About Alpacas
Alpacas are native to the Andes mountains of South America, living on the "Alto -Plano" at an altitude of approximately 10,000ft. The terrain at this altitude is very rocky and in foraging for food they grind their teeth down, hence the need to file their teeth once a year in this country!
They are a member of the Camelid family and were prized by the Incas and bred for their superb fleece, which is very soft but durable.
Alpacas are pack animals and thrive in groups of three or more living to approximately 20 years of age.
The first Alpacas in this country were found in zoos. In 1995 alpacas started to be imported from South America to be bred for their fleece/fibre and there are now more than 10,000 in the country.
Alpacas are very sensitive and inquisitive animals and are a delight to own and care for. We name all our animals and they have their own individual personalities.
The gestation period is 11.5 months and they give birth to 1 Cria.

Basic glossary of terms
Camelid - Family including Camels, Llamas and Alpacas.
Cria - Baby alpaca.
Maiden - Female before becoming pregnant.
Wether - Castrated male.
Fibre - The Fleece.
Saddle - Prime part of the fleece over the back of the animal.
Huacaya - Type of alpaca where the fleece grows perpendicular to the skin with crimping.
Suri - Type of alpaca where the fleece hangs in ringlets.
Accoyo - Supreme alpaca herd.
Micron - Measurement of the fineness of the fleece.
Drenching - Giving medecine by mouth.

Alpaca care

General husbandry

• Feet :- Toenails need clipping every 3 months.
• Worming :- Every 6 months, we use "Dectomax".
• Vaccination :- Once a year.
• Shearing :- Once a year, May or June is a good time.
• Teeth :- These will be filed by the shearer at the time of shearing.
• Feeding :-
  1) Ensure that they have a good supply of clean water at all times.
  2) Their main diet is grass.
  3) Hay should be available particularly in winter.
  4) A small amount of Camelid mix (approx 125 grammes per animal twice a day) containing essential minerals and vitamins. We feed to both females and males, pregnant and non pregnant.

Fencing
Stock fencing or post & rail to a height of at least 1.5 metres, never use barbed wire.
Shelter
We provide mobile shelters for our animals as although they will stay out in all weathers, they do at times want to shelter from the rain or snow. Mobile shelters are useful as you do not need to obtain planning permission to install them.

Cria Care