The Andean Camelid

Alpacas are still fairly new and uncommon in the USA. They are gentle and friendly creatures that are easy to handle. Their good disposition and amazing alertness are typical characteristics of an alpaca. However, they are not pets nor should they be treated as such. Called pacocha in Quechua and allpachu in Aymara, the native languages widely spoken in the highlands of Peru and Bolivia, respectively.

Its fiber comes in a broad spectrum of colors, more than any other livestock. It is highly appreciated in the textile industry due to its unique qualities. Alpacas are ruminants and need no special diet. They are grazers and browsers with highly efficient digestive systems. They do very well on low protein, good quality forage and hay. Many breeders supplement their alpaca’s diet with a pellet “ration balancer”, to supply the necessary vitamins and minerals. In fact, an alpaca costs far less to feed than most domestic animals.

Shearing, nail clipping and regular vaccine shots are required. Shearing takes place at least once a year. Alpacas can be shorn with regular sheep-shearing equipment. Electrical shears are mostly used in the US, while hand shearing is the method mainly applied in Peru and Bolivia.

An annual yield of fiber is approximately six pounds from a female alpaca and more than ten pounds from a male. Alpaca fiber can be made into yarn, tops and garments of beautiful colors and shades. The fiber is easily dyed and may be blended with other natural fibers including sheep’s wool, mohair, angora, silk and llama fiber. The alpaca stands 1.50 meters or 5 ft tall, they grow to weigh about 150 to 200 pounds and can live 20 years or more.

An alpaca female bears only one offspring a year after an 11-month gestation period. The offspring is called “cria”. The female reaches sexual maturity and generally mates between the ages of two and three. The male, meanwhile, mates later at the age of three. The mating and reproduction season in the US occurs between April and May and October and November, and a month after whelping, the female is ready to mate again. Mating is supervised in the US to avoid inbreeding that would adversely affect the quality of the offspring. In addition, the ARI register requires close supervision of breeding practices. Males and females graze in separate paddocks and are only brought together at the moment of mating.

Due to their size and easy care, alpacas are the ideal livestock for small acreage. Six to eight alpacas can be stocked comfortably on a single acre, though rotation of paddocks once a year is recommended. Alpaca management is relatively uncomplicated. As they deposit droppings in only a few places in the paddock, they are a breeze to clean up. The alpaca’s droppings make excellent natural fertilizer which does not require mixing with chemicals or any kind of preparation prior to being applied.

Alpacas do require some minimal fencing to protect them from predators as they do not have incisors, horns, hooves or claws to protect themselves. Also, protection from rain, snow and other elements of nature is needed. A run-off shed might be sufficient, though many breeders have barns with overhangs to protect them from the weather. Alpacas prefer grazing in open pastures as opposed to confinement in closed barns and stalls. Some breeders will keep their animals inside the barn at night while others allow them to roam at will. The likely presence of predators in the area will be the main determinant factor on how to handle your herd. If there is a problem to be faced in caring for alpacas outside their nature highland habitat, it is keeping them cool during the summer months.

Hot, sunny days can be very dangerous for an animal with such heavy fleece that does not naturally shed. Breeders rely on fans, readily available water and, of course, shearing to help the alpacas tolerate the heat. To that end shearing is usually done in the spring in the USA.

A gregarious animal, alpacas should be allowed to graze with at least one companion of the same sex. They communicate with each other, and with you, through body posture, tail and ear movements, and a variety of sounds. The sound that alpacas produce most often is a soft humming. Alpacas come in two varieties known by their Quechua names: Huacayas or Wakayas and Suri. The Huacaya has dense and spongy or crimpy fiber which grows over nearly all of its body, leaving only its face and legs covered with short hairs. The Suri, meanwhile, has lank, long and silky fibers which can hang down 15 cm.

Raising alpacas is a fascinating activity that yields good financial returns and, more importantly, provides for a relaxing way of life. There are no words to describe the joy of watching my herd graciously walk from its paddock towards the feeding areas when they spot me coming to feed them every morning and evening.