Alpaca faq

Alpaca FAQ 1 What is an Alpaca?
Alpacas are members of the Camelid family, along with llamas, camels, and vicuñas.

Alpaca FAQ 2 How big do they grow?

Adults grow to about 0.85 metres at the withers and weigh between 50 and 75 kilos.

Alpaca FAQ 3 How big does an alpaca get?

Cria are usually between 10 and 22 pounds. Full grown animals can range from 130 to 170 pounds with large males at the high end.

Alpaca FAQ 4 Do alpacas bite?

Alpaca only have teeth in the bottom jaw with a hard pallet on the top so they can't really bite you and probably would not try.

Alpaca FAQ 5 Are alpacas intelligent?

Alpacas are very intelligent and easy to train. In just a few repetitions they will pick up and retain many behaviors such as accepting a halter, being led, lifting a foot for toe-nail trimming and loading in or out of a vehicle.

Alpaca FAQ 6 How many babies does an alpaca have?

Alpacas almost always deliver one baby called a cria. Twins are extremely rare and many times don't survive.

Alpaca FAQ 7 How long do they live?

Alpacas live around 20-25 years. 

Alpaca FAQ 8 How big are Alpacas?

Baby alpacas weigh 10-20 pounds at birth. In adulthood, they weigh between 100 and 175 pounds. 

Alpaca FAQ 9 How do you call the members of an Alpaca Family?

The baby is called a cria(cre-a), the father a sire, and the mother a dam. 

Alpaca FAQ 10 Are there different types of Alpaca?

There are two types of Alpaca. The suri (sir-e) has long fibers that resemble strands of rope. The huacaya (wa-ki-a) has a more fluffy fiber with a lot of crimp. 

Alpaca FAQ 11 How much room does an alpaca need?

Again, this depends on your specific conditions. An acre of good pasture can support approximately 15 to 20 alpacas.

Alpaca FAQ 12 What are alpacas used for?

Uses include breeding stock, fiber production, companion animals and pet therapy.

Alpaca FAQ 13 Why are alpacas so popular?

Alpacas are one of the easiest to care for of all livestock. Alpacas are clean (they share a communal dung pile), quiet, odor free, and possess a gorgeous, highly desired fleece.

Alpaca FAQ 14 Do you have to have a lot of land to raise Alpacas?  

No, you can usually have 5-10 Alpacas per acre of land, depending on terrain, rain/snowfall amounts, available lush grasses, etc.  Of course, Alpacas can also be raised on a dry lot and be grass fed.

Alpaca FAQ 15  Do they get along alright alone?

Llamas and alpacas are herding animals, and are most happy when in the company of other animals, preferring other llamas or alpacas.

Alpaca FAQ 16 What do you feed an Alpaca?

Alpacas graze, as well as eat low protein hay with a grain supplement. The cost to feed an alpaca should not exceed $7 or $8 a month if they are 100% hay fed and even less if they are able to graze 

Alpaca FAQ 17  What is the gestation period?

The gestation period is 11-1/2 months (350 days average).

Alpaca FAQ 18  When do females stop breeding?

Females will breed throughout their life.

Alpaca FAQ 19 How much do the babies weigh when born?

Average llama cria (baby) weight is 25 lbs, alpaca crias average 18 lbs.  Almost always a single cria birth, twins are very rare.

Alpaca FAQ 20 Do we need a big ranch?

No. Alpacas do very well on small acreage. 8 to 10 alpaca can graze on 1 acre quite easily. Many people purchase alpacas and board them with another alpaca owner. The cost for boarding is $2 to $3 per day per alpaca. This would include feed, immunizations, and routine care. 

Alpaca FAQ 21 Are they messy?

No. Alpacas do not spread manure around like horses do. They will establish an area to use and then deposit their virtually odorless droppings in the same area each time, so cleanup is easy. The waste can be placed in a compost pile and makes excellent fertilizer. 

Alpaca FAQ 22 Do we need a barn?

