Alpaca Facts
About Alpacas
- Alpacas are members of the camelid (or camel) family and cousin to the llama. They are mild-tempered, gregarious animals with an inquisitive nature and a penchant for bringing great delight to their owners.
- There are two different breed-types: the huacaya (wah-KI’-ya) and suri (surrey). Although both types of alpacas are physiologically nearly identical, one main physical difference is clearly identifiable: the fleece. Huacaya fleece has a degree of waviness, or crimp, thus giving huacayas a fluffy appearance. Suris have no crimp in their fleeces, so their fiber clings to itself forming beautiful “pencil locks” that hang down from the body in gentle, silky cascades.
- Indigenous to South America, the alpaca is raised for it's soft fleece. This fleece is sheared once a year, yielding roughly five to ten pounds. After only minimal preparation, it is ready to be spun into yarn (for knitting, crocheting, and weaving) or used to make felt (for creating hats, cloth, or moccasins).
- Alpacas were first imported into the United States in 1984. Since then, the alpaca industry has grown steadily, according to the Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association (AOBA), the backbone of the alpaca industry. Current estimates total over 140,000 registered alpacas with the Alpaca Registry, Inc. (ARI) within the United States and more than 4,000 AOBA members in North America.
- Alpacas stand approximately 36 inches tall at the withers (the area where the neck and spine come together) and weigh 100 to 200 pounds.
- They require only modest amounts of food (approximately 1 ½ to 2% of their body weight in hay per day), plus free access to fresh water and free-choice minerals. Some owners also supplement their animals’ diets with additional grains and crumbles, based on specific nutritional needs and preferences.
- Alpacas are shorn, without harm, every twelve to eighteen months. They produce five to ten pounds of luxurious fiber. Because of the soft texture, alpaca fiber is sometimes compared to cashmere. Alpaca is just as warm as wool, yet 1/3 the weight. It comes in 22 natural colors, yet can be dyed any desired shade. Containing no lanolin, alpaca fiber is also naturally hypoallergenic. Additional performance characteristics include stretch, water repellency, and odor reduction. For travelers, clothing made from alpaca is desirable because it is wrinkle-resistant.
Commonly-Asked Questions
Business
Who raises alpacas?
Alpaca owners and breeders come from all walks of life. Many are doctors, financial advisors, educators, or cattle farmers to name a few. Some raise alpacas as a full-time business, others commit part-time. From young families to empty-nesters, phased retirement to full-retirement, raising alpacas offer countless options for everyone.
How much do alpacas cost?
The price of an alpaca will depend on its quality (especially conformation and fleece qualities); its bloodlines; positive traits proven to be heritable in its offspring; whether it is a male or female; age; breeding history; and a host of other traits and factors. We recommend talking to a variety of breeders before making a purchase decision. Also, please be sure and consult with your tax advisor about the effects of alpaca purchases on you specific tax situation. For most breeders, the purchase of alpaca breeding stock offers many favorable tax advantages, as well as, the potential for significant income generation.
Fiber
How many ounces of fiber will one alpaca produce?
An adult alpace might produce 50 to 90 ounces of first-quality fiber as well as 50 to 100 ounces of second and third quality fiber. Some alpacas already achieve, or exceed these levels.
Who buys the fiber?
Alpaca fiber is sold several ways. Hand-spinners and fiber artists buy raw fleece. Knitters often purchase alpaca yarn. Fiber Cooperative Mills collect alpaca fiber and process it on behalf of the producer.
What is an ounce of fiber worth?
This varies. In its raw state, an ounce of alpaca varies from $3.00 - $5.00. Each stage of the process (cleaning, carding, spinning, knitting, finishing, etc.) adds more value to the fiber. Rovings sell for $5.00 -$7.00 per oz. Alpaca yarn sells for $7.00-$10.00 per oz. This all depends on the quality of the fleece.
The Animal
Are alpacas easy to work with?
Yes, alpacas are very intelligent animals that respond to a variety of training and handling techniques. They learn to halter and lead in just a few training sessions, and even children find most alpacas to be safe and easy to handle.
Are there organized exhibitions and competitions for alpacas?
Yes, there are many alpaca shows (both show ring and fleece-judging competitions) held throughout North America where owners can showcase their animals and fleeces.
Is it OK to have just one alpaca?
As a general rule, the answer is no. Alpacas have very strong herding instincts and need the companionship of other alpacas to thrive. Gender-appropriate (or neutered) llamas sometimes will successfully bond with an alpaca. Otherwise, it is best to provide each alpaca with a companion alpaca of the same gender.
Do I need a lot of land to raise alpacas?
No. The specific answer is quite variable, and is contingent on such factors as: type of terrain, amount of annual precipitation, seasonal factors, availability of pasture and/or hay, etc. For arid climates, animals are usually fed on “dry lot,” with little or no pasture feeding. In this instance, the number of animals that can be raised is generally between two or six per acre. In milder, wetter climates with abundant fresh pasture available, however, eight to ten alpacas per acre might be the norm.
I live in the city: would it be possible for me to own alpacas?
Absolutely, urban dwellers can board (or “agist”) their alpacas at nearby farms/ranches so that they can enjoy the benefits of ownership while living in a large city or suburb.
How do you transport an alpaca?
If traveling for short distances, they can be transported inside vans or other larger vehicles. Most of the time traveling, alpacas will “cush” (sit down) for the journey. Longer distances generally require transport in a livestock trailer.
Can you raise alpacas in a hot, humid climate?
The answer is generally yes. Alpacas have proven to be amazingly resilient animals. Alpacas are being raised successfully in Arizona, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida and also in Alaska and many Canadian provinces. In the hotter, more humid climates, the alpaca breeders do need to take health and safety precautions, like shearing fleeces early in the summer, providing plenty of fresh water and areas of shade and fans. On an extremely hot day the alpacas like their bellies sprayed with cool water.
What type of shelter and fencing do alpacas need?
This varies widely depending on such things as weather and predators. A general rule is the alpaca does need at least a three-sided, open shelter where they can escape inclement weather. And if predators are present in your neighborhood, then a minimum of four or five foot high 2 inch by 4 inch no-climb fencing is necessary to keep out the predators. Traditional horse fencing (4 inch by 4 inch openings) is not recommended, as curious alpacas might be physically harmed if they put their heads or legs through this type of fencing.