Alpaca Farming Guide For A Beginner Farmer

Alpacas are part of the camel family like llamas which is called the Camelids and they are raised for commercial and personal purpose. It takes one to closely distinguish the features of alpacas and llamas because they can be mistaken, but if carefully looked at then it would not that hard to actually see the difference. Alpacas are herd minded animals and are a bit timid too, though they have other species that are considered their wild cousins.

Alpacas have a smaller body frame with a weight of 55-65 kg (121-143 pounds); with a height to the shoulder of around 90 cm (35 inches); their faces are small, blunt and have short ears. Alpacas are best known for their fiber. They have a single coat that is finer, producing a greater amount of fiber that comes in 22 different colours.

Owners and persons in charge of camelids are required to have the relevant knowledge to ensure that the health and welfare needs of the animals in their care are met. Any contracted or temporary staff should be trained and be competent in the relevant activity or under the supervision of a trained and competent person.

What Not To Feed Alpacas And Their Ideal Feed

There are plant vegetations and food that are toxic for alpacas to feed on and it is advisable to beware of the environment where your animals feed at. Below are some of the toxic and toxin infested plants and environment;

• Algae – the blue green algae is found in stagnant, slow moving waters with high temperatures. Once the animals feed on them, they cause convulsion as they come on as an allergy reaction. Sometimes the alpaca sinks to the ground and this could cause death.
• Blister beetle poison – is found in alfalfa hay as the beetles swarm the hay and spread the alfalfa as a defence mechanism against predators. This can cause severe shock in animals, causing death.
• Mineral salt blocks should never be given to alpacas and no trace of the alpacas feed which could cause copper toxicity. These copper traces can be found in chicken feed, cow mineral or pig mineral.
• Grain overload can be detrimental to alpacas when they ingest large amounts of grain which can cause an increase in lactic acid production. Another grain overload could be caused by a sudden switch of grain especially when alpacas are not accustomed to eating grain.
• Mold or fungi infested places will cause mycotoxins which is harmful to alpacas especially when they feed on areas that are moist and warm environments.
• Animal product of any kind, cherries, avocado, kale, chocolate, potatoes, and nightshade vegetables.

Alpacas are grazing pasture animals as their main source of feed. Feeding brassicas and/or concentrates, a supplementary source of roughage such as hay, silage or haylage should be added to the diet to aid proper digestion. This should be provided daily throughout the year.

It is very important that the animals have access to an adequate daily supply of drinking water that is palatable and not harmful to the animal’s health. Since alpacas are held for transport, they should not be without water for periods longer than 3 hours.

Welfare Guide For Alpacas

Alpacas are essential for their husbandry hence mustering and droving, so it important to understand the animals’ behaviour in such a way to facilitate their mustering while minimizing stress on the animals.

Alpaca farmers are advised to muster them slowly and quietly; at least drive the animals using the appropriate tools such as a wand and herding tape.

How To Raise Alpacas Be vigilant when the animals are moving in rocky places as their pace may vary and be gentle with the slow paced animals. After mustering or droving, animals should be provided with suitable conditions and time to enable settling down, mothering up or shelter seeking before the onset of darkness.

Shelter

Though alpacas have fiber coat, they are also vulnerable to extreme change in weather conditions which could lead to either hypothermia or heat stress. Farmers are urged to provide shelter for their animal for protection from too much heat, cold, rainy weather and strong winds.

Shelter and shade may be provided in a number of ways including through the use of topographical features such as gullies or hollows (of adequate depth), natural features such as stands of trees or scrub, hedges or shelter belts, however artificial structures such as buildings, etc. are essential and not just an option within a range of possibilities.

The shelter can also work in favour when alpacas want to go into isolation when giving birth or when animal is ill wishing to separate itself from the other animals. Prolonged exposure of the animals to the extreme conditions will lead to mortality.

What also determines the type of housing or shelter for your animals is the core reason for keeping them. In some cases, it is best to have housing which will enable them to exhibit normal behaviour through playing, kushing, resting and ruminating; also minimizing aggression within the herd. There should be enough space for the animals depending on the weight.