No. The only requirement is shade and a windbreak. Alpacas are accustomed to the cold weather of the Andes Mountains. Their fiber provides excellent insulation and protection from the cold. As for heat protection, they should be shorn in spring or early summer allowing them to remain cool during the hot summer months, and shade is a must. 

Alpaca FAQ 23 Do we need elaborate fences?

Fences are erected not as much to keep alpacas in (they will rarely challenge a fence), but more to keep predators out. Dogs and coyotes are the predators we worry about the most. Breeders will commonly use a 5 to 6 foot perimeter fence made of welded wire or non-climb mesh. 

Alpaca FAQ 24 What's so special about alpaca fiber?

A: Alpaca fiber, or fleece, is very soft and fine. It is stronger and warmer than wool.  It also lacks lanolin so it can be worn by those who are allergic to wool.  Alpaca is comparable to cashmere and is often seen in the world of high fashion.  It is warm, lightweight and comes in at least 22 different natural colors.  The fiber can be handspun, knitted, woven, or felted.

Alpaca FAQ 25 Do they spit?

Not very often. When they do, it's usually when their food or young is threatened. As a general rule alpacas are very social and each has a distinct personality. They are gentle and non-aggressive and will halter train and even perform on an obstacle course or dress in costume for parades. They have no upper teeth, will not bite, and children are always attracted to alpacas as alpacas are to them. 

Alpaca FAQ 26  Is their manure good fertilizer?

A:  Their manure is excellent fertilizer and may be applied to the garden immediately. Because they are not nomadic (stay in an outlined territory), and mark their territory with their dung piles, they usually wait to get to a dung pile to defecate or urinate.

Alpaca FAQ 27 Do you have to castrate the males if they won't be used for

breeding?

Not every male must be castrated.  This is an individual choice by temperament, and many get along fine without castration.  There is some disagreement among breeders and owners regarding this subject.

Alpaca FAQ 2.24:  When do they reach breeding maturity?

A:  Breeding capability is reached by 16-24 months.  Some breeders

starting females at 12 months (some females will be capable at 9

months), with most breeders waiting until 24 months to allow full

development of the mother's growth.  Males usually don't reach sexual potency

until 24 months, with the rare one becoming potent as early as 12 months.

Alpaca FAQ 28 What sounds do alpacas make?

Alpacas communicate with a series of ear, body and tail postures. Females make soft humming sounds to their cria. Alpacas also can emit a shrill alarm sound. Alpacas may occasionally cluck with their tongue. Male alpacas make a unique sound, called orgling, when they mate.

Alpaca FAQ 29 Are all alpacas white?

No, alpaca come in over 130 distinct colors ranging from black to white, dark brown to cream, and several shades of silver. The ability to produce an almost limitless color pallet with no dye is a primary advantage of alpaca fiber. Still, the ability to dye the fiber is important and is why white is the predominant color in both South and North America.

Alpaca FAQ 30 What is the difference between a fiber animal and a pet?

A Fiber Animal produces high quality fiber in sufficient quantity to make a profit. It may have a confomational defect or some other minor issue that keeps it from doing well in the show ring. A pet does not produce high quality fiber and may also have a slight conformational issue.

Alpaca FAQ 31 What about breeding?

Alpacas are mature enough to breed around 12 to 16 months old. They have no season, or menstrual cycle, as many other animals do. Rather, they are induced ovulators, meaning the eggs of the female are released in response to mating. Gestation lasts about 11 months and they are usually rebred 2 weeks after delivery. Crias are weaned between 5 to 6 months of age. The females breeding years are limited to about 15. Males develop more slowly and are ready to breed between 2 to 3 years old. 

Alpaca FAQ 32 Do they require special veterinary care?

Not really. Most of the health care that alpacas require can be done by the owner. They need an immunization injection once a year, deworming medication several times a year, and toe nails trimmed on occasion. Under 5% of births are complicated and require veterinary intervention. 

Alpaca FAQ 33 Do you shear Aplacas?

