About Alpacas

Alpacas were domesticated by the Incas over 5000 years ago and are among the most ancient of the world’s domestic animals. Their natural habitat is the high altitude regions of the Antiplano, or Andes Mountains, in southern Peru, Bolivia and Chile. The alpaca’s ‘cashmere-like’ fleece was reserved only to make clothing for the imperial families of the Incas.

Alpacas in North America:
The alpaca was first imported into the United States in the early 1980s. They are members of the Camelid family, and are cousins to the camel, llama, vicuna and guanaco. Most alpaca herds are very small, housing less than 20 animals. These hardy animals are very adaptive to different climates and can be found on small acreage farms from Alaska to Hawaii.

Physical Facts:
Life Span: 20 - 25 years
Adult Height: 32 – 36 inches at the withers (shoulder)
Birth Weight: 10 – 20 pounds
Adult Weight: 100 - 190 pounds

General Information:
There are two types of alpacas: the Huacaya (wah-KAI-ya) and the Suri(Sir-ee). The difference is in the type of fiber they produce.

Huacaya’s fiber is dense and crimpy, which creates a very soft, yet strong and warm product; while Suri fleece is grown in long ringlets and feels very silky and lustrous. Huacaya and Suri are both shorn once a year, yielding 5 – 10 pounds of exquisite fiber.

Alpacas have padded feet with two toes making them very easy on the pastures. They only have bottom teeth and an upper dental pad, so they do not pull out the pasture grasses while grazing. They are very gentle on the land.

A breeding male is called a macho. The males usually begin breeding about 2 to 2.5 years old.

A breeding-age female is called a hembra. Females can begin to breed around 18 months of age, or 110 pounds. It is recommended for a female to have reached approximately 90% of it’s own adult size before they begin supporting a pregnancy. Females are “induced ovulators” and are ready to breed at any time of the year. The female will ovulate in response to mating and will then spit off an advancing male if she is pregnant. The gestation period is approximately 335 – 345 days (11.5 months). Most births occur during daylight hours and require no human assistance. Shortly after birth the mother will hum to her cria to stimulate standing and nursing. Dams are very devoted and protective mothers until weaning at 6 to 6.5 months.

Babies, both male and female, are called cria until about 5 months of age.

Alpaca breeders breed for good health, reproductive soundness, strong conformation (bone & muscle), calm temperament and outstanding fiber quality. It is both an art and a science and there is still much to learn. As the industry matures, some facets of breeding are becoming more predictable. However, the cria’s color is often a surprise and delight to both the experienced and inexperienced alpaca breeder alike.

Behavior:
Alpacas are very social and intelligent creatures. They do spit, but primarily at each other and then, over food. A female will spit off a male, refusing his advances if she is pregnant. They tend to be docile and easy-going and get along very well with children. Young alpacas are easily halter trained and are very receptive to socialization.

Alpacas have a highly developed flight reflex. They do not have any form of self-defense, except to run. They will also kick, but only when they feel threatened. They are very gentle to their human caretakers and are easy to handle when socialized.

Alpacas communicate with a soft hum. Another common vocalization is clucking, both for teasing a breeding male and talking with their cria. They also communicate with their body language, such as posturing (arching neck & tail) and ear positioning. They have excellent eye site and hearing and will alert the herd with a loud alarm call of perceived danger.

Care:
They require regular worming and vaccinations, and an occasional trimming of their nails and teeth. The herd management tasks can be accomplished during their annual shearing. Because alpacas are herd animals, they need to be with other alpacas in order to be happy and feel secure.

Feed:
Alpacas are a ruminant and as such, are very efficient in converting pasture grass and good quality hay into energy, eating significantly less than most other livestock animals. Supplemental vitamins and minerals are provided when required. They also need a constant source of clean water. An acre of pasture can support 5 to 6 alpacas, making them ideal for small acreage farms.

Shelter & Fencing:
They are most content when they are outside, however, a shelter for protection from extreme heat or cold should be provided. Mesh fencing is usually used, primarily to keep predators out, not the alpacas in. Sadly, neighborhood dogs are their greatest threat.

Manure:
Conveniently, alpacas deposit their pellet-like manure in a few common piles, allowing for easy clean-up and natural protection against the spread of parasites. This low-nitrogen fertilize is a must for the garden.

Shearing:
Shearing is generally done once a year. It is very important to their overall health to have them shorn before the hot weather sets in. It is very important keep your animals healthy and safe during shearing and to remove the maximum amount of useable fiber from each alpaca. You may learn to shear your alpacas yourself, or you may choose to hire a professional shearer.

