Alpaca Facts
Are Alpacas related to Llamas?
Alpacas are very closely related to llamas. They are both from a group of four species known as South American Camelids. The llama is approximately twice the size of an Alpaca with banana shaped ears and is principally used as a pack animal. Alpacas are exclusively bred as fleece animals in Australia.
What do Alpacas eat?
Alpacas are principally grazers but sometimes they enjoy casual browsing. They are fastidious food selectors that are highly adapted to eat small amounts of a variety of plants.
Although they can survive very harsh conditions, Alpacas do best on good quality pasture and benefit from having access to plant material with long fibres: eg. hay. Dry feeding of lucerne chaff, lucerne hay oaten chaff or other blends are appropriate.
One important rule to remember is to introduce any changes to the diet gradually, over a period of a couple of weeks. This way, the microbes in the gut have time to adjust to any feed changes.
Some gardens contain a number of plants that are toxic to most livestock (oleander, rhododendron, laburnum etc.). Care should be taken when fencing off gardens that such plants do not overhang into Alpaca areas. Likewise, there is a long history of calamities with other livestock that have inadvertently been fed prunings from such plants. Local nurseries can provide good advice on poisonous plants.
Although some people think Alpacas don't drink huge amounts, they do need to have ready access to good quality, fresh drinking water.
Do they make good pets?
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Most Alpacas make very good pets if they are treated well and the owners are realistic in their expectations. Like any livestock, the more handling they receive as youngsters, the quieter they are as adults. Given time, most Alpacas will eat out of your hand and training them to lead by a halter is a straightforward process. |
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Although Alpacas look cuddly they generally don't like being held, and are particularly sensitive to being touched on the head.
Alpacas are naturally curious and intelligent and if you let them approach you, rather than rush at them and expect an affectionate response, the interactions can be very rewarding.
The best thing to remember is that they are Alpacas, and not dogs or cats and should be allowed to be Alpacas.
Alpacas spit don't they?
Spitting is perhaps the least endearing feature of Alpacas. It is one of the few defense mechanisms an Alpaca has and it is quite an effective deterrent.
The material is basically regurgitated or recently chewed grass and it brushes off when dry. I does have a distinctive and somewhat offensive odour and it is best to avoid being a target.
However, it is quite rare that Alpacas spit at people. It is normally used as a pecking order mechanism with other Alpacas. If a human hit occurs, it is usually because the person has not read the signs properly when stepping between two squabbling Alpacas.
Do Alpacas kick and bite?
When interacting with humans, kicking and biting is highly individualistic. Alpacas are usually sensitive around the hind legs and will instinctively kick backwards if they sense a threat from the rear.
Most Alpacas do not kick at humans but there are individuals that can be quickly identified as being prone to kicking. This is more evident in a pregnant female that wants to deter the advances of an amorous male.
Fortunately, because the foot is a soft pad, injuries to humans are minimal. Most Alpacas respond very well to desensitisation of the hind legs if they receive good handling as youngsters.
How many do I need?
Can I just have one Alpaca or do I need to have lots?
Alpacas are herd animals and are instinctively gregarious,
as are the other domestic livestock. They obtain security and contentment
from having at least one other Alpaca for company.
For this reason, it is usually recommended that two Alpacas are the desirable minimum. Sometimes if a single pregnant female is bought for breeding, a wether can go with her for company.
Breeding Alpacas
At what age do Alpacas start breeding?
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Females become sexually mature at around 12 to 18 months of age and once they reach 45-50kg in weight. Males can display sexual interest from a few weeks of age but are not sexually active or fertile until 18 months to 3 years of age. (There will be individuals that fall outside this age range.) Alpacas do not have a breeding season and, providing they are receptive, females can be mated at any time of the year. Like rabbits and cats, female Alpacas are 'induced ovulators' which means it is the act of mating that causes them to ovulate. Alpacas mate in the 'cush' (prone) position and if a female in not receptive (e.g. already pregnant) she will refuse to sit down and probably spit at the male. This rejection response, known as a 'spit-off', is used in the management of the female to regularly monitor the progress of her pregnancy. Pregnancy testing can be followed up with an ultrasound between 30 - 60 days suspected gestation. |
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How long is the gestation?