Yes, alpacas are usually shorn once a year in the spring or early summer. The fleece from shearing one year's growth will weigh about 5 pounds per alpaca, enough to make 6 or 7 sweaters. Their fiber is an incredible commodity. It is soft like cashmere and strong like mohair. Alpaca fleece is very warm and is an exceptional insulator, because the fibers are medullated (hollow). Alpacas rarely have guard hairs like sheep (guard hairs give wool its scratchy feel) so alpaca products feel very soft and comfortable. 

Alpaca FAQ 34 How often does a female Alpaca reproduce? 

One of the traits of an Alpaca is their gestation cycle is approximately 11 months, just like a horse.  The female Alpaca normally gives birth during the early morning hours to mid-afternoon.  If the female has not had her baby (called a cria) during the daytime hours, most likely the cria will wait until the day.  Twins are extremely rare and most Alpacas have only single births.  The Alpaca average lifespan is about 20 years.

Alpaca FAQ 35 How can you transport an Alpaca? 

Alpacas are virtually easy to transport.  Even though you can hire professionals to transport your animals, Alpacas can be taken for short distances inside vans or cars.   If you decide to transport this way, most people put down a piece of old carpet or an inexpensive rug to protect the vehicle’s carpeting in case of an “accident”  The most common transportation is a livestock trailer for long distances, since the animals will ”cush” or lay down during transportation.

Alpaca FAQ 36 What is the average price range for an Alpaca? 

Just like many other products on the market, price is a reflection of supply and demand.  Interest in the Alpaca business is increasing and with only 90,000 Alpacas in the United States , the price for non-breeding males start around $1,000 and ranges to over $400,000 plus for registered herdsires.  Most people start their herd with bred females ranging in price from $15,000 to $30,000.  Since the gestation period for a female is 11 plus months, the supply is unlikely to exceed demand in the foreseeable future.

Alpaca FAQ 37 Who do you sell the fiber to?

There are 2 main outlets to market your fiber. Weavers and hand spinners love to work with alpaca fiber. The price is influenced by the color and the quality of the fleece with the average price being $3 to $5 per ounce. The second outlet is the commercial market. The Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association is working with The Alpaca Fiber Cooperative of North America to further develop the commercial market. As the total amount of fiber in the US increases, the commercial market may become a preferred option. 

Alpaca FAQ 38 Are Aplacas expensive?

Yes! A bred female will command a price between $12,000 and $30,000. Males have an even greater price range. A male with herdsire qualities will go for between $5,000 and $226,000. Pet or companion males (non-breeding) can be purchased for $500 to $3,000. 

Alpaca FAQ 39 Why are they so expensive?

High demand and limited supply. Alpacas were first imported into the United States in 1985, and importation is now closed. Herd growth is slow, (because alpacas can only have one cria per year). Both of these factors mean that supply is low. Demand has increase over the last few years as people learn more about alpaca fleece quality as well as investment potential.

Alpaca FAQ 40 Where do llamas & alpacas come from?

Alpacas come from Peru, Bolivia, and Chile, in the high plains areas called the "Altiplano" (elevation: 8,000'-15,000' ).  Alpacas were imported much more recently, beginning in the '80s. Alpacas were domesticated from their wild counterparts, the Guanaco and Vicuna. 6,000-7,000 years ago by the Quechua Indians and their fiber and Structure was improved by the Incas.

Alpaca FAQ 41 What's the difference between alpacas and llamas?

A: Size and fiber quality.  Llamas were primarily bred to be a beast of burden, and alpacas were bred primarily as fiber producers.  An average alpaca standing 34"-36" at the withers, where llamas stand 42"-48" at the withers.  An adult alpaca will generally produce 5-8#s of high quality exotic uniformly crimped fiber in a single fiber fleece, each year.

Alpaca FAQ 42  What is Berserk Male Syndrome? - or - Can llamas or alpacas become over-bonded or over-handled, and how can this be avoided? What are the results of this type of over-handling/mistreatment?

