About Alpacas...
Alpacas are rare, gentle and charming animals that are adaptable to varied habitat. They are camelid cousins to camels, llamas, guanacos and vicuñas. They are smaller than llamas and guanacos, but larger than vicuñas. They are native to the high Andes Mountain countries of Peru, Chile and Bolivia. Alpacas are successfully being raised from Australia to Alaska to the U.K., and from sea level up to 16,000 feet above sea level. In the U.S., there are about 50,000 alpacas, as compared to about six million horses. Alpacas are clean, safe, quiet, intelligent and disease-resistant. They have a charismatic manner, do very well on small acreage and produce a luxurious fiber that is in high demand. Measured at the head, an alpaca is about 1.5 meters tall and weighs between 50 and 80 kilograms at maturity. Measured at the withers, it is about one meter high. Its relatively small size makes it very appealing and easy to raise.
Types of Alpacas...
There are two different kinds of alpacas, suris and huacayas. Each type has unique qualities, and appeals to different people.
The suri (pronounced “sir ee”) is distinguished from the huacaya alpaca by its unique fiber characteristics. The fiber grows parallel to the body while hanging in long, separate, non-crimped locks. The huacaya (pronounced “wa ki ya”) alpaca is characterized by a fiber that is dense, crimped and wooly in appearance. The abundant coverage gives the huacaya a soft and huggable look and explains the overwhelming popularity that the huacaya enjoys worldwide. Like the suri, the huacaya is a hardy and healthy animal that produces a fine and highly prized fiber. The new and burgeoning alpaca fiber movement will be literally built on the backs of these plush and puffy little “teddy bears”.
Alpacas are rare, gentle and charming animals that are adaptable to varied habitat. They are camelid cousins to camels, llamas, guanacos and vicuñas. They are smaller than llamas and guanacos, but larger than vicuñas. They are native to the high Andes Mountain countries of Peru, Chile and Bolivia. Alpacas are successfully being raised from Australia to Alaska to the U.K., and from sea level up to 16,000 feet above sea level. In the U.S., there are about 50,000 alpacas, as compared to about six million horses. Alpacas are clean, safe, quiet, intelligent and disease-resistant. They have a charismatic manner, do very well on small acreage and produce a luxurious fiber that is in high demand. Measured at the head, an alpaca is about 1.5 meters tall and weighs between 50 and 80 kilograms at maturity. Measured at the withers, it is about one meter high. Its relatively small size makes it very appealing and easy to raise.
Types of Alpacas...
There are two different kinds of alpacas, suris and huacayas. Each type has unique qualities, and appeals to different people.
The suri (pronounced “sir ee”) is distinguished from the huacaya alpaca by its unique fiber characteristics. The fiber grows parallel to the body while hanging in long, separate, non-crimped locks. The huacaya (pronounced “wa ki ya”) alpaca is characterized by a fiber that is dense, crimped and wooly in appearance. The abundant coverage gives the huacaya a soft and huggable look and explains the overwhelming popularity that the huacaya enjoys worldwide. Like the suri, the huacaya is a hardy and healthy animal that produces a fine and highly prized fiber. The new and burgeoning alpaca fiber movement will be literally built on the backs of these plush and puffy little “teddy bears”.
Alpaca Fiber...
Alpacas have rich fiber that is recognized worldwide as one of the most luxurious natural fibers. Coveted by the fashion industry, it fetches high prices in the market place. Alpaca fleece is softer than cashmere, warmer than wool and stronger than both. Its uses also include household items like blankets, rugs and upholstery. Alpaca fleece has 22 recognized natural colors, ranging from pure white to fawns to browns to grays and black. Alpacas can have a uniform color or they can have a pinto fleece in two or more colors. The fiber is shorn once a year, and can yield up to 6 kilograms of fiber with an exquisite softness that is very warm. . Alpaca fleece has a sheen that is frequently compared to silk.
Alpaca Behavior...
Being herd animals, alpacas are happiest when in the company of other alpacas. They have a variety of sounds with which they communicate with each other. They commonly use a humming sound in a variety of situations, such as when they are separated from their mother or the rest of the herd, when the female is about to give birth and when they are happy and there is no apparent reason to communicate. The mothers have a clucking sound to call their babies. There is also a high intensity call (screech) that they emit when there is a danger, at which time the entire herd runs and huddles together.
Alpacas have rich fiber that is recognized worldwide as one of the most luxurious natural fibers. Coveted by the fashion industry, it fetches high prices in the market place. Alpaca fleece is softer than cashmere, warmer than wool and stronger than both. Its uses also include household items like blankets, rugs and upholstery. Alpaca fleece has 22 recognized natural colors, ranging from pure white to fawns to browns to grays and black. Alpacas can have a uniform color or they can have a pinto fleece in two or more colors. The fiber is shorn once a year, and can yield up to 6 kilograms of fiber with an exquisite softness that is very warm. . Alpaca fleece has a sheen that is frequently compared to silk.
Alpaca Behavior...
Being herd animals, alpacas are happiest when in the company of other alpacas. They have a variety of sounds with which they communicate with each other. They commonly use a humming sound in a variety of situations, such as when they are separated from their mother or the rest of the herd, when the female is about to give birth and when they are happy and there is no apparent reason to communicate. The mothers have a clucking sound to call their babies. There is also a high intensity call (screech) that they emit when there is a danger, at which time the entire herd runs and huddles together.
Mating....
There are two methods used for breeding alpacas.
1. Pen breeding
2. Paddock breeding
Which one to choose depends on your alpacas. We use pen mating.
There are two methods used for breeding alpacas.
1. Pen breeding
2. Paddock breeding
Which one to choose depends on your alpacas. We use pen mating.