Raising Alpacas

Raising exotic animals became a part of my life at a very young age. It was nothing for me to look out the window as a child and see ostriches, deer, llamas, or miniature donkeys wandering around the fields. Therefore, it came as no surprise, when several years ago my parents announced that they planned to begin raising alpacas. At that time, alpacas were not often heard of outside of zoos or game farms and it took some research to learn about raising them on a family farm.

Alpacas originated in South American countries such as Peru, Bolivia, and Chile and are a member of the camel family. They are most often bred for their silky wool that is produced in a wide range of shades and colors. The two main breeds of alpaca are known as the Suri and Huacaya. Generally, alpacas are not a very large animals which allows them to be managed fairly easily by farmers. In recent years, many people, like my parents, have become involved with raising these exotic creatures both for financial gain as well as their docile personalities that makes them a safe and fun pet.

Raising an alpacas is not difficult if you understand the basics. Alpacas can range in cost from several hundred to several thousand dollars per animal depending on the quality of their fleece and their lineage. Their fleece is a key component because on an annual basis each animal must be sheared and their fleece is then sold for weaving and creating products such as sweaters, socks, and stuffed bears. Learning to shear the animal can be tricky the first few times. It is critical that the person shearing has a steady hand and sharp tools to allow the process to move along quickly. This person would also benefit from watching others shear a few animals before they begin their first animal. Most farms seem more than willing to share their expertise in this area. The animal can be sheared standing up, but many farmers will rely on a shearing table that allows the animal to be laid down and also limits any danger to the animal or people involved. There should be several people available during the annual shearing as there are several jobs to be done including someone familiar to the animal to aid in calming the nerves of the alpaca.

Once an animal is sheared, it is a good time to give the animal its' yearly vaccinations and clip the teeth and hooves. Checking with your veterinarian for specific vaccination recommendations will assist in keeping your entire herd healthy. Alpaca's teeth must be clipped in order to allow them to eat with ease. Although the animal may seem uneasy during this process, it does not actually hurt them and will benefit them in the long run. If the teeth become too long or grow in the wrong direction, it becomes difficult for the animal to eat properly. The alpaca's hooves are then trimmed with a tool that looks much like pruning shears. It is important to trim the hooves before they begin to curl because at that point, they could grow into the pad of the hoof which will make walking awkward and painful for the animal.

A fun, but sometimes stressful yearly event with alpacas is their birthing process. Alpacas generally are able to be bred at any time of the year although in some climates, weather conditions should be taken into consideration. Female alpacas are ready to be bred at about two years of age and the male alpaca is ready for breeding at about three years old. The gestation period for alpacas is approximately 11 months with some going slightly shorter amounts of time and some going slightly longer. For most of the animals, this is a natural process and they instinctively know what to do during and after birthing. On rare occasions, a farmer will have to assist with this process or call their veterinarian to assist. Newborn alpacas are known as cria and will normally be on their feet and and nursing from their mothers within 90 minutes. Cria are almost always born during daylight hours which allows owners to note any needs of the mother or baby. Getting your hands on the cria within the first day or two will allow it to form a bond with humans that will last for years to come.

Along with the yearly maintenance of alpacas, they do have some daily needs. As with any animal, they need a constant source of fresh water, food, clean housing, and safe fencing. Since alpacas are a herd animal, they should be placed in a pen with other alpacas and not left in isolation. One caution when grouping alpacas is to keep an eye on the animals when first placing them together to assure an underdog is not being mistreated. Food for an alpaca can vary from farm to farm. They should have access to fresh grass or hay at all times. In addition to the grass or hay, alpacas can be fed one of many type of commercialized feeds. It is important that whatever feed you choose contains a balance of all necessary minerals for your particular area and animals. It is important to make changes to their diet slowly in order to allow their digestive systems to adjust to the changes.

If you are an animal lover, it will not take long to consider your alpacas as a part of the family. When they are cared for properly, they can live healthy and happy lives for as many as 20-25 years. In these years, they will provide your family with a great deal of joy and excitement.