A:  This syndrome is usually caused by bottle feeding a cria and/or fondling, playing llama games (bumping, nudging, running with, & cuddling) while a youngster. The young llama then bonds so completely with humans that s/he thinks that humans are llamas too.  As s/he grows, s/he begins to play rougher and rougher, until he becomes unmanageable and (not she here) quite dangerous.  Females will develop the same bond, but their activities don't include chest-ramming and "serious" conflict, but very well may include frequent spitting at humans and a general difficulty in handling.

Alpaca FAQ 43 How do you care for an alpaca?

A: A small herd of alpacas is easy to take care of. Alpacas require fresh water and at least a 3 sided shed to protect them from the elements. In the South it is important to have a plan to prevent heat stress. We use water cooled fans and lots of shade during the day.  Alpacas eat grass, hay, some grain and mineral supplements.  While alpacas are hearty and disease resistant animals, parasite control is an important aspect of herd health. An alpaca should be de-wormed and vaccinated the same as you would a dog.  (In fact, our livestock guard dogs cost more to keep than the alpacas. ) The alpaca is often referred to as the world's finest livestock investment.

Alpaca FAQ 44 What do you do with an alpaca?

A: Alpacas have been prized for their luxuriously soft fiber since ancient times, and ultimately, this fleece is why we raise alpacas.  Each year the alpacas are sheared (we do ours in April) and their fiber processed and made into a variety of end products including sweaters, blankets, rugs, scarves, mittens, and hats. Raw fiber can be sold to hand-spinners, our Co-op, or processed at a fiber mill. 

At this time the alpaca industry is a breeder's market. Since there are only about 100,000 alpacas in this country and it is difficult to import them, the demand for this wonderful animal is greater than the supply available. That is why they are so expensive and a sound financial investment.  The potential for growth is enormous because most people have never even seen an alpaca.  

Alpaca FAQ 45 Who raises alpacas?

A: The alpaca lifestyle suits many kinds of people. Many plan to raise alpacas in retirement because they are easily handled and a good source of income. Traditional farmers can diversify by adding alpacas to their farming repertoire. Alpacas are well suited to small acreage as you can pasture 7-9 alpacas per acre.  Since alpacas are gentle and friendly (and love children), they are perfect for families.  Our alpaca herd teaches our children lessons about responsibility, agriculture, and ecology to name a few.  Also, there are many alpaca shows and events around the country each year that provide breeders with fun opportunities to get together with fellow alpaca enthusiasts. Alpaca farmers really come from all walks of life.

Alpaca FAQ 46 How much medical attention does an alpaca need?

Alpacas natural environment is the unforgiving habitat in the Andes mountains. They are very hardy animals with few medical needs. Vaccinations for rabies and monthly worming is generally all that is required. Depending on where you live, other vaccinations might be recommended by your veterinarian. Pregnant females get a little more attention to ensure pregnancy and that they are ready to be re-bred. Newborns also require some additional blood work to ensure health.

Alpaca FAQ 47 What kind of shelter does an alpaca need?

How you shelter your animals will depend on where you are located and your own preferences. In the northeast where winters can see temperatures below zero and several feet of snow, a three sided shelter provides adequate protection from the elements. Summer heat and humidity requires some method to keep the animals cool. Many farms use sprinklers. The same three sided shelter provides shade on those hot summer days. A good perimeter fence is needed to protect your investment from predators. The type of predators common in your area will dictate the extent of your fencing. You should talk with local farmers and county organizations to determine what is required.

Alpaca FAQ 48 Do alpacas make good pets? 

A: Alpacas are livestock and can be kept as pets if you have at least two of them. They like people and are curious about them. Alpacas are social but they do not spend a lot of time trying to get you to pet them. They are NOT like a dog. They prefer to enjoy people at a distance giving kisses and snuggles here and there. The alpaca has a very strong herd instinct and they are very happy to hang around with their friends in the pasture and eat grass.  For some they might be a nice pet, but be aware they MUST be sheared each Spring and kept cool during the summer. They are a joy to be around and just watching them in their pastures has been shown to lower one's blood pressure. For pet quality alpacas expect to pay between $1,500-3,000. For those interested in working with their fleece (handspinning, weaving, knitting, etc.), these alpacas are ideal.

