About Alpacas
Huacaya female "Suzi" in full fleece
Raising Alpaca for fiber production is one of the fastest growing livestock businesses in the country. They, along with the Llama and Vicuna belong to the camelid family. Alpacas are much smaller and more timid than the typical Llama and do not normally spit at people. They can spit when frightened and females will spit at a male if she is bred to let him know she is not interested. The first Alpacas were imported to the United States from Peru, Chili and Bolivia in the mid 1980's. Soon thereafter importation was restricted to insure industry stability in the USA. The ARI tracks registration and bloodlines of Alpacas. There are two types of Alpacas, the Suri and the Huacaya (wa ky a) with the difference being the type of fleece. They come in twenty officially recognized colors and their fiber can be dyed. The gestation period is 11 ~ 11 1/2 months at which time the cria (new born alpaca) is born. Unlike horses, sheep and cattle, Alpaca only require a small amout of land. Alpacas only eat 1.5 % of their body weight, are easy to handle and care for and are environmentally friendly. Raising Alpaca is not only enjoyable but a financially sound, sustainable business investment offering exceptional tax benefits. Don't have any land? Not a problem, many alpaca ranches agist (board) for a small fee. Alpacas require little or no training, are great with children and make excellent pets, 4H or County Fair projects. Alpaca fiber is in high demand due to the limited supply, its superior insulating and light weight hypo-allergenic properties and it's exquisite texture. The fiber is used in the high end fashion industry as well as for spinning, felting, crafts, and knitting. If you have never felt Alpaca fleece, you are missing one of the world's greatest natural wonders!
Suri Male 'Diego" in full fleece
Crias Pronking
Standing in line on Sheering Day
Alpaca Love
Sunday, January 20, 2013