Alpaca Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Questions, questions, questions. Most people new to alpacas have them. If you do that's good. You should learn as much as you need to feel confident. And there is always more to learn.

Below are some of the more frequently asked questions we've heard. All of them are good. Some are funny.

Please send in your FAQ additions to info@1stchoicealpacas.com. We'll list your entry and (if you like) give you credit.

• What kind of fencing do we need?

Alpacas won't really challenge fencing except in the case of strong mating drives. So your fencing will be dictated by the predators in your area. The most common threat are neighborhood dogs so a good strong fence might be your answer. Note that a guard dog or dogs, or even electric fencing may be warranted in some regions.
• What kind of barn do we need?

Although some would say none, our experience is a simple 3-sided shelter is best for mild climates. Our alpacas will come in out of hard rains and usually spend the night sitting in the barn or near it. You'll want to protect your alpacas from severe weather and excessive dampness. In colder climates the barn may need to be enclosed or even heated. But typically the problem is heat. Try to offer shade for your animals for those warm days.
• How much can an alPACa carry?

Not much. The name is a bit misleading. Most alpacas weight under 200 lbs and are raised for their exquisite fiber. Llamas are much larger and more aggressive. They're used as pack animals. However, you can purchase cute alpaca packs ("saddle bags") for your alpaca ambassadors. These should be only for show and should not be weighed down with heavy items.
• How much do they cost?

The cost of an alpaca varies widely based on quality. Like other livestock such as bulls or horses, excellent examples of the breed can fetch an amazingly high price ($100,000+). Typical breeding females sell in the $12,000 to $20,000 range but even here there is a large variance based on age, breed history and quality.

Pet quality and fiber only animals (non-breeding) are an option which can be purchased for a few hundred dollars. Many breeders have donated non-breeding animals to programs such as 4-H.

We have sold wonderful fiber males from our farm and others. These males are good animals, they just fall short of exacting standards needed to attain herdsire status. We sell them for very reasonable prices.


• How hard are they to take care of?

Alpacas are pretty hearty and as such are much less work than many other livestock. They should be shorn once per year ($15-$35) before it gets hot. Toenails need clipped if they are not wearing down naturally on your terrain. Wormings should be done (usually orally) a few times a year. On some animals, teeth may need trimmed during shearing.

The best way to learn how to take care of an alpaca is get hands on experience at a farm who will take the time to show you the ropes. There are also numerous excellent training clinics offered year round. You should work with a veterinarian to establish a health care regimen for your area and pasture conditions.

We enjoy having apprentises for the day or longer at our farm. You'll get a feel for what the day to day life is in raising alpacas.

• Can we put just one on our lawn?

Alpacas are extremely herd oriented and need to be around members of their own kind for their emotional health. They are very intelligent animals and require the complex socialization of a group or at the very least one other individual. Two or three should be a minimum sized herd.
• Can alpacas be taught to fetch?!

Hmmmm... maybe. Alpacas are very intelligent and can be trained to walk on a lead, perform on obstacle courses and other tricks. It's all based on your imagination and skill/patience as a trainer. One of the most rewarding aspects of getting to know your alpacas is they generally require that you earn their trust. They don't just give it away. Patience, kindness and a positive attitude in you are picked up by your alpacas and they respond well to it. By the way, if you walk out to your pasture in a bad mood, your animals will pick up on it almost immediately. So put on a smile first!

Note that there is a limit to how friendly you may want an alpaca to become. An overly friendly cria could become a nuisance as an adult if you allow it to develop bad habits (like pulling on your shirt or searching pockets for treats).

• What do we need to move our alpacas?

Alpacas travel amazingly well. Most will sit down ("cush") within a few minutes of getting into a trailer or the family mini-van. And most will "hold it" for quite a long time when travelling.

Alpacas get curious looks from other drivers as they watch the traffic go by. Best to make sure your animal will have good non-slip footing and you are prepared for any bathroom related mishaps.

• How much land do we need to get ___ alpacas?

One acre of pasture can feed 5-6 alpacas generally but this can vary by growing conditions or season. Some alpaca farms have no grass at all, feeding their animals 100% hay. It really comes down to good farm planning to provide a clean, spacious area for your animals. Though some will argue for smaller numbers, we have seen farms with 10-12 alpacas/acre who seemed quite content.
• What do we do with the wool?

Alpaca fleece is a valuable commodity. Selling at or above prices for Merino sheep and Angora goats, alpaca fleece is very popular. You can sell it to local spinners, have it processed into yarn for sale at your farm, or make finished products like hats, gloves and sweaters. Groups such as the national Alpaca Fiber Co-op of North America (AFCNA) take raw fiber from participating farms for below wholesale prices on fine finished products.

There are numerous other options for selling fleece, with new ones coming up each year.

• How much water do they need?

Alpacas generally drink 1 to 1.5 gallons of water a day. Cool water in the summer and not so cold in the winter is best.

Just remember to keep it fresh enough that perhaps you'd drink it!

• Why do they hum? Are they OK?

"Because they don't know the words" - anonymous

But seriously, they DO know the words. Although the animals are basically quite by nature, alpacas make a wide variety of sounds. They have mulitple hums, bugle calls, yells, grunts, groans, clucks, etc. They have a pretty big vocabulary. After a while, if you pay attention, you'll learn to speak (or at least understand) alpaca. It's fun!

• What does an alpaca mother do when you touch or hold her cria?

Depends on the mother. Alpacas have very individual personalities. Some will just look at you and make sure you're not hurting the baby. Others will get alarmed and make cries. We had one who did a body block to keep us from moving her baby! But with most interactions with alpacas it comes down to trust. If the mother trusts you, and realizes you're not going to harm the baby, she won't mind all that much if you touch or even pick up her cria.
• How many employees do we need to start?

None hopefully. Alpacas are very easy to take care of. One person can do it. Of course, if you start with a large herd you will probably want help. But in general, alpacas are easier to manage than even one demanding dog or cat. They're pretty independent, as long as they have eachother.
• What else do I need to know?

There is always more to learn. It's a great adventure coming to know alpacas and sharing them with others. Visit farms, go to seminars, spend time with the animals. It's really not that hard. Alpacas are wonderfully easy to care for.

Visit us and we'll show you what it's like to take care of a small herd, earn trust, and have fun with alpacas!

• Is it hard to sell the fiber?

We part with our fiber in many ways. About 1/2 of it goes to the American Co-op ("Americas Alpaca") from which we then buy clothing items at less than wholesale prices. We also send part of our annual "clip" to mills and sell the returned rovings or yarn. Lastly, there are many hand crafters out there. We sell a lot of fiber raw. Since we see such a demand for alpaca fiber, we've been buying raw fiber, rovings and yarn from other farms! And it's amazing to think that most people, even fiber craft artists, aren't familiar with alpaca.

Contact us if you need further information on selling your alpaca fiber.

• How long do alpacas live?

Typically 16-20 years. Though some have been reportedly living longer. With our high level of care here in the U.S., we might tend to see longer lives for our beloved alpacas.
• How long can alpacas have crias?

This depends greatly on the alpaca but many have reported crias at 16 or even 17 years of age. As you get closer to those higher ages, the health of the Dam must be considered each year. Some have opted to skip a year in between of birthing years. Consult your vet and read read read to understand more of your animals health needs.

 

If you have any additional questions, we'll do our best to answer: info@1stchoicealpacas.com