Not really. Although they are so cute and soft that you just want to hug them, they are prey animals and are generally wary of humans. If handled properly they will get used to you but will generally not come running to be stroked like a dog or cat.

Alpaca FAQ 49 What does an alpaca eat?

Alpacas graze on grasses and whatever else they can find. They do not pull up the grass roots so pastures renew if you can rotate your animals around. The alpaca's digestive system is very efficient so low protein grasses are best. High protein forage such as alfalfa or clover is detrimental to animal health and quality fiber production.

Alpaca are instinctively foragers.  That means they each just about any kind of vegetation that suits them.  They generally eat grasses, but may eat leaves and other vegetation.  To that end, alpacas do need to be protected from plants that could harm them.  (See specific FAQ on this subject.)

Alpacas are allowed to graze on grasses but are generally given hay and supplemental feed.  These supplements are especially formulated for camelids to provide sources of protein and minerals.  Unlike cattle and other animals that are being raised for slaughter, rapid muscle development and weight gain are not considerations when raising alpacas and thus they do not require diets to accomplish those objectives.

Alpacas are ruminants, that is, they chew a cud.  Specifically, they are a “modified ruminant” which means that they have a three-compartment stomach rather than the four compartments of a true ruminant.  In any event, this enables the alpaca to efficiently convert food to energy and they require less feed than many other farm animals.

Alpaca FAQ 50 How can I invest in alpacas?

There are a number of ways you can become involved with the alpaca industry. Some are listed here but the only restriction is your imagination.

Quit your job, sell your house and move to the country. Well you don't have to go to this extreme but many people make this lifestyle change when they retire. Fully committed alpaca farming is the most consuming and potentially the most rewarding alpaca venture. If you already have land or currently have other livestock the transition or inclusion of alpacas may be minimal. This is for people who want daily hands on interaction with all aspects of animal care and breeding as well as the numerous business aspects.

Agistment is an arrangement with an established alpaca farm where you purchase one or more animals and they reside at the agisting farm. You pay a boarding fee to the agisting farm for the care and feeding of your animals. You, as the owner, make all decisions regarding your animals and are responsible for any marketing, breeding, or sales. This is attractive for people who don't have the space or time to be full time alpaca farmers but want to be fully involved with the business aspects of their herd.

Partial interest in an animal can be purchased with a wide range of participation options from hands on to totally hands off. Many farms, both large and small, welcome investors who want to benefit from the explosive growth of the alpaca industry without the day to day herd or business management responsibility. Investing in this way is highly speculative as success is dependent on the animals and mother nature.

There are a number of supporting activities on which a business can be built but the one most directly tied to the alpacas is fiber processing. Once the fiber is from the animal it must be sorted, and washed before it can be felted, spun, woven or otherwise turned into salable items. This can be done on an industrial scale, as in Peru, by hand or anywhere in between. As the American herd continues to grow the ability to process fiber will become more and more important.

Alpaca FAQ 52 How much does an alpaca cost?

The initial cost of an alpaca can range from a few hundred to several tens of thousands dollars. Your reason for owning alpacas will determine the cost of the animal. Non- breeding fiber stock will be at the lower end while high quality breeding stock will be at the higher end. Remember that these animals are investments, not pets, so the initial cost needs to be weighed against the potential profit the animal can produce.

There is no simple answer to this question.  The price is determined by the free market and is driven by the perceptions of quality and value held by buyers and sellers.  With that said, there are some generalizations that can be made.  And while these don’t cover all possibilities, they are good for the purpose of example.

A non-breeding male (that is gelded or still intact) that will be used only as a pet, fiber producer, or companion animal can range in price between US$500 and $1,500.  This variance is driven largely by his age and quality of his fleece.

