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Why Alpacas?
A Few
Basic Facts
-
 Alpacas
are members of the camelid (or camel) family. They are mild-tempered,
gregarious
animals with an inquisitive nature and a penchant for bringing great
delight to their owners.
- Alpacas are not
eaten in North America, although they are consumed as food in
South America. They are raised exclusively for their soft and
luxurious fiber.
- There are two
different breed-types: the huacaya (wah-KI’-ya) and suri (“surrey”).
Although both types of alpacas are
physiologically nearly identical, one main physical difference is
clearly identifiable: the fleece. Huacaya fleece has a degree of
“waviness,” or “crimp,” thus giving huacayas a fluffy, “Teddy
Bear-like” appearance. Suris, on the other hand, have no crimp in
their fleeces, so their fiber clings to itself, forming beautiful
“pencil locks” that
hang down from the body in gentle, silky cascades.
- Indigenous to
South America, the alpaca is raised for its soft fleece. This fleece
is sheared once a year, yielding roughly five to ten pounds (~2¼ to 4½
kilos). After only minimal preparation, it is ready to be spun into
yarn (for knitting, crocheting, and weaving) or used to make felt (for
creating hats, cloth, or moccasins).
- Alpacas stand
approximately 36 inches (~1 metre) tall at the withers (the area where
the neck and spine come together) and weigh between 100 and 200 pounds
(~45 to 90 kilos).
- They require
only modest amounts of food (approximately 1 ½ to 2% of their body
weight in hay per day), plus free access to fresh water and
free-choice minerals. Some owners also supplement their animals’
diets with additional grains and crumbles, based on specific
nutritional needs and preferences.
- Food
acquisition and consumption are interesting in the alpaca. First of
all, the alpaca has teeth for eating only on the bottom, not on the
top. What’s on the top is a hard gum (dental pad), against which the
animals crush grain, grass, hay, etc. in a back-and-forth grinding
action. They have a split upper lip that facilitates the mechanics of
this back-and-forth motion. Further, they have short tongues that are
firmly attached to their jaw, so – unlike, say, goats and sheep with
longer tongues that sometimes grab hold of plants and rip them out of
the ground – these animals don’t do that Instead, they are pastoral
grazers that nibble grasses and other plants down to about the ¼ inch
level. Thus, there is far less disturbance of the vegetation than on
might see with most other forms of livestock.
- Believe it or
not, alpacas all defecate in the same spot. In a medium-sized field,
they will select three or four spots to claim as communal dung piles.
This makes for easy clean-up of the pastures, and better hygiene in
the herd.
- Alpacas are a
virtually odorless animal, so they don’t tend to attract as many flies
in the summertime as other forms of livestock.
- Alpaca
management is not complicated or difficult. Occasional deworming, and
roughly one to six inoculations per year to ward off infectious
diseases and parasites, occasional toenail trimming, and shearing of
the fleece once a year are the main components of caring for the
animals.
Commonly Asked Questions
 Are alpacas an
“exotic species”?
No, not at all. They are simply a form of domestic livestock that
has been managed by South
American
farmers for
thousands of years that is now being raised by farmers and ranchers in
North America,
Australia and New Zealand, Europe, and even Africa. They have a
readily-identifiable end product – namely, clothing and accessories that
consumers equate with luxury, glamour, and superior quality.
Combine this
with a well-defined marketing program that targets consumers of all
aspects of the alpaca industry, and you get a robust, booming industry
that is stable,
growing rapidly, and here to stay.
Are alpacas
dangerous?
Absolutely
not! They are safe and pleasant to be around. They do not bite or
butt, and do not have the horns, hooves, or claws that other types of
livestock typically have.
How do you transport
an alpaca?
If
traveling for short distances, they can be transported inside a
mini-van. The animals usually will “cush” (this is, sit down) for the
journey. Longer distances generally require transport in a horse
trailer.
Are alpacas easy to
work with?
Yes,
alpacas are very intelligent animals that respond to a variety of
training and handling techniques. They learn to halter and lead in just
a few training sessions, and even children find most alpacas to be safe
and easy to handle.
How much acreage does
it take to raise an alpaca?
