ABOUT ALPACAS
Alpacas were originally a highly valued animal of the ancient Incan civilization. They were an essential component in the provision of food and clothing, fleece and leather, for the Incas over thousands of years and were found in various regions in South America.
Alpacas are a member of the family that is collectively known as South American camelids.
Their life span is approx 15 yrs +
Alpacas have three stomachs rather than four in classical ruminants. In Australia, pastures appropriate for sheep are suitable. Oaten, Lucerne and meadow hay are good supplements.
Female alpacas have no fixed breeding season. Receptive females can be mated at any time of the year. Their gestation is on average 11.5 mths, newborns are called cria.
There are two distinct alpaca breeds. Although they share a great many features, the key difference between them is observed in their fleece characteristics.
The Huacaya is distinguishable from the suri breed in that it carries “sheep like” fleece which stands at right angles to the body. Huacaya fleece exhibits crimp across each fibre and has obvious staple definition. The crimp varies in animals depending on age. Alpacas should be well covered with a rounded appearance and the coverage should extend down the legs and up to a bonnet on the head with a clean muzzle and ears.
The colours of alpaca fleece are in varying shades from white to black, in between there are shades of fawn, brown and grey as well as rose grey. Animals can be solid in colour or be a combination of the above colours. Australia currently recognizes twelve different colours.
The Suri carries a silk, soft handling, dense, locking fleece that moves freely, yet hugs the body giving the animal a flat sided appearance. The fleece hangs with well defined, independent locks forming close to the skin and twisting uniformly to the ends. The overall effect is similar to the drape of a curtain of silk tassles.
The primary characteristics which distinguish a suri fleece are its lock structure, high luster, silky handle and long staple length.
Alpacas require fencing similar to that needed for sheep. They are not prone to forcing or jumping fences and barbed wire is unnecessary and not recommended.
Most mature alpacas will effectively deter foxes and small stray dogs but alpacas cannot always match marauding dogs.
A yard or pen with gates is usually recommended for overall handling, such as animal husbandry or for shearing time. If this area is used for supplementary feeding, when the need arises alpacas will enter more willingly which makes it considerably easier to manage.
The most essential shelter required is trees and bushes that can provide shade in summer and protection from cold rains and wind in the winter. Shelter is very important, particularly for cria, birthing females and newly shorn animals.
Fresh drinking water must be available at all times, even when penned in a holding area. Alpacas can drink up to 4 litres of water a day.
Alpacas are very hardy and are very low maintenance livestock. They are generally docile, with a very strong herd instinct, and should not be run as individuals in isolation. Curiosity and intelligence are also prominent traits of the alpaca.
Their fleece is very soft to handle and high quality fleece is always in demand from the fashion industry.
The fleece has excellent thermal properties. Alpacas are very environmentally friendly as they have soft padded feet which minimizes damage to soils, they tend not to ring bark trees, and they require minimal chemical inputs such as drenching and dipping. The processing of their fleece requires fewer chemicals than other natural fibres.
Alpacas can adapt to a wide range of conditions and climates, they do not suffer from bloat and are easily halter trained and mustered. They have a communal dung pile and have a habit of not grazing close by which helps reduce levels of internal parasites.
They travel well in a float or a van sitting in the “kush” position.
Alpacas can be used as herd protectors for sheep, goats, poultry and pigs Males not chosen to be sires for breeding are castrated at around 8-18 mths of age.
Shearing should be done once a year, preferably in spring before seed set and after the coldest weather has passed. Most shearing contractors are competent to shear alpacas. Some of these shear on tables, some on the floor, but all restrain the animal in order to reduce injury and stress to both the animal and the handlers.
