Alpacas walk lightly on the earth!

Alpacas are a true "Incan Gold." From the high mountain plateaus of Peru, Chile, and Bolivia, for the past 6,000 years they have been and remain treasured by the local peoples. There are two types: Huacaya and Suri. The difference is in the fleece.

Alpacas are camelids, related to the even rarer vicuna, the llama and the camel. They are modified ruminants. They come in 22 natural colors.

Alpacas are one of the oldest domesticated breeds of animals. Tended for their luxurious fiber, they played a central role in the Inca civilization of South America. Nearly driven to extinction by the Spanish conquerors, small herds survived in the high Andes mountains, one of the most inhospitable places on earth.

Today, alpacas are found on almost every continent. They still produce an incomparably soft fleece which is used in clothing designed in high end fashion houses in Europe, Japan and around the world.

• Their feet are padded and do no damage to the soil.
• They are low maintenance livestock.
• They eat less than other livestock.
• They drink less than other livestock.
• They require less room than other livestock. (3 to 10 alpacas per acre depending on where you live)
• They nibble gently at native grasses and do no harm. (and aspen branches and pine boughs but that's another story)
• They are clean and cleanup is easy.
• They make communal "poop piles," choosing favorite locations which they all use. (Of course, my guys haven't read this chapter yet but my Spice Girls have!)
• They produce a sustainable luxury product: fiber!
• They even produce a useful by-product!
• "Paca Beans" make Instant Compost! All free!
• They are smart and trainable and funny.
• They have a gentle nature and a permanent little smile.

The United States is home to a growing herd tended by people that have fallen in love with their gentle nature, and that have the vision to foresee a sustainable agricultural industry based on their fleece. Supported by an effective national breed organization, a state of the art registry, and a national alpaca fiber cooperative, alpacas are a golden opportunity for anyone seeking a more relaxed life that is closer to the earth.

Alpacas are the environmentally-friendly livestock investment you don't have to kill for income. But they ARE livestock, not pets! Although some are quite "huggable." They come with the tax benefits of other livestock. (They are considered to be one-sixth of an "animal unit" under USDA guidelines.) Induced Ovulators
Alpacas can be bred at any time of the year. Births are always in daytime and the incidence of infant mortality and birthing problems are low. Alpaca mothers are devoted and protective. Bonding is easy.

Feeding
Alpacas evolved and adapted to life in very harsh conditions. Fair grass pastures, good quality grass hay and a fresh water supply are basic requirements. Sweet feed and supplemental pellets can be added to diets in winter or in the last stages of pregnancy.

Shelter
Alpacas prefer open pastures to a barn or stall but take calmly to shelter in the worst of winter weather. Normally, they are content with simple shelters in winter and shade in summer's heat. Lightweight panels or fencing are all it takes to corral or contain the gentle alpaca and you can comfortably stock around 10 to an acre. They load and travel very easily.

Management
Low maintenance animals, alpacas are shorn annually and require occasional grooming, trimming of toenails and in a few instances tooth trimming. Annual vaccinations and drenching for parasite control are recommended. Handling and herding them is safe and simple.

Why keep alpacas?
Easy keepers and delightful companion, they produce one of the most sought after natural fibers in the world. The breeding based market for alpacas is as strong now as it was when they were introduced to the USA ten years ago. Few animals produce a better return on your investment.

Oh that wool!
The fleeces of both the Huacaya and Suri are generally free of guard hair. Ninety percent of all alpacas are Huacaya with fine, dense fleece. Suri fiber flows down the animal in long strands giving it an entirely different appearance. Both types of fiber are hollow, making them lightweight and providing excellent insulation.

Alpacas come arrayed in a natural rainbow of twenty-two hues and blends, making the super-fine fiber a much sought after treasure. Sweaters and other clothing made from Alpaca fiber are recognized the world over for their outstanding quality and timeless beauty.

Raising Alpacas
Alpacas are ruminants who utilize their food and water very efficiently, requiring less than most other farm animals. Grass pastures supply their basic needs with supplements of hay and the occasional treat of grain or alfalfa pellets. Shelter and fencing requirements are quite minimal since alpacas are very social animals that are content on only a small amount of acreage. They are among the cleanest of animals, as they confine their dung piles to just a few areas in the pasture. Males reach maturity in about two years and females are bred at 15-20 months of age. Like other camelids, alpacas can be bred at any time of the year. The average gestation period is about 335 days in which they produce a single cria which and sometimes twins, incidentally, are usually delivered during daylight hours (how do they do it?).

Alpacas are generally disease free and very hardy, but basic care of yearly vaccinations, worming and toe trimming are recommended. Alpacas can be sheared every 12 months to harvest their exquisite fleece and provide better health management.