The average gestation period is 11½ months, but pregnancies that go for over a year are not uncommon.
Births are generally trouble-free and most occur before the middle of the day.
Cria should be 6-8kg at birth and most will be on their feet and drinking with 2 hours. The mothers are often very protective and the Cria will stay with its mum until weaning at 5 to 6 months of age.
Females are usually re-mated 3 to 6 weeks after giving birth.
Do Alpacas ever have twins?
Twinning in Alpacas is extremely rare (approximately 0.0001% of births) and should not form any part of a breeding plan. This is why ultrasound scans are important in detecting twins.
Do they stay the same colour that they are born?
Alpacas do stay the same colour they are born. However, some Alpacas that are born black can develop dark brown tips as the fleece grows out. Also animals that are thought to be white at birth might prove to be light fawn later on.
These minor variations probably have more to do with the accuracy of the initial assessment rather than an actual change in colour with age.
Alpaca Farming Questions
How many Alpacas can I run on my property?
That will depend on what sort of pasture and how much pasture your land is capable of producing. Different climatic regions and different soil types vary widely in their carrying capacity.
A standard unit of carrying capacity is the Dry Sheep Equivalent per hectare (DSE). For example, in areas of good soil and high rainfall your property might sustain 10 DSE/ha, compared with dryland areas that might be 1.5DSE/ha.
The DSE for your property can be determined by speaking to an agricultural consultant, or perhaps your neighbour if they are experienced farmers.
As a general rule, one Alpaca wether is equivalent to one DSE. If you are prepared to supplementary feed with extra hay, you may be able to increase your stocking rate. A pregnant Alpaca is approximately 1.5 DSE and a lactating pregnant Alpaca is about 2 DSE.
What sort of fencing do Alpacas need?
Fencing is a 6 plain wire, 1200mm high. Any fencing that keeps sheep contained is satisfactory, preferably without barbed wire. Alpacas do not tend to jump fences but are quite capable of clearing a standard fence if sufficiently stressed. The bottom wire is 7.5cm off the ground.
If you live in an area known to have problem dogs it can be worthwhile to increase the height of perimeter fencing.
Apart from boundary fences, the most important structure is a small yard or pen to catch the Alpacas. Some Alpacas will allow themselves to be caught in an open paddock, but even the friendliest ones tend to step just out of reach when you most need to catch them (eg. shearing time).
The yard need not be elaborate, and often the easiest and cheapest one to construct is to place two 3 metre gates at right angles to each other inside the corner of the paddock. If the Alpacas get used to being fed in this area it also makes it very easy to catch them.
How do you transport Alpacas?
Alpacas travel very well in a van, covered trailer or horse float. Most Alpacas will sit during the journey and travel best in the company of another Alpaca.
Clean hay on the floor of the vehicle helps to absorb jarring on rough roads.
Can I run Alpacas with other livestock?
Alpacas can bond well with other types of animals. Naturally, Alpacas and large aggressive dogs are not a good combination, but there are many cases of quiet dogs mixing well with Alpacas.
Alpacas have been very successfully run with sheep and goats to act as fox guards. The Alpacas bond with the foster herd and they are naturally aggressive towards foxes and dogs.
If running with different livestock, Alpacas will pick up the internal parasites associated with the other animals and should be put on the same drenching regime.
Because of the risk of the Alpacas being kicked, caution should be used if running them with cattle or horses.
Alpacas as Herd Protectors
Alpacas are recognised as reliable herd protectors against foxes and wild dogs. They protect flocks of sheep, goats and poultry. The results of protection increase lambing and kidding rates to substantial levels. Often unrealised until after Alpacas are introduced to the herds. The correct ratio of Alpaca to ewes is based on the contour and layout of paddocks. Flat paddocks require 2 Alpacas to 300 ewes. Alpacas must be 18 months plus to be effective in protection. They must be castrated. Wethers must have experience in protection, which they learn from being run with older experienced males - see attached article.
