About Alpacas

Alpacas, camelids of South America, once numbered near 50 million back in the 11th and 12th centuries. They were highly valued in the Incan civilization, their fiber worn by royalty. During the Spanish invasion in the 1500's, most of the alpacas were slaughtered with sheep and cattle introduced to the region. The remaining alpacas fled to the high mountain elevations of the Andes where they managed to survive in rather harsh conditions. Thankfully they did not become extinct.

Beginning in the 1980's the United States imported it's first alpacas utilizing a screening and selection process to procure the best possible genes for our future national herd. Now twenty years or so later, the U.S. no longer imports and The Alpaca Registry registered the 100,000th alpaca this past year! It is estimated there are around 4,000 farms nationwide.

There are two types of alpacas - the suri and the huacaya. The differences are in the fleece. Huacaya fleece is somewhat like sheep fleece in that it has like crimp but it does not have the greasy feel from lanolin. Huacaya's have coverage extending down the legs and typically have a rounded appearance when in full fleece. They are affectionately thought of as teddy bear like. There are many shades, about twenty two recognized colors from white to black, fawns, browns, silver and rose greys. Fiber artisans love the fiber and all of its natural colors. Commercially, the whites and light fawns are sought after as they are readily dyed.

Suri fleece is silky and has pencil like locks. It sways as the alpaca moves and hangs from a part right down the center of the animal. It also has a very long staple length which sometimes is so long that it must be cut prior to processing. The fleece is harvested once a year for both types of alpacas.

The fleece(s) can be processed at home or sent out to be commercially processed. Typically it seems the more that is done to a fleece the higher return on one's investment. The important thing is to do something with the fiber. It is okay to not be crafty and process the fiber yourself. What is not okay is to let it sit in basements, garages and back rooms! If you are not able to process the fiber yourself or if you are not able to send it out to be processed, either join the fiber coop (AFCNA) or at the least, give your fiber to someone who can and will use it.

Alpaca fiber has great thermal quality. Like wool it will wick moisture from your skin and insulates one from the cold. Very few people have an allergy to alpaca. Good alpaca fiber does not prick your skin like some wools and other natural fibers do. Through careful breeding decisions we are striving to eliminate guard hair and produce fiber that will rival cashmere.

Alpacas are functional ruminants having three stomachs. They chew cud and graze forage and grasses. When pastures are not abundant, hay is made available free choice along with grain and pellets supplementing their diet. Minerals are generally offered free choice as well. Fresh drinking water must be available for them at all times.

When fully grown, alpacas are typically around 36 inches at the withers (shoulders). Weights can run between 100 and 200 lbs. Most often they will weigh in at around 150 lbs.

The females are induced ovulators meaning that they can become pregnant at any time of year. It is most common to breed for spring or fall deliveries though to avoid the intense heat of the summer and bitter cold of the winter. Gestation is anywhere from eleven months to twelve months and generally only produces one cria each time. Twins are very rare. Births are very often unassisted. Because of their strong herd instincts, the mother and cria are kept within view of the rest of the herd. It is a heartwarming sight to see the herd welcome the new cria. Close to three weeks after delivery the dam will be rebred for the next years cria.

Alpacas do not need fancy barns. They are happy with three sided run-in type sheds. They are hearty animals often spending the night out under the stars... even in snow storms! We do need to be concerned with their comfort throughout the summer months and take measure to insure they are kept as cool as is possible. Fans are common place in barns and sheds in this area of the country. Ours love being sprayed on their bellies and legs with the garden hose. And yes, we also provide wading pools! With minimal water in them the alpacas generally use them as foot baths but if they do kush only their belly will get wet... Shade is essential. We have overhangs off the barn to add as much shade as possible.

Fencing is very important. Alpacas do not challenge fences. Dogs do. In spite of the fact that leash laws are in place just about everywhere it is the neighborhood dogs who present danger to the alpacas. Of course coyotes, mountain lions and other wildlife must be kept out. A very popular fence is the five foot woven no climb. Some prefer electric fence. Alpaca owners love to talk so be sure to ask opinions when you are ready to build your farm!

About Alpacas

~ Alpacas of Nottingham Hollow ~