Anu Alpacas: FAQ

Alpacas were a cherished treasure of the ancient Incan civilization and played a central role in the Incan culture that was located on the high Andean Plateau and mountains of South America. Alpacas were first imported to the United States in 1984. Alpacas are now being successfully raised and enjoyed throughout North America and abroad. There are two types of alpacas - the Huacaya and the Suri.

The lifespan of the alpaca is about 20 years and gestation is 11.5 months. Alpacas eat grasses and chew a cud. Adult alpacas are about 36" tall at the withers and generally weigh between 100 and 200 pounds. They are gentle and easy to handle. Alpacas don't have incisors, horns, hooves or claws. Clean-up is easy since alpacas deposit droppings in only a few places in the paddock. They require minimal fencing and can be pastured at 5 to 10 per acre.

Alpacas produce one of the world's finest and most luxurious natural fibers. It is clipped from the animal without causing it injury. Soft as cashmere and warmer, lighter, stronger, and more hypoallergenic than wool, it comes in more colors than any other fiber producing animal (approximately 22 basic colors with many variations and blends).This cashmere-like fleece, once reserved for Incan royalty, is now enjoyed by spinners and weavers around the world.

Alpaca owners enjoy a strong and active national organization. The Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association (AOBA) with a growing number of Regional Affiliates and AOBA sanctioned national committees addressing every aspect of the industry.

The Alpaca Fiber Cooperative of North America (AFCNA) accepts fleece from its members, and turns the precious textile into quality alpaca garments and products. Members benefit from a ready outlet for their fiber, while the cooperative works to increase awareness of and demand for this every day luxury.

The Alpaca Registry has been established to help ensure accurate records and has a state-of the-art system to document bloodlines. Alpacas must be blood typed in order to be registered. Virtually every alpaca in the U.S. is registered.

How did you get into alpacas?
We were interested in an occupation that would allow us to spend most of our time together. We wanted to have our own business and started looking into our options. Initially we looked at llamas, but decided to go with a smaller, more manageable animal instead. So after doing some research, we bought our first three animals as a starter herd.

Why alpacas?
Alpacas are a relatively easy animal to care for (as compared to horses and cows). They require very little grazing land and a minimum of hands-on interaction. They are a gentle and mild mannered animal in genera. The main reason we chose alpacas over any other type of livestock, howeve, is that you can have a thriving business with not nearly as many animals in your herd (unlike cattle for instance).

What are they for?
In this country alpacas are raised exclusively for their fiber. The animals are shorn once a year and then the fiber is processed into various wool products such as clothing, bags, and teddy bears.

How long are they pregnant?
Alpacas are pregnant on average between 11 and 11.5 months! It seem like a very long time to us, but the mothers are barely aware of the baby for most of the time during which it is developing insider her. About 80% of the baby's development happens in the last 2 months of the pregnancy.

How long do you have to wait after they give birth to rebreed them?
Two weeks. Barring any problems with birth, or physical considerations for the mom, two weeks is when they should be rebred.

What do you do with their fleece?
The fleece is processed into wool (though it is much softer than sheep’s wool) which becomes clothing, rugs, and toys. It is an incredibly strong and durable fiber. Each fiber strand is on the animal is coated with a resin that protects the animal. This resin, though very difficult to detect after processing, still remains on the fiber, making alpaca garments far more water repellent than traditional sheep’s wool.

Do you show them?
Yes! It is one of our main occupations as breeders. We go to shows all over the country as a way to show the world what wonderful animals we have! For more information on upcoming shows we will be attending please click here.

How much do they cost?
Alpacas can cost anywhere from $2000 to about $40,000. A gelding male will on average cost around $1500. A bred female alpaca can cost anywhere from $10,000 to $20,000. The reason for the great price difference in females is based on fiber quality, age, color, and whether they are proven to have viable offspring. The most expensive alpacas are males that become herdsires.

Can I buy just one?
Of course you can buy just one. . .provided you already have a couple of alpacas. Alpacas are herd animals and need to be with other alpacas. A solitary alpaca is a sad and unhealthy alpaca.

How much land do they need?
You can put up to 10 alpacas on one acre of good forage. You can also supplement pasture land with hay.

Where can I get more information?
The Alpaca Owner’s and Breeder’s Association is a great place to start. We would also be happy to answer any specific questions you might have for us, please feel free to contact us. We would be happy to give you a tour of the farm and introduce you to our amazing animals!

Is there more than one kind?
Yes! There are two different types of alpacas: huacaya, which is what Fabian is; and suri, which is what El Dorado is.

What do they eat?
Alpacas eat grass or forage. Most breeders that we know of also supplement with grain which has a blend of vitamins and minerals they don’t get from their forage. They also eat hay, which is a blend of orchard grasses with little to no alfalfa, and as little fescue as possible.

Are they friendly?
Yes and no. Alpacas would prefer not to be touched or handled, but once you catch one they are fairly docile. As babies they are more inquisitive about humans, but as they age, and especially when a female becomes pregnant, they are far less interested in humans and become very stand-offish. They are easy to handle and generally walk well on a halter. They are typically not aggressive. An alpaca’s natural inclination is to run away from you rather than come at you if you are making it unhappy. Speed is their greatest self defense.

Can you eat them?
Not in this country but in their countries of origin like Peru and Bolivia, they are sometimes eaten because they are so plentiful there.

How long do they live?
Around 18-20 years.

Do they bite?
Not really, they are more inclined to spit and they usually only spit at one another. We have been bitten and it doesn't really hurt since alpacas only have a lower set of teeth in the front. It was more that the alpaca thought I might have food than any real malice on his part!