What Are Alpacas?

alpacas
Alpacas are part of the camel family and are native to Peru, Chile and Bolivia, where they are prized for their fine and soft fleece. They are gentle, inquisitive animals who respond well to quiet handling. Needing the company of their own kind, they must always be kept with other alpacas. They are frugal feeders—up to 6 alpacas per acre can be kept if paddocks are rotated. They need grass, good hay and fresh water, with small quantities of concentrates for pregnant and lactating females. An appropriate vitamin/mineral supplement is a good idea as the minerals available 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 extremely agile jumpers. Worming and other injections are normally given at 6-month intervals, toenails must be cut back level with the toe-pads about every 3 months and some need to have their teeth trimmed occasionally.

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

Alpacas are shorn annually, producing up to 5 or 6 kg of fibre. The best competes with cashmere for fineness. It is extremely soft, can be worn next to the skin without itching and is stronger than wool, with a subtle sheen. It can be made into luxurious garments, and even the least fine fibre can be made into hard-wearing items such as socks, coats, rugs and carpets. It can be felted and makes an excellent duvet filling! Alpaca fibre is prized by hand-spinners, and the commercial market, relatively new in this country, is growing rapidly.