ALPACA FACTS

• Alpacas are members of the Camelid family, alongside Camels, Vicuna, Llamas and Guanacos.
• There are two breed types of alpaca; the Huacaya (“wuh-kai-uh”) and the Suri.
• Alpacas originate from the Andean mountains of South America but are now farmed globally for their luxurious fleece.
• Alpacas are sheared annually. Their fibre is soft, light, durable and hypo-allergenic, and is second only to silk as the strongest natural fibre in the world.
• Male alpacas are called ‘machos’, females are called ‘hembres’ and youngsters are called ‘cria’.
• Alpacas should only be kept in single sex groups. Males and females should never be mixed together…even if the male is castrated.
• Gestation is approximately 11-11.5 months and alpacas usually give birth to a single cria.
• These calm, inquisitive herd animals and can live for up to 20 years and are extremely addictive!

WHY KEEP ALPACAS?

• In the UK and Ireland, alpacas are kept mainly for their luxurious fleece, for which there is a growing international demand.
• Advanced genetics can offer a sound financial return from the  breeding and selling of elite alpaca stock.
• Alpacas make excellent pets. They are a gentle, intelligent, family friendly breed that offers a low maintenance option for those seeking a relaxed rural lifestyle.
• They are clever enough to train quickly to a halter and lead.
• Alpacas make excellent paddock grazers. Not only are they clean, safe, quiet and relatively disease resistant but they can also have a soft padded foot which makes them very gentle on the ground.
• Alpacas can prove useful as guard animals for poultry and sheep, often keeping foxes at bay.

WHAT DO ALPACAS NEED?

• Alpacas are very social animals and must always be kept in single sex groups of their own kind.
• Whilst free access to the outdoors (grazing) should be provided all year round, alpacas must always have access to a field shelter or a suitable indoor space.
• Alpacas are ideal livestock where land is limited. They eat grass and can be stocked at a rate of approximately 4 animals per acre. Alpacas also require hay or haylage ’ad-lib’ and benefit from a supplementary camelid feed.
• Alpacas require routine vaccinations, occasional foot trimming, annual shearing and parasite control when necessary.
• Standard 4ft fencing is adequate for alpacas as they rarely challenge fences or try to escape.