DARLING  ALPACAS

WHAT IS AN ALPACA?

The alpaca is a member of the camel family and originates from the Andes Mountains in South America. It is very similar to its "cousin", the llama, except for size and use. Where the llama is used for packing and cart-pulling, the alpaca is bred specifically for its warm, soft wool. The llama is of course much larger than the little alpaca, who usually stands around 3 feet tall and weighs around 160 pounds.

WHAT DO ALPACAS EAT?

The alpaca's diet consists of grains, grass, and hay, very much like other livestock. There are many pelleted forms of "Alpaca and LLama Feed" available in almost all feed stores. These pelleted formulas will help to maintain a healthy balanced diet for the alpaca. And as with all other animals, alpacas need a source of fresh water and salt/mineral supplements offered free choice.

DO ALPACAS MAKE GOOD PETS?

Yes, alpacas can make wonderful pets since they are easy to maintain and pleasant to be around. Though they are very timid, they are extremely smart and can be easily trained to compete in obstacle classes at alpaca shows. They can be very successful and rewarding 4-H projects, or you can keep a couple of alpacas as your own sweet companions. Handspinners love alpacas, too ! The list goes on and on!

But, PLEASE remember that these precious alpacas depend on us!  The alpaca cannot defend itself from dogs and other predators, so the fencing you use must take their protection into consideration! A good 2x4 woven wire is excellent for alpacas.

We also need to remember that the alpaca and llama can sometimes have problems with parasites from the white tail deer if your pastures are in deer territory. These alpacas will need a routine de-worming program to protect them.

Adequate shelter should be available to protect the alpaca from severe weather. And last, but certainly not least, SHEARING on an annual basis is extremely important. As their wool is very dense and warm, the hot summer heat can bring on heat stress and/or death to an un-shorn alpaca!

WHAT DO YOU DO WITH THE WOOL?

Alpaca wool has been a treasured amenity for over 5,000 years. Since the wool is so soft and luxurious, the ancient Inca Indians reserved the alpaca wool for only the royal families of the tribe.

Now in the 21st Century , the alpaca wool is still a desired wool, as it is extremely soft and can be worn next to the skin. It is also hypo-allergenic!

Once you have either hired a professional shearer or done the annual shearing yourself, the beautiful wool can be further processed by sending it to a local fiber mill for spinning into a nice yarn. 

The wool coming from the legs and neck area are usually not quite as valuable since the uneven lengths of fiber can cause prickly yarn. These fibers are great for wooly projects such as wet felting hats, etc., or for creating wonderful needle-felted art projects. 

 Whatever use you find for your alpaca wool you are only limited by your imagination! You can learn to spin, knit, crochet, felt, or even stuff you favorite quilt tops with alpaca batts.

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