and nuisance plants. Pastures should also be checked for the presence of plants which will be poisonous if eaten. Local agricultural agents can usually be of assistance in the identification of such plants. Alpacas will also appreciate a dusty/sandy spot for rolling somewhere in their pasture or living area

They should have basic shelter available all year. In moderate climates, a three sided shed is adequate. When temperatures and humidity go up in summer, some type of shade is essential. Our alpacas appreciate having access to a shelter with electric fans to cool them and to control pesky insects.

Huacaya alpacas seem to be very cold hardy when covered with their growing fleece, although enclosed shelters may be necessary in extreme cold and damp conditions. Suri alpacas may have additional needs for shelter in cold weather because of the way their fleece hangs from their backs, exposing their top lines. Even crias, or baby alpacas, seem to do well in cold temperatures after they are a few days old, although a “cria coat” may be prudent on especially damp or windy days.

Since alpacas do not challenge fences, fencing is more important to protect them from possible predators (i.e. coyotes, wolves, and domestic dogs). Modular fence panels are an ideal solution for containing and separating alpacas within perimeter fencing.

The gestation period for alpacas is 11 to 11 1/2 months. Alpaca babies are called crias. Crias weigh from 12 to 23 pounds at birth and are usually up and nursing within an hour.

Absolutely not! They are safe and pleasant to be around. They are very curious about people and seem most intrigued and drawn to children. In fact for families who enjoy the alpaca lifestyle, children often share in farm responsibilities including feeding, halter training, and showing in the show ring. Alpacas are becoming an ideal and popular animal for 4H projects. They do not bite or butt; and they do not have the teeth, horns, hooves or claws to do serious injury.

Alpacas communicate through body posture, tail and ear movements, and a variety of sounds. The sound heard most often is a soft humming, a mild expression befitting a gentle animal. Dams make a soft clucking sound to reassure and communicate with their cria. When an intruder (be it a house cat, deer or predator) is sighted nearby, a high pitched call is sounded to warn the herd. During breeding, males make a melodious, rhythmic sound called orgling.

Alpaca fleece is valuable because it combines so many positive, commercial attributes into one fiber. There are no negative characteristics to be found in the alpaca’s fleece.

Alpacas provide an excellent investment opportunity, and are the source of luxurious fiber. Alpaca fiber comes in a variety of colors: from pure white through fawn, to a range of browns, and a true jet black. The worldwide fiber market recognizes 22 natural colors of alpaca. They make excellent companion animals and are also show animals. They have lovable dispositions. Alpacas are easily trained to lead and are gentle enough to be handled by children.

Yes, they are amazingly alert animals who quickly learn to halter and lead. They constantly communicate with each other through body posture, tail and ear movements, and a variety of sounds. The sound heard most often is a soft humming, a mild expression befitting a gentle animal.

Because the animals require so little pasture and food, makes them an ideal small acreage livestock, you can comfortably stock between five and ten alpacas per acre depending on terrain, rain/snowfall amounts, availability of pasture, etc. This makes the alpaca ideal for people who have only a few acres and who want the pleasure of a small herd and a healthy investment return. They can also be raised on dry lot and be fed grass hay, if desired. Consult with your local County Extension Officer for specific local recommendations.

Alpacas are pretty much stress resistant, load and travel calmly and can be transported in the family mini van, station wagon, utility vehicle or horse trailer. If traveling for short distances, they can be transported inside vans or other larger vehicles. Most folks put down a piece of old carpeting or inexpensive astro-turf to minimize the impact on the vehicle’s carpeting in case an “accident” was to occur. Some breeders have been known to transport their alpacas in small planes. Most of the time, however, the animals will “cush” (that is, sit down) for the journey. Longer distances generally require transport in a livestock trailer.

Yes, they can be completely insured against loss.

Alpacas are very rare in the United States. Breeders have been lucky enough to import quality instead of mass quantity, and are now concentrating on perfecting and expanding their superior stock. The animals available are some of the best worldwide, and they have incredible promise for immediate and future returns. Immediately, there are profits to be made by breeding and selling the offspring, and there is personal satisfaction to be gained by maintaining and showing a beautiful herd. In the future, when we have increased our herds’ sizes, and optimized the production of their valuable fiber, we will also profit largely in the textile industry. An alpaca’s fiber is quite possible the word’s finest, incorporating all the best qualities of all natural fibers.

Supply will continue to be restricted in the near future for a number of reasons:

• Alpacas reproduce slowly.
• Many breeders retain their offspring, building their herds.
• Import of the animal from South America is very restricted, as well as, difficult, risky and expensive. The importer risks losing his entire investment if the animals develop health problems in the quarantine or experience any number of other potential problems.
• Mass production of “cria,” or babies, via embryo transplant is not feasible, since there is no available supply of suitable host females.
• The limited size of the national herds in each country outside of South America will restrain growth for some time to come.
• Some South American countries have developed export limitations to protect their national herds.
• The U.S. Registry has imposed stringent screening criteria for all imported alpacas to the United States

An alpaca rancher with a small herd on a small acreage can expect to harvest his animals’ fleece and sell their offspring profitably. The value of alpaca fleece is the economic underpinning of the future market for alpacas. Breeders outside of South America are beginning to organize wool co-ops for the commercial processing of the fleece. Domestic fiber is often sold to cottage industries that revolve around hand-spinning and weaving. Most alpaca ranchers readily sell their fleece for $2 to $5 an ounce to local artisans. Each animal will produce five to eight pounds of fleece a year. A North American fiber co-op, endorsed by AOBA, is in its formative stages and very soon will provide a commercial outlet for all breeders.

Alpaca breeders come from many walks of life. For some, alpacas are a source of income, for others a source of pleasure. Young couples with children might own three or four alpacas and enjoy caring for them. Retired couples, who have raised their kids, sold their business, and retired to the country, are often owners. The family whose members include a hand-spinner might own two or three animals for fiber production. Several large breeders are veterinarians who found the ownership of alpacas to be more rewarding than practicing veterinary medicine.

Many herds are owned by families, where one spouse has a city job, and the alpaca business is managed by the other on their small acreage in the country. A large number of breeders are working couples who tend their herd in the evening after work. All of these alpaca breeders, big and small, enjoy their animals and feel good about owning an investment they can hug.

Some owners don’t actually raise their animals on a day-to-day basis. They live in the city, and are building their herd toward the day they might change careers or retire to the country life. For all owners, alpacas offer a great way to diversify their financial portfolio with a commodity that is both rare and in demand worldwide.

There are big ranches with over 100 alpacas, and small farms of only two or three alpacas. The average alpaca herd is made up of about eight to ten alpacas. Most herds start out small and evolve to a size which fits the breeder’s farm and financial goals