Breeding For Alpacas (Camelids)

When it comes to breeding alpacas, they are induced ovulators (prompting the ovaries to grow by medication). The male camelid used to pen mate a female (dam) should be under supervision, the keeper should ensure that the mating proceeds safely without injury to either animal.

Alpacas have a gestation period of between 335-350 days and a cria may weigh 6.8-8.6 kg (15-19 pounds). Be sure that pregnant alpacas are not exposed to stressful events and are carefully managed, because first time mothers have a higher incidence of difficulties giving birth and mothering, and need to be observed more closely and frequently.

The camelids young are called crias and they are breastfed to get colostrum which is beneficial in so many ways for the newborn animals. Grain feed is adequately fed at a minimal scale per day throughout the first few weeks of life and inspect the crias daily to make sure they are in a healthy state.

A female alpaca is usually bred at 14–16 months and a male reaches full maturity in two to three years. Their life span is about 15–25 years.

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Here are frequently asked questions (FAQs) about alpacas, covering their care, behavior, uses, and more:

General Questions

1. What is an alpaca?
   • Alpacas are domesticated camelids native to South America, closely related to llamas, vicuñas, and guanacos. They are primarily raised for their soft, luxurious fleece.
2. What’s the difference between alpacas and llamas?
   • Alpacas are smaller, have finer fleece, and are primarily bred for fiber, while llamas are larger and used as pack animals.
3. How long do alpacas live?
   • Alpacas typically live 15–20 years, with some reaching up to 25 years with proper care.
4. Are alpacas friendly?
   • Yes, alpacas are generally gentle and curious, though they can be shy at first. They are social animals that thrive in herds.
5. Do alpacas spit?
   • Yes, but usually at each other (over food or dominance) rather than at humans. Hand-reared alpacas are less likely to spit at people.

Care & Management

6. What do alpacas eat?
   • They primarily graze on grass and hay, supplemented with alpaca pellets for extra nutrients. Clean water is essential.
7. How much land do alpacas need?
   • About 1 acre can support 5–10 alpacas, but they need space to roam and graze comfortably.
8. Do alpacas need shelter?
   • Yes, they need protection from extreme weather (heat, cold, rain), such as a three-sided shelter or barn.
9. How often do alpacas need shearing?
   • Once a year, usually in spring, to keep them cool and harvest their fiber.
10. Do alpacas need vaccinations?

• Yes, they require routine vaccinations (e.g., for clostridial diseases) and parasite control. A vet can recommend a schedule.

Behavior & Social Life

11. Are alpacas good with other animals?

• They usually get along with sheep, goats, and horses but prefer the company of other alpacas.

12. Do alpacas make noise?

• They hum, cluck, and make alarm calls but are generally quieter than llamas.

13. Can alpacas be house-trained?

• No, they are pasture animals and not suited for indoor living.

Breeding & Reproduction

14. At what age can alpacas breed?

• Females (hembras) can breed at 18–24 months; males (machos) are ready at 2–3 years.

15. How long is an alpaca’s gestation period?

• About 11–12 months, usually resulting in a single baby (cria).

16. Do alpacas need assistance during birth?

• Most births are uncomplicated, but monitoring is recommended in case of complications.

Fiber & Uses

17. What is alpaca fiber used for?

• It’s spun into yarn for clothing, blankets, and accessories. It’s hypoallergenic, soft, and warmer than sheep’s wool.

18. How much fiber does an alpaca produce?

• About 5–10 pounds per year, depending on the breed (Huacaya or Suri).

19. Which is better, Huacaya or Suri alpaca fiber?

• Huacaya fiber is fluffy and crimped (more common), while Suri fiber is silky and drapes like dreadlocks. Both are valuable.

Legal & Practical Considerations

20. Do I need a permit to keep alpacas?

• This depends on local zoning laws. Some areas classify them as livestock, so check regulations before buying.

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