What is so different about alpaca fibre?
It combines softness with strength. Alpaca product feels great next to the skin, yet it will have the durability of a coarser garment. It is warm, yet amazingly light. Alpaca fibre comes in a beautiful range of natural colours - white, silver, all shades of grey and fawn, chocolate brown and true jet black; and if you want to extend that range; alpaca fibre will dye beautifully.

Do alpacas need a lot of looking after?
Other than annual shearing and twice-yearly vaccinations, alpacas require very little else. An occasional trim of toenails and teeth may be required. Alpacas do not suffer from flystrike or footrot.

How do you shear an alpaca?
Electric sheep-shearing equipment is normally used, but because alpaca fibre is non-greasy, care needs to be taken that shears do not over-heat. (Blade shearing is also possible).

Does an alpaca birth mean a long, cold night?
No, because alpacas usually give birth during the day. Birthing is generally trouble free and very quick. Crias (alpaca neonates) usually stand and nurse within one hour.

Alpacas spit, don't they?
Yes, but not generally at people. Sometimes a female will spit at a male if she does not welcome his amorous attentions!

Do alpacas need expensive 'extras'?
Trees and bushes provide the best protection against extremes of heat and cold. Most alpacas will not voluntarily seek shelter in sheds. There is no need for special fencing as alpacas are generally content to stay in their own 'backyards'.

How big is the average alpaca herd?
In Australia, 80 % of alpacas are in herds of less than ten animals. Many owners are small breeders who want to be part of a young, new industry.

What kind of pasture do alpacas need?
Alpacas are pseudo-ruminants, and chew cud like a cow. They do well on low protein hay or pasture, provided it has a balanced mineral content. Supplementary feeding should be given in winter and to females in the later stages of pregnancy.

How do alpacas affect the land?
Alpacas do less damage than most other farm animals as they have pads, not hooves, so that degradation of the land is minimized. Alpacas tend to graze gently, allowing faster pasture regrowth. Their dung makes excellent fertilizer and it is conveniently dropped in areas where the animals avoid grazing.

Are alpacas difficult to manage?
No. They are quite at ease with people and quick to learn. They can be moved easily around a farm without the aid of a dog. They can be easily transported from place to place in anything from a horse-float to a small van.

Other Commonly Asked Questions

Alpacas...
...live 15 to 20 years
...grow to about 1 metre (at the shoulder).
...weigh up to 70 kg
...gestate for approximately 335 days
...give birth to young weighing usually 6 - 8 kg

Alpacas begin life as Crias
and grow into
...Tuis (Adolescents)
...Hembras (Adult Females)
...Machos (Adult Males)