Because
the animals require so little pasture and food, you can usually raise
from two to eight alpacas per acre, depending on terrain, rain/snowfall
amounts, availability of pasture, etc. They can also be raised on dry
lot and be fed grass hay, if desired. We can address your specific
situation and you may also consult with your local County Extension
Officer for specific local recommendations.
Are alpacas easy to
care for?
They are
small and relatively easy livestock to maintain. They stand about 36”
tall at the withers and weigh between 100-200 pounds. Alpacas establish
communal dung piles that are usually easy to manage. They need basic
shelter and protection from heat and foul weather, and being livestock,
they do require certain vaccinations and anti-parasitic medicines.
Additionally, their toenails need to be trimmed every couple of months
and the fleeces sheared off once a year. Speaking of toenails, these
animals do not have hooves – they have two toes, with hard toenails on
the top of their feet and a soft pad on the bottom of their feet, much
like a dog’s foot. Therefore, you don’t experience compaction of the
soil to the same degree that you would with other types of livestock.
Are there organized
exhibitions and competitions for alpacas?
Yes, there
are many alpaca shows (both show ring and fleece-judging competitions)
held throughout
North America where owners can showcase their animals and fleeces.
How long do they
live?
About 15
to 20 years.
Is it OK to have just
one alpaca?
As a
general rule, the answer is no. Alpacas have very strong herding
instincts and need the companionship of other alpacas to thrive.
Gender-appropriate (or neutered) llamas sometimes will successfully bond
with an alpaca. Otherwise, it is best to provide each alpaca with a
companion alpaca of the same gender. However, we have had very
good results with pet males being placed with other livestock; i.e.
goats and sheep. They have adapted well to their new environment and
are thriving with their new companions of a different species.
Do I need a lot of
land to raise alpacas?
No. The
specific answer is quite variable, and is contingent on such factors
as: type of terrain, amount of annual precipitation, seasonal factors,
availability of pasture and/or hay, etc. For arid climates animals are
usually fed on “dry lot,” with little or no pasture feeding. In this
instance, the number of animals that can be raised is generally between
two to six per acre. In milder, wetter climates with abundant fresh
pasture available, however, ten or more alpacas per acre might be the
norm.
What do I need by way
of shelter and fencing?
This is
widely variable, depending on such things as weather and predators. But
as a general rule, the alpacas do need at least a three-sided, open
shelter where they can escape inclement weather. And if predators are
present in your neighborhood, then a minimum of five-foot-high, 2” x 4”
no-climb fencing is necessary to keep out the predators.
I live in the city;
would it be possible for me to own alpacas?
Absolutely. Urban dwellers can board (or “agist”) their alpacas at
nearby farms/ranches so that they can enjoy the benefits of ownership
while living in a large city or suburb.
How much do alpacas
cost?
The price
of an alpaca will depend on its quality (especially conformation and
fleece qualities); its bloodlines; positive traits proven to be
heritable in its offspring; whether it is a male or female; age;
breeding history; and a host of other traits and factors. Hood View
Alpacas offers a range of high-quality alpacas at competitive
prices giving you the best value for your investment dollars. See our
Price List for a complete listing of what we have available for
purchase. We recommend consulting with your tax advisor about the
effects of alpaca purchases on your specific tax situation. For most
breeders, the purchase of alpaca breeding stock offers many favorable
tax advantages, as well as the potential for significant income
generation.
What are the tax
advantages to owning alpacas?
Alpacas
used for breeding purposes are considered by the Internal Revenue
Service to be BUSINESS PROPERTY. That means that for every alpaca that
you purchase (and declare) as breeding stock; you can fully depreciate
that animal over the course of five years. Furthermore, you may also be
allowed to file an accelerated depreciation (“Schedule 179”) up to
$25,000 per year – every single year in the year of purchase. This is
in addition to the five-year standard depreciation schedule on other
alpacas. Don’t forget those additional, standard farm expenses like
feed, fencing, barns, maintenance, etc. and you end up with some
incredible tax advantages. (This information is intended only as a
general guideline; please consult with your tax advisor for the latest,
up-to-date information pertaining to your specific situation.)
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