About Alpacas

                

The World's Finest Livestock Investment

Alpacas are members of the Camelid Family. They originate from the mountains of Peru, Chili, and Bolivia. The Inca rulers considered alpacas a national treasure and suri fiber was used exclusively for clothing for the ruling class. Alpacas were brought to America in 1984

Suris are distinguished by their fiber. Their fleece falls in locks and is as fine and soft as cashmere with the luster of silk. There are approximately 2,100 suris in the United States.

Huacayas comprise about 90 percent of the alpaca population. There are approximately 14,000 in the United States. Their fleece has crimp, is woolly in appearance, and is easier to spin and knit since it has more memory.

 Alpacas are hardy, healthy, sociable animals. They should not be raised in isolation. They are sensible and gentle with children. The average height of an alpaca is 33 to 35 inches at the withers. Their average weight is 120 to 175 pounds (1/2-1/3 the size of a llama). Average life span is 20 to 25 years. A unique characteristic of an alpaca is its tendency to create a community dung pile. This makes clean up very easy.

 We shear our alpacas every spring. The fleece comes in 22 natural colors and is virtually lanolin-free. It is stronger and lighter than wool and seven to eight times warmer than wool. The insulating quality is due to the fact that the fiber is hollow. The finest of the fiber is measured in microns. The fleece sells for sells for $2 to $5 per ounce.

 The gestation period of alpacas is approximately 11 months. Twins are very rare. A baby alpaca is called a cria. Alpacas are induced ovulators. This means they can be bred at any time of the year. They are normally bred 14 to 21 days after delivering a cria. Crias are normally born in the morning without problems. (We had only one birth that needed the assistance of a veterinarian.)

Alpacas eat grasses and chew a cud like a cow. They have a very efficient digestive system. This was essential because of the short supply of food during part of the year in their native lands. We provide hay and a mixture of grains with minerals, vitamins, and selenium. In the summer their diet is mainly grasses from the pasture, but they enjoy some hay even then. An abundant water supply is essential.

Here in Wisconsin, we give a monthly injection of Ivomec to prevent meningeal worm carried by the white tail deer. We also use an oral dewormer and CD/T. Toenails and teeth are checked monthly and trimmed as needed. We body score our animals at least once per month. This indicates if the alpaca is overweight or underweight and we can determin whether we need to adjust their diet. It is important to take time to observe the alpacas daily, paying particular attention to their eating, drinking, defecating, and interaction with each other.

Alpaca owners are a unique breed. You will find them to be very helpful in answering any questions that come up. There is an alpaca discussion forum on the Internet that facilitates getting help quickly from from owners and veterinarians all over the world. There is an annual National Conference held in various parts of the country where breeders meet to share information. These conferences also host lecturers from all over the globe sharing their expertise in all aspects of alpaca ownership. The Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association (AOBA) has pamphlets, videos, magazines and books available.

Alpacas make good investments as well as practical pets. The financial returns from owning a small herd of alpacas are generous. Alpacas can provide a satisfying addition to ones investment portfolio with the added benefit of encouraging a healthy lifestyle and family cohesiveness. Alpacas are a stress free investment that you can hug. They are 100 percent insurable and tax deductible.