A proven breeding age female that has already given birth to a live cria (baby, in alpaca-speak) can generally range in price between US$8,000 and $18,000.  Age, conformation and fleece quality as well as her bloodlines will be determiners of price.  Older females with fewer reproductive years ahead of her may be less expensive even if she has great fleece and confirmation.  Proven mothers, who are 3-5 years old with great conformation, excellent fleece, and great bloodlines and a show record can sell for prices well in excess of US$25,000.

A proven, breeding age male with great bloodlines and major show champion credentials (also called a “herdsire”) will typically be priced in the low to mid five-figure dollar range.  If his offspring are performing well and being recognized for conformation and fleece in the show ring he could sell for considerably more.  The record price for a herdsire, sold at auction was in February 27, 2010 at a price of US$675,000.  The record price for a herdsire sold in a private treaty sale is US$750,000 for a half interest.

Alpaca FAQ 53 What are the plants that could harm alpacas if they ate them?

This should NOT be considered an all-inclusive list.  However the plants listed below represent those that have been published by Dr. Murray Fowler, DVM as being potentially harmful to camelids and specifically alpacas.  You should contact your own veterinarian if you have any doubts about plants that your alpacas might come into contact with.

The only published reports of definitive plant poisoning of camelids in North America involve oleander (Nerium oleander) and the prognosis is not good with treatments difficult.  Even small amounts, if ingested, are usually fatal.

However, all ornamental plants are potentially hazardous.  Other plants that MAY adversely affect camelids include the following:

Arrowgrass (Triglochin maritina), False hellebore, corn lily (Veratrum californicum), Death camas, sandcorn (Zigadenus sp.), Nightshade (Solanum sp.), Jimsomweed, thornapple (Datura metaloides), Chokecherry, wild cherry (Pranus virginiana), Western sneezeweed (Helenium hoopesii), Labrador tea (Ledem glandulosum), Black laurel, Mt. Laurel (Leucothoe davisiae), Western azalea (Rhododendron occidentale), Rhododendron (Rhododendron sp.), Castorbean (Ricinus communis), Tobacco (Nicotiana), Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), Purple foxglove (Digitalis purpurea), Yew (Taxus baccatta), Lantana (Lantana camara), Water hemlock (Cicuta douglasii), Milkweek (Asclepias sp.)

Alpaca FAQ 54 What is a “herdsire”?

 Virtually every mature male alpaca is capable of breeding.  However, simply being fertile does not necessarily make a male suitable to be a so-called “herdsire”.  Generally, breeders will only use males with positive qualities for conformation, fleece quality and other favorable characteristics, in their breeding programs.  It would be fair to say that the objective of the vast majority of breeders is to improve the overall quality of their own herds.  This is an objective shared by other owners who seek stud services from other breeders.  Therefore, the term “herdsire” refers to those breeding age males that impart the favorable fleece quality and physical characteristics that are sought in the industry.  Males that do not possess these characteristics are generally not used for breeding.  These males often are gelded, although some breeders will leave them intact.  Doing so however, leaves the male somewhat more competitive and aggressive among his fellow males in a herd and also exposes the owner to the risk of unintended liaisons with females if a gate is accidentally left open.

Alpaca FAQ 55 How many alpaca are there in the U.S.?

 According to the industry census there are approximately 141,000 registered alpaca in the United States.  There are approximately 115,000 huacaya and 26,000 suri.  These are held by approximately 12,800 owners.  According to the census, there were about 5,200 alpaca in Texas, approximatley 4,600 being huacaya, and 600 being suri.  Contrast the figures for Texas with those of other states and one could easily conclude that Texas is still underdeveloped as a market with good growth potential.

California       11,600 alpaca, 996 owners

Colorado       11,200 alpaca, 861 owners

Ohio             23,000 alpaca, 1,179 owners

Oregon         13,800 alpaca, 561 owners

Texas           5,200 alpaca, 392 owners

Washington   16,500 alpaca, 756 owners