Alpaca History

Alpacas are a domesticated member of the camel (camelid) family.  The camelid family also includes llamas, guanacos, and vicunas from South America, and the Bactrian and Dromedary camels from Asia and Africa.   In ancient days the alpaca fleece was reserved only for royalty.  And into modern times it was unlawful for alpacas to be exported from South America because they were so important for the economy.  But those laws were changed (around 1990 for Peru) and now the closely held alpaca is being slowly multiplied around the world.

Today there are about 3 million alpacas in the Andean highlands, most of which can be found in Peru. 

Since the major first importation into the U.S. in 1984, the US herd has increased to about 47,000.  Australia has 55,000 and Canada 10,000.   Most of Canada's importations happened in the 1990's.  European and Asian countries have even less.  Most countries registries are now closed to promote a productive local alpaca economy.  Eg. You can still import alpacas into Canada from South America but they would not be eligible to be registered with the CLRC.

It is estimated that North America needs about 1 million alpacas to support a full-fledged alpaca fiber industry.  Currently harvesting fiber and selling products is a cottage industry.  It is estimated that the North American herd will hit 500,000 by 2015.

Worldwide production of Alpaca fiber is around 4000 tons as compared to about 2 million tons for sheep wool.

Alpaca Facts

Life Span: 20+ years  

Height: 32"- 42" at the shoulder

Birth Weight: 12 - 25 pounds

Adult Weight: 100 - 200+ pounds

Gestation : 11 1/2 months

Number of Offspring : 1

Reproduction, Birth & Babies

Male alpacas reach sexual maturity at about 2 1/2 years of age.  Females are first bred between  12 - 24 months of age.  Like other South American camelids, alpacas do not have a heat (estrus) cycle.  They can be bred anytime of the year, they have a 12-14 day cycle.  When a female is ovulating she will readily accept a breeding.  When she is pregnant or not ovulating she will not accept a breeding.  Because of this behavior you can "preg-check" a female by introducing a male and if she refuses then she is most likely pregnant. Introducing him a few times over a 30 day period can confirm.  The breeding process is pretty unique and usually a very pleasant experience, unlike many types of livestock.   An average gestation of 345 days produces a single baby (cria) which is usually delivered from a standing position during daylight hours. Amazingly many crias seem to be born on a sunny day around noon.  Almost always between 10am and 2pm. 

Twins are extremely rare (only 2 or 3 times in Canada that we have heard about) and can produce complications. Sometimes gestation can last over a year.  Some alpacas "show" a lot, sticking way out on the sides around the 10 month mark and some hardly show at all.

Alpacas consistently give birth between 10 am and 2pm when it is optimum for the cria to survive.  Alpaca births usually require no intervention and it is best to leave the mother with the herd as she is most comfortable with the herd around her.  Her relatives will usually be very close during birthing.  On the day or perhaps a few days prior, of the birth you will probably notice that she stops eating, cushes, rolls on her side, stretches her neck straight out as she cushes, stands over the dung pile (she is feeling pressure) a lot, these signs may continue for a short while or a couple hours.  Once the baby starts coming out the birth should happen within a half hour.  If it takes more time then the mother might need assistance.  If a birth process lasts past 5pm there is usually a problem.  Most births do require no assistance but you should be prepared to assist, to help a troubled mom.  Your vet can teach you what to expect and do.

The cria's head and front legs first emerge  The nose should be on top and the two feet below forming the triangular birthing position. That is the most important point to remember, "nose above two sets of toes".  The toe nails are covered in cartilage to aid in birthing.  The cartilage wears off very soon after the cria is on the ground.  The mother will walk around and maybe go down and try to push the baby from different positions.  The torso and rear legs come out in one final push.  Usually the mother is standing when the baby is delivered, but some will deliver lying down.   The baby emerges really clean and a little wet.  The other alpacas will come by to meet their new friend and some may even rub him and help dry him off.  The mother will be hungry and thirsty after the cria has arrived and you should provide water and feed to wherever she is.  The sac and placenta should be delivered within a few minutes or few hours.  There should be two compartments. The cria should make it into a cushing position almost immediately with his neck and head sticking up nicely.  Within a few minutes the cria will try to stand and should be correctly standing between 5 minutes to an hour.  To gender check, lift the tail, if you see two openings you got a female, only one and its a male.  Once he is walking he should start nursing very soon after that.   You can treat his cord with iodine solution to prevent infection.  It is rare but sometimes the mothers milk does not come in immediately or the cria does not feed for some reason.  You need to verify the cria is getting nourishment, he will suck even if he is not getting fed.  If the mother is dry then it is recommended that you bottle feed the cria colustrum within the first few hours.   If the cria does not feed but the mother does have milk then you need to be aware that the mother may get tender due to having a very full bag of milk.  By the end of the day the cria should be fairly stable walking.  And the next day he should be running a bit.  The new cria should gain some weight each day, several pounds a week.

Breeds, Fiber, & Color

The two coat or breed types are huacaya and suri. Both fleeces are soft and free of guard hair.  Ninety-five (95%) percent of alpacas are huacaya, with full, puffy fleeces whose crimp or crinkle is found throughout their fleeces. The lustrous straight fiber of the suri fleece hangs down in "dreadlocks", giving the suri alpaca an entirely different appearance.  Fibers of both types are considered luxury fibers in the textile trade because of their unique qualities.   The fiber comes in 22 official colors and numerous tints.  White, black, grey, brown, rose-grey, etc.  Their fiber is oil-free, super-fine and super-strong.  The fiber has air pockets which allow garments to be lightweight yet very insulating and warm.

