About Alpacas

WHY ALPACAS ?

The alpaca is an animal which is a pleasure to own, and provides an income without slaughter, they are bred in a range of colours, and grow a luxury fibre in exchange for daily care and routine husbandry. They are relatively hardy, easy to manage, and are equally suited to small holdings or larger farm situations.

WHAT FACILITIES DO THEY NEED?

In a smaller herd situations, alpacas do not graze off a large field effectively during the grass growing season, and paddocks are much more suitable. Over time we have gradually fenced off additional areas as our herd has increased. We now have many paddocks, free of poisonous weeds, for rotation of grazing, for separation of weanlings, and also maturing males, a separate stud paddock, and a visiting females paddock.

A number of field shelters protect food and hay from the weather and provide shelter for the alpacas.

Living in a very wet area of the country, we prefer to house the alpacas in our barns overnight, through the worst of the winter, they do enjoy it, but this is not essential if they utilise the field shelters provided.

Our fencing is standard stock wire with a top rail which we have found is adequate. We would strongly advise against using barbed wire. Alpacas should be regularly checked throughout the day, and always have a supply of clean water. An average of 6 can be kept per acre, and, even on wet land damage to the ground is kept to a minimum due to their soft padded feet.

ARE THEY EASY TO LOOK AFTER?

They are a gentle creature, and easy to handle. We vaccinate against clostridial diseases and worm in accordance with fecal testing. TOE NAILS need to be trimmed regularly, but is a job easily tackled by 2 people. Some Alpacas may need their TEETH trimmed occasionally, to keep them level with the dental pad, this is best tackled when the Alpaca is restrained for shearing.
SHEARING is best done May-August, pregnant females are best sheared after giving birth and before mating, or between 6 weeks and 45 weeks gestation. Total gestation is normally between 335 and 360 days.

ANYTHING ELSE?

Alpacas are herd animals, we recommend a minimum of 3 of the same sex should be kept together, although working stud males can be kept on their own within sight of the others, or in a group away from open females.

Alpacas can be happily grazed with other livestock, but should be fed separately as they will not compete at the trough, also extra worming may be necessary. Caution is always advised with regard to horses.

We feed a specially formulated camelid feed which provides all the required vitamins and minerals. Any growing young stock, pregnant or lactating females and working stud males should receive a daily ration.

GELDINGS OR BREEDING FEMALES?

A gelding herd will provide a regular fibre crop, and will give much pleasure. The purchase of females is a much larger expense, but provides the opportunity to watch your herd grow, improving with each generation through careful and selective breeding.

DO THEY MAKE GOOD MOTHERS?

Alpacas on the whole make excellent moms. The majority of the times criation (giving birth) takes place on a morning or afternoon, average cria (baby) birth weights are from 15 - 18lbs. With each birth we do our 'cria check' which includes towel drying the cria, a general health check, attending the umbilical cord, and weighing - if the weather is cold the cria gets a coat on. The dam gets a warm udder sponge and a check that milk is flowing to all 4 teats, she usually passes the placenta within a couple of hours. The cria should very soon be up and about and looking for the 'milk bar' - it is vital that crias receive adequate colostrum in their first 12 hours.

Crias are weaned ideally when they are at least 6 months old.

ALPACAS - AN OVERVIEW

This is only a brief insight into what alpaca farming involves, and would recommend anyone who is considering buying animals, to contact various breeders for details of their experiences, attend alpaca husbandry courses, and read as much information as you can, especially if buying breeding stock. This will be of great benefit to the alpacas, and new owners alike.

Personalised Training Courses Available - Contact us for details

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