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A little about history, characteristics, behavior, breeding, and provisions information
History:
Alpacas are intelligent animals with huge brown, expressive eyes, topknots,
naturally curious and amusing personalities, and an abundance of soft fiber.
The ancient Incas in South America held these animals in high esteem. Alpacas
are native to Peru, Bolivia, and 
Chile
and still live on the high plateaus of South America’s Andean mountains. Alpacas
are members of the camelidae family as are llamas and vicuna. Alpacas produce
prized fiber that is soft, warm, and equivalent to mohair. It is only surpassed
by the protected South American vicuna’s fiber. Alpacas were first imported
into the United States in 1984. Although, most alpacas are still found grazing
in large herds in South America the U.S. supports approximately 90,000 throughout
various climate zones. Today the center of the alpaca textile industry is located
in Arequipa, Peru. For us, it’s been exciting to see more catalogs beginning
to carry high quality lightweight, warm fiber products made from alpaca’s fleeces.
We believe the industry is on the edge of great fashion and a wonderful future
for the alpaca.
Characteristics:
Alpacas are considerably smaller and more compact than llamas and not used
as “pack animals” but rather are valued for their fiber used in blankets, sweaters,
scarves, socks, and coats among other items. There are 22 natural colors and
one pleasure of owning and raising alpacas is guessing what color a sire and
dam may produce. Colors range from basic black and white to many beautiful
shades of brown, gray, tan and fawn. Alpaca’s
front
legs should look straight or nearly straight when viewed from the front. They
have soft, padded two toed feet with nails that grow out and down. This foot
design along with their smaller size is easy on terrain. Adult alpacas generally
weigh 105-150 (females) and 150-180 (males) and stand two to three feet at
the withers. Their life span is 20 plus years. Gestation is approximately 335
- 345 days. Alpacas generally always give birth during the morning daylight
hours and produce a single birth. Baby alpacas are called crias and they will
weigh anywhere from 12-20 pounds at birth. Alpacas come in two fiber types
– the huacaya (wa-ki-a) and suri. The huacaya is characterized by a fiber that
is dense, crimped and wooly in appearance. This adorable soft, huggable look
promotes their overwhelming popularity and North America numbers. The suri
alpaca are more rare and make up a smaller percentage of the world’s alpaca
population. Their fiber grows parallel to the body and hangs in long, separate,
non-crimped locks. Alpaca fiber is prized for it’s softness, strength, and
length. It is three times stronger than sheep’s wool. The best and densest
fiber is from the blanket (back, sides, and loin) of the animals.
Behavior:
Alpacas are very herd-oriented and are most comfortable in the company of
their own kind. As with most animals groups, there is a hierarchy of more dominant
and less assertive animals. Because of the alpaca’s size handling is easier
especially by people who understand their ways. Alpacas are intelligent and
curious animals. They love to 
discover
an unlatched gate and will go on a short trip! One real pleasure is they share
a few communal disposal piles around a pasture/corral. Clean up is easy and
they produce pellets that are low in nitrogen and make an excellent fertilizer.
Alpacas communicate with a variety of mostly quiet noises, body postures and
an occasional spit when confronted in a threatening way. The most common sound
is “humming.” They are very alert, never seeming to sleep, and will sound of
an alarm call if a strange intruder approaches. Alpacas love water and in hot
weather enjoy a creek to wade in or a hose or sprinkler to cool their bellies
in. In extreme cold, the alpacas we are raising love “a pail of warm tea” (water)
in the mornings. Alpacas are sometimes playful and put on a wonderful enlightening
performance “pronking” around the fields.
Breeding:
Female alpacas are considered mature when they reach 75% of their body weight,
which generally occurs around 18-24 months of age. Females are induced ovulators
and if “open” are receptive to breeding almost constantly. Males mature at
a slower rate and typically begin their breeding careers at 2 ½ to 3 years
of age. Males will give off an orgling sound while breeding, which lasts around
15-30 minutes. There are several methods of determining pregnancy that include
behavior testing (observing a female’s receptivity with an intact male), a
blood progesterone test to check levels after 21 days, or an internal or external
ultrasound.
Provisions:
Alpacas are curious and like to investigate, but rarely challenge a fence.
Adequate 
fencing
is more crucial in keeping out unwanted predators (wild packs or the neighbor’s
dog). A woven wire (2” x 4” squares) or any solid material that rises to five
feet in height is usually sufficient. We employ a guard llama as an aid for
securing our pastures. Other people use guard dogs that are raised around
the alpacas such as Great Pyrenees. Alpacas are hardy animals and adapt to
all climates with care and consideration taken in extremes. An open barn,
shelter or overhang in warmer and colder seasons is adequate. Alpacas have
three stomachs, are browsers, and very economical to feed. They require clean,
grass type hays (10-12% protein), or clean pastures of orchard and brome grasses.
Supplemental pellets and free choice minerals should be available. Females
in their last trimester, nursing
mothers and growing crias require higher
levels of protein. Fresh water should always be available. Alpacas are hardy
animals and will benefit by preventive medicine and readily accessibility
to veterinary services. Having a local veterinarian who takes an interest
and is willing to learn about the species is essential. General care includes
annual vaccinations, a de-worming program based on your area, toe nail trimming,
yearly shearing, incisors and fighting teeth trimming if they exhibit excessive
growth, and a clean, healthy, happy environment.
Have more specific questions? Please contact us. We love to share our knowledge and experiences!