Transporting:
Alpacas travel very well. Upon sensing motion, they usually cush (sit down) and enjoy the ride. Lots of farms use horse trailers or utility trailers. But an easy alternative is a mini-van! There are also commercial alpaca transporters available.

Fiber:
The primary function of the alpaca is fiber production. It is the combination of softness, tensile strength and wide variety of colors that set alpaca apart from other luxury fibers. There are 22 recognized ‘natural’ colors of alpaca fiber, including black, silver-gray, brown, fawn, rose-gray, red, apricot and white. Approximately 95% of the worldwide alpaca population is white and is used in the commercial end of the industry. The rarity of colored alpacas contributes to their value and is highly sought after by fiber artists and the cottage industry (spinners, weavers, knitters, etc.). Products created from the alpaca fiber are comfortable to wear because of the lack of “prickle”, due to the absence of guard hair. Garments made of alpaca are extremely lightweight, yet very warm.

Alpaca fleeces tend to yield a higher percentage of clean fiber compared to other fiber producers. Alpaca is lanolin-free allowing it to be non-allergenic, and making cleaning and processing very simple and enjoyable. Alpaca fiber can be spun directly from the animal while sheep’s wool requires a hot-water treatment to remove lanolin prior to spinning.

Several alpaca Fiber Coops have been established to pool sheared alpaca fiber for commercial processing. Alpaca fiber can also be sold to local hand spinners, knitters and weavers. Fleece prices vary with the color and quality, but generally fleece sells for $2 to $7 per ounce while processed fiber (yarn/roving) can sell for $3 to $9 per ounce.

Choosing an Alpaca:
Bloodlines refer to the genetic background of the alpacas. Many bloodlines are ‘proven’, which means they have reproduced the exceptional fleece characteristics and conformation in their offspring. Placing primary importance on the animal’s progeny, breeding history, fiber characteristics and overall health, is a solid base for selecting the alpaca that best meets your needs.

Cost:
There is an alpaca for every level of ownership. Your first decision will be to pinpoint what area of the industry you are interested in working.

Fiber quality alpacas sell for between $100 and $1000, making them equivalent in price to purebred dogs.

A proven, high-quality female, in the prime of her cria-bearing years, will be valued between $12,500 and $27,500. However, some excellent females have sold for quite a bit more.

Elder and unproven females, can be obtained for as little as $8000 to $10,000.

Potential breeding-quality males sell for $2500 on up, with exceptional quality males being valued between $10,000 and $20,000.

Proven, superior studs, will sell for $80,000 and more.

Investment:
The developing market for alpacas in North America has been slow due to the scarcity of supply. The tremendous worldwide demand for these charming animals and their fiber warrant their present value. Alpaca prices vary according to sex, conformation and fiber quality. The potential profit and tax advantages available to alpaca breeders are important, as is the lifestyle that raising these curious creatures brings to the whole family.

The cost of each alpaca can be depreciated against personal income over a 5 to 20 year period
Alpacas can be depreciated over a 2 to 10 year period, without loss of value
The sale of breeding stock and their offspring can provide capital gains benefits
The investment grows annually and taxes are not paid until offspring are sold
Due to the slow reproductive rate and the high demand for these beautiful animals, it is not uncommon for an offspring to sell for more than an investor paid for the dam
All expenses pertaining to their care are deductible
Alpacas are 100% insurable against loss
Alpacas can be financed
Alpacas can be placed in the care of established breeders for those who choose a part-time ‘passive’ approach to owning rather than the full-time, hands-on role

No other farm animal can equal the alpaca in offering sound investment returns from easily managed, fully insurable animals on a small acreage. The North American alpaca industry will remain focused on breeding stock for many years due to the slow reproductive rate, import restrictions and current demand. The demand for alpaca fiber is so great among fashion designers and textile mills that it will be a long time yet before we are able to satisfy that market.

The financial returns of owning a small herd of alpacas are generous. Alpacas can provide a satisfying addition to one’s investment portfolio with the added benefit of encouraging a healthy lifestyle. It’s easy to see that alpacas are a stress-free investment you can hug.

There is much more information available regarding every aspect of the alpaca industry. Please schedule a visit and we will answer any questions you may have. Thank you for visitng Alpacas of Wintercreek.

	Rebecca Venn Auburn, WA 253.351.6581
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