Habitat Feeding CareBreedingGestation & BirthFibre| Alpacas in brief |
| DescriptionHabitat Feeding CareBreedingGestation & BirthFibre |
| Description |
| Alpacas are ruminants from the camelid family. This family includes small domestic camelids (alpacas and llamas), small wild camelids (guanacos and vicunas) and large camelids (dromedaries and camels). Alpacas are originally from the Andean Cordillera, a cold, arid mountain range in South America. This is why they are so well suited to our long Quebec winters. In Canada, alpacas were first raised in Western Canada in the early 1990s. There are two types of alpacas, huacaya and suri. The huacaya breed is by far the most popular, known for its dense, abundant, wavy wool. The suri breed is rarer. Its wool is fine and somewhat twisted. |
) | Breeders produce alpacas as farm animals as well as pets. Alpacas are friendly, curious, intelligent, calm and gentle. They are not at all aggressive and can easily live with other animals. Their herd instinct is well developed. As such, they need to be with others of their kind. They are easily led, even by children. Once they reach adulthood, alpacas can measure between 30 and 39 inches (75 to 98 cm) and weigh between 90 and 175 lb (41 to 80 kg). Females usually weigh about 60 kilograms. Alpacas can live between 20 and 25 years. |
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| Habitat |
| Alpacas do not require much space. 1 acre of pasture is sufficient for 6 to 8 animals. Although alpacas are made to withstand the cold of the Andes, they need shelter from snowstorms and the summer heat. A simple barn or shelter is fine. Alpacas do not kick or bite, they only spit. As such, they cannot defend themselves. Alpaca owners must put up a fence to protect them from predators like coyotes and stray dogs. |
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| Cleaning their pasture is simple since alpacas always defecate in the same area. You can even teach an alpaca to defecate in a specific area or a litter box. The excrement consists of small balls like a rabbit’s. These can be used for compost. Alpacas do very little damage since their hooves are soft and they cut the grass they eat with their teeth rather than ripping it. They will also not strip the bark from trees. |
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| Feeding | ||
| Since alpacas are ruminants, they need ample fibre. This can be ensured by giving at least 50% of hay from the first cut. Alpacas need between 1.8% and 2.5% of their body weight in food and water each day. Grains or pellets and minerals can be added to their diet. Above all, alpacas enjoy fresh grass growing in the pasture. Unlike other ruminants (which have 4 stomachs), alpacas only have 3. | ) | |
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| Care |
| Hardy and resistant to illness, alpacas require very little care. They need only basic attention (anti-parasite treatments, shearing and annual vaccinations). It is a good idea to trim their hooves once or twice a year, depending on how quickly they grow. |
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| Breeding | ||
) | Males can start breeding at 2 years of age, but it is preferable to wait until they are 3 years old. Females reach sexual maturity at between 18 and 24 months. Although they can reproduce in their first year, it is preferable to wait until females reach maturity (between 18 and 24 months) before breeding them. The breeder decides when breeding should take place as ovulation in female alpacas occurs during the servicing. The female can be presented to the male again 15 to 20 days after giving birth. Servicing takes about 30 minutes. | |
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| Gestation and Birth |
| The gestation period lasts about 345 days. Female alpacas give birth while standing, always during the day, between 7:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. They generally have only one young. Twins are extremely rare. A baby alpaca is called a cria. Crias weigh between 14 and 20 lbs at birth and are weaned at about 6 months. |
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Newborn alpaca | First steps of a cria |
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| Fibre |
| Alpacas produce a high quality fibre that is warmer than wool, softer than cashmere and more resistant than mohair. One major advantage of alpaca wool is that, unlike wool taken from sheep, it does not contain lanolin, making it anti-allergenic and much softer. It is also exceptional as an insulating material due to the microscopic air pockets in its fibres. Alpaca wool comes in 22 natural colours, white, black and many shades of beige brown and grey. As such, it does not need to be dyed. It can be woven, knitted and matted. Alpaca wool is made into clothing, accessories (scarves, hats, socks, mittens, etc.) pillows, comforters, covers, carpets, toys and many other items. Upon shearing, the fibres can be 15 to 20 cm long and fleece can weigh between 2 and 3.5 kg. |
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