History     Lifespan     Weight     Height     Maturity     Gestation     Feeding & Stocking Levels

  Communicate     Teeth     Feet     Dung     Worming    Vaccinate    Shelter      Vet

  

   
   

A Brief History

 

 

 

 

 

Camalids, that is Llamas, Guanacos, Alpacas and Vicunas, were first domesticated by the South American Inca Civilization more than 5000 years ago. Llamas, because of their bigger size, were used as pack animals, while Alpacas and Vicunas were held in the highest regard by the Inca, because of their fine fleece, which was used to clothe their Royalty.

Thousands of years of highly regimented, state controlled selective breeding for the best fibre animals, was severely disrupted by the Spanish Conquest in the 16th Century, and with the Introduction of Spanish horses, mules, sheep, swine and dogs, the Alpacas were forced to find refuge 4000 feet up, high on the altiplano of the Andes.

This has however led to a hardy breed which can survive on low protein vegetation and temperature extremes. Today they are found mainly in the Andean Mountain ranges of Peru, Bolivia and Chile.

Alpaca fibre was first recognised as valuable, in the 1860s by Sir Titas Salt when he noticed that sheep fleece from Peru arrived in sacks made of a superb material with an impressive sheen and texture. English investment eventually led to international acclaim and helped to establish alpaca as a luxury fibre which Queen Victoria is reported to have worn during her reign.  
                                                                                          

   
 
Click on the Image to see an enlargement.
 They graze happily with other livestock

   
Average Lifespan : 15 - 20 year
                                                                                          		   
Height :  1 metre  (3 feet ) at the Wither.    1.5 metres at the head (5 feet).
 		    
Weight:  50 -80 kg   (110 -170 lb. )                                                                       
    
Maturity :      

                      Females-

Can be bred at 18 -24 months. They are induced ovulators and can therefore be bred all year round.  Pregnancy confirmation is usually done  by ultrasound / Scanning   or progesterone testing. They can have one cria per year throughout their life  time. For most of the pregnancy the foetus is small and this therefore  reduces the stress to the animal . They  make excellent mothers and will suckle the cria until weaning.      
Males-

Can start work at 2-3 years of age. During the mating   act the male makes a sound called "Orgling" This can be  quite loud. 

 

  
Gestation :  

11.5 months. They rarely have twins, and normally deliver in daylight hours. This is to ensure that the cria is up and mobile well before nightfall - vital in the harsh environment of the Andean Mountains from which they originate. A cria is normally 6 - 9 kg at birth and should stand and suckle within 30 minutes. They are weaned at 6 months.
New born cria
First milk
 
 
Communication :

Alpacas are shy intelligent animals with enormous round eyes and long lashes. They are naturally curious and docile yet hardy and adapt well to the environment. When handled correctly they can be very affectionate. They communicate through  body  posture - tail and ear positions,  and a variety of humming  noises.  They usually spit only when they  feel threatened. As a herd they warn off predators
such as foxes.
                                                                                                

    
Feeding &
Stocking Levels :   		 They are happy in a small paddock with a minimum of 2 alpacas per acre, but it is advisable to keep at least 3 or 4 together as alpacas are herd animals and will not stay happy or healthy on their own. Stocking levels are approx. 4-6 per acre however it is necessary to plan for rotation of fields in the winter months as grass becomes depleted. When introducing new animals to a herd it is important to consider buying two alpacas that know each other to help them adjust to the new herd.

They  graze happily with other livestock. They prefer short moist pasture grasses. All pasture should be completely free from - Ragwort, Laurel, Laburnum and Yew.           
Winter - Alpacas will need a vitamin supplement in November and February and possibly during lactation.Alpacas also require access to ad lib hay all year, although the amount that they eat reduces considerably in the summer months.
Access to clean drinking water should be available at all times. 		    
 
Ad-Lib hay available
all year round


        
   
 
Feet : Trimming should be done as needed - about 2 -3 times per year depending on individual requirements. Soft padded feet are easy on the ground.
 		    
Dung : Is done in communal piles around the field, which makes collection easy plus it is a very good fertilizer as it has a low nitrogen content which means it does not burn the base of plants. Worm infestation is also at a minimum as they do not tend to eat around the dung pile.
                                                                                                		    
Vaccination : Is normally carried out twice a year,however some farms have moved to an annual regime. It is advised that you discuss vaccinations with your vet.
Mothers `to be `are also given a vaccination 4-6 weeks prior to birth to cover the newborn cria until their first vaccination approx 30 and 60 days following birth.
                                                                             		    
    
Suri Alpaca
Huacaya Alpaca
 
Worming : Is normally carried out twice a year subject to faeces worm counts and upon vets advice. Worming can be by injection or liquid drench.If you are advised that liver fluke is found in the area it is also advisable to inject or drench as a precaution.

    
Teeth :   Trim teeth as necessary. Generally once a year at shearing time. Males need to have their fighting teeth removed to avoid an injury to other males.

    
Shelter : 
Click on the image to see an enlargement.

Three sided shelters provide
minimum protection from
bad weather.
                          

                            
   
Although they are very hardy and remarkably disease resistant, meaning low vet bills, they should be provided with some minimal shelter e.g. a 3 sided shelter for protection in bad weather, shade in summer and a safe haven in bad weather for any newborn cria. It is preferable to have some form of shelter available for the annual shearing in late Spring/Summer.
                                                                                                          
    
Vet: ALWAYS CONSULT YOUR VET IF IN DOUBT ABOUT ANY ASPECT OF YOUR ALPACAS HEALTH