What sort of diseases do Alpacas get?
Compared with other livestock, Alpacas are relatively disease free. Because of their dry fleece and naturally clean breech, fly strike is not an issue with Alpacas. They do not require mulesing or crutching.
They are vaccinated twice yearly with the same "5 in 1" vaccine used for sheep and goats to protect against tetanus, pulpy kidney, black leg, black disease and malignant oedema.
Likewise, Alpaca owners need to be aware if their animals are in a 'sporidesmin' area. Sporidesmin is a toxin in a fungus that causes facial eczema, which could be fatal. However, it is confined to specific geographic locations and is easily managed by not allowing animals to graze on affected pastures during warm and humid weather.
In the past 10 years, there have been a handful of cases of Bovine Johne's Disease (JD). Many breeders are taking part in the National JD M.A.P. (Market Assurance Program) which will provide assurance of their animals' health status.
Restrictions of animal movements may apply, particularly between some states.
When buying Alpacas for breeding purposes it is advisable to arrange a veterinary check to ensure you are buying a healthy animal.
Shearing Alpacas
How often do you shear Alpacas?
Alpacas are shorn once a year, usually in spring to summer. Shearing is the biggest maintenance required and usually takes around five to ten minutes per animal for an experienced Alpaca shearer.
If you are purchasing your first Alpacas, we recommend a shearer in your district, or ask if you can bring the Alpacas back to the property on our shearing day.
Most AAA regions hold regular workshops and demonstrations on shearing Alpacas.
A very small percentage of Alpacas are shorn standing up, but the preferred method of shearing is to lie the animals on their side and restrain their legs with a tether at each end. This protects both the shearer and the Alpaca from being accidentally cut. One side of the animal is shorn and it is then rolled over and shorn on the other side.
Depending on the density of the fleece, Alpacas cut anywhere between 1½ and 4 kg of fleece. Some of the high quality stud males will cut higher weights.
What do you do with the fleece?
Alpaca fibre is highly prized for its very soft feel (handle), its high thermal properties, its durability and its variety of natural colours.
It is processed into high quality fashion garments such as suits, jackets, skirts and coats. Jumpers knitted from Alpaca fleece are soft, light and warm. Because of its natural warmth, it is also used as a continental quilt filling. Coarser fibre can be used to make car seat covers or carpet.
The international market for Alpaca product is enormous with demand always exceeding supply.
There are two commercial options for raw Alpaca fleece in Australia. The Alpaca Co-operative and local spinners. The Alpaca Co-operative sells some fibre to overseas markets and also produces a wide range of Alpaca garments and yarns.
The Alpaca Co-op is made up of shareholders that are mostly Alpaca breeders. The Co-op classes fibre and gives returns to growers as either direct payment or extra shares.
A few Alpaca owners prefer to home spin their fibre. Commercial prices depend on quality with a premium paid for finer micron fibre - up to $45 per kilogram. Sales to home spinners can be considerably higher.
Costs:
They're really expensive aren't they?
At this stage of the industry's development, price is directly related to the individual breeding potential, and the potential quality of the offspring.
For example, a wether (castrated male) has no breeding potential and is therefore the cheapest Alpaca to buy (around $400-500 of sound quality). On the other hand, a high quality male with many good progeny on the ground has a very high breeding potential and can be worth many thousands of dollars. He can also command a high income from the stud services he provides.
Female prices are a reflection of quality, age, breeding history and to which stud male she is mated. Females can be worth anything from $2,000 - $30,000.
Income from females is derived from selling the offspring. However, breeding plans should be made so that long term depreciation of the older breeders and increases in quality of offspring are taken into account.
Although the average gestation is eleven and a half months, a projection of three offspring in four years per mature female is more realistic than expectations of one offspring every year.