About Alpacas
“Is that REAL?” “Are those llamas?” “What the heck are they?”
All of these comments and more are heard by alpaca owners on a daily basis. Yes, they are very real, they are related to llamas and here you will learn much more about these gentle, wondrous creatures we know as alpacas.
Alpacas are fiber producing livestock. Their soft, silky fleece, similar to cashmere, is used to make yarns and fabrics for luxurious clothing. The tensile strength and durability of alpaca fiber also makes it suitable to being employed in a variety of household goods such as rugs, blankets and quilts. Alpacas in the USA are shorn once a year, early in the spring, to harvest their fiber and to ensure they don’t suffer from summer’s heat and humidity. Learn more info on the fiber aspect of the alpaca.
Alpacas are members of the Camelid family and are related to llamas, vicuna, guanaco and yes, camels! Originating from the high mountains of South America, alpacas are generally not difficult to keep. They require good quality forage – pasture or grass hay – and benefit from supplemental minerals formulated to compensate for any deficiencies in their local diet. Alpacas are compact animals (average 150 lbs), very efficient digesters, and do not require large acreage. Generally, as many as 8-10 alpacas can be grazed on grassy, one-acre (minimum) pastures. Their soft, padded feet are gentler on the soil than livestock with hooves. They use a community dung pile which makes fly and odor control more manageable, too, as well as enabling convenient clean up for intestinal parasite control. They are very environmentally friendly animals to live with – alpacas are green!
Alpacas are good neighbors – quiet and peaceful in their habits. They are capable of producing a variety of sounds, but when they are content and well cared for, they rarely make any sound at all.
Alpacas are hardy animals and like being outdoors most of the time, but need shelter (such as a 3 sided shed) available where they can take refuge from inclement weather. They tolerate cold but need shelter from severely cold wind or sub-freezing temperatures. They need relief from very hot and humid weather as they are subject to heat stress.
Alpacas are gentle natured herd animals and are very social with other alpacas. They are known to suffer stress-induced health problems if kept alone. They prefer the company of other alpacas. Where alpacas are concerned, the larger the herd, the safer and happier they feel. Alpacas embrace the concept of “The more the merrier!”
Alpacas are small and have few defenses against predators. The most common predator causing injury and death to alpacas has turned out to be the free-roaming domestic dog. Secure wire mesh fencing is essential for the protection of alpacas. Many alpaca owners add another layer of protection by keeping Livestock Guard Dogs, or Guardian Llamas in pastures with their alpacas.
As with all other livestock, alpacas need a worming and vaccination protocol appropriate to your farm and general area. Periodically they need their toenails trimmed. Some alpacas need to have their teeth filed or trimmed, also. They don’t often require a vet as most of the necessary medical care can be provided by a trained owner, but it is vital insurance to have an established relationship with a vet familiar with camelids who will make farm calls when you need them.
Alpacas fit the needs of so many people. They are gentle animals, good with children, relatively low maintenance and environmentally friendly! Plus, their fiber can be made into so many exquisite garments and more.
