Ashill Alpacas

What are Alpacas?

Alpacas are gentle, inquisitive animals who respond well to quiet handling. They make excellent pets and, though initially wary of people, can easily be encouraged to take food from the hand and enjoy having their necks scratched. Part of the camel family, they are native to South America (Peru, Chile and Bolivia) where they are prized for their fine, soft fleece. This can be made into clothing that has none of the ‘prickle factor’ associated with sheep’s wool and is reputedly less likely to cause allergies.

How do you keep them?

Alpacas are undemanding in their requirements – plenty of grass, good hay and fresh water – a shed may not be necessary if the field has plenty of trees for shade and shelter. Most of all they need the company of other alpacas. They panic if separated from the herd and will pine away if kept alone. We would recommend 3 as an optimum starter number. They can live out all year round and are frugal feeders so up to 6 alpacas can be kept per acre - cleaning and rotating the paddocks is desirable at higher densities. An appropriate vitamin/mineral supplement is a good idea as the minerals in our grass are different from those of their native South America. Standard stock fencing can be used, without barbed wire – alpacas do not normally challenge fencing as they would rather stay with their friends, though if pushed they are agile jumpers. Regular checking for worms and injections for blue tongue and clostridial diseases are required. Toenails should be cut back level with the toe-pads about every 3 months and a few have teeth that grow long and make eating difficult – the shearer should be able to trim these if necessary.

Alpaca babies, known as ‘cria’, can be born at any time of year, in daylight hours usually in the late morning and weighing around 8kg. The gestation period is variable but is usually over 11 months. Mum usually gives birth unaided and the cria is often running around in less than an hour.

Shearing is done once a year, preferably in late spring, and can produce up to 5 or 6 kg of fleece. The best competes with cashmere for fineness. It is extremely soft, can be worn next to the skin without itching and the fibres are strong for their thickness, with a subtle sheen. Alpaca fleece can be made into luxurious garments and even the least fine fibre can be used for hard-wearing items such as socks, coats, rugs and carpets. It is prized by hand-spinners, can be felted and makes an excellent duvet filling!

Contact Details: Keith and Heather Rushforth | Tel: 01884 841400 | Email: ashillalpacas@gmail.com