Feeding and manure

Alpacas will consume about 1% of their body weight per day in dry matter.  eg. A 150lb alpaca will eat about 1.5 lb of grass per day.  When comparing our alpacas to sheep in the neighborhood we found that alpacas consume about half of what a sheep will eat.  During tha winter, we feed grassy hay and also feed alfalfa hay to pregnant and nursing moms and provide a free choice mineral-vitamin mix consisting mainly of kelp and brewers yeast..  Alpacas should be fed a low-protein diet, that maintains their conditioning and promotes fine healthy fiber.   It costs us about $100 to feed an alpaca for a year.  It costs about $2000 to feed a dairy cow.

Since alpacas only have lower teeth in the front and an upper pad, they are gentle on pastures, trimming grass but not pulling roots.

Alpacas use a common dung pile so barn and pasture cleanup is as easy as possible.  The dung consists of smallish hard pellets, similar to deer.   Their manure is not hot and can be applied directly as fertilizer.

Maintenance

While hardy and generally disease resistant, basic care of yearly vaccinations, worming, and regular toe and occasional dental care is recommended.    Depending on the terrain some alpacas will require toe-nail trimming and a few will require front tooth trimming.  Alpacas are shorn once a year to harvest their exquisite fleece

Big White Dogs

To protect the flock we have employed Maremma Livestock Guardian Dogs (Italian Sheep Dog). 

What are alpacas used for?

Alpacas are shorn for their valuable fleeces.  Their compact size contributes to easy management and to a desirability as a companion animal.  Alpacas easily learn to lead, jump in and out of vehicles, kush (sit down), and obey other simple commands taught all domestic members of the camelid family.  They are popular show animals.  Alpacas can also be seen at fairs and fiber fests throughout North America.  No other animal which produces fiber for textile use has such an enormous variety of colors. 

What is their personality like?

Alpacas are alert, curious, calm and predictable.  They need the companionship of other camelids, and will huddle together or move en masse when frightened or wary.   When you handle an alpaca, each has its own safe zone. Some you can pet and manipulate easily,  most will want to just stay out of reach,  and a few may want several feet of space to feel comfortable.   Most will quietly submit when you have a grip on them.  And a lot will accept being handled when distracted with a bowl of grain.  They are great with people and our young children regularly walk amongst the herd and feed them.  Our 7 year old daughter can easily lead our breeding males on halter.  Alpacas are great for building a child's confidence. 

Alpacas are one of the few species where intact males tolerate other intact males.

How do they communicate?

Alpacas express themselves with a soft hum, with other vocalizations, and with body language, such as neck posturing, ear and tail positioning, and head tilt. They have excellent eyesight and hearing, and will alert the herd and their owners with a few short shrill alarm sounds warning of perceived danger. Our Maremma livestock guardian dogs are tuned into the alpaca alarm call, they fly to attention when they hear it.  Alpacas rarely spit at people unless frightened or abused.  They will blow air and occasionally spit at each other.  Usually over food.

Are they registered?

Yes.  CLRC in Canada and ARI in USA.  About 4500 alpacas in Canada are dual registered (2003), registered in both the CLRC and ARI.  The remaining Alpacas are single registered in CLRC only.  This is the result of at least one large importation of animals not being screened in time to be ARI registered before the ARI registry was closed.   In order to be registered, both parents must also be registered in the given registry.  Alpacas are micro-chipped and dna sampled when registered.

Being originally from rural New Brunswick, we grew-up on farms and are well versed in the hard work that goes into them - but of course that was cattle.  Would you think there's any noticeable difference in the work required?  I ask not because I'm not partial to working but rather because, as I understand it, they eat less (less haying) they don't enjoy the chaos of an attempted escape like cows seem to (less fencing?)  And the common dung pile  - well, I don't suppose that decreases the work but it sure is s nifty trait! 

Keeping alpacas is way less work than any other livestock we have seen.  They do not eat much so you don't have to store a lot of feed, and they don't produce much manure so you spend little time cleaning up after them.  Many people have remarked about how amazing it is that we have so many alpacas living on our farm and they do not smell any odors when they visit.

 OK, the true revenue at this time is in the sale of the alpacas.  Is there a "best way" to start?  How many would you recommend to start with  and at what age?

It all depends on your budget, how big you envision to become, and how fast you want to break even on your initial investment.  The best way to start is purchasing bred females or yearlings that can be bred the year you purchased them.  Regarding age, older animals generally would sell cheaper.   That's a good way to get high end quality animals.  You need a high quality female to produce a stud.  Generally speaking, the best fiber quality is found in the Peruvians: Density, fineness, and crimp.  However, color and conformation  (health) is strong in the Chileans.  There are always exception to the rules.  You can find  high quality in Chileans and you can find mediocre quality in Peruvians.  In between you find Bolivians animals where all the characteristics are seen: some qualities, color, etc.  We chose a combination of the two, Peruvians and Chileans.  You usually have a remarkable improvement in one generation when you breed a Chilean female to a Peruvian stud.  More selective breeding was done in Peru so that is why they tend to be the best animals.  Because of market demands for white fiber that could be dyed, white became the predominate color for Peruvian alpacas.  But now there is large demand for all natural colors.