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What Is An Alpaca?
vicuna, guanaco, llama and alpaca. Unlike the llamas, which were primarily used as pack
animals in South America, alpacas were raised for their cashmere-like fiber, once reserved for
Incan royalty. They have been domesticated for over 5,000 years. Alpacas and llamas are
native to the Andean Mountain Range of South American and are primarily found in Bolivia,
Chile and Peru. Countries importing alpacas is growing and includes the United States,
How Many Types Of Alpacas Are There?
There are two types of alpacas, both of which are represented in the United States, the Huacaya
and Suri. The Huacaya's fiber has a wavy or crimped appearance (and they resemble a teddy
bear) while the Suri's fiber hangs in uniform locks.
How Much Do Alpacas Cost?
A proven, high-quality female in the prime of her cria-bearing (cria is what the babies are called)
years will fetch between $10,000 and $40,000. Older females or younger females may be less,
depending on the quality and bloodline of the females. Keep in mind that the better quality
females may cost even more—it’s important to be certain you know that you are getting your
money’s worth.
Breeding-quality males start around $1,500 and the superior males can go as high as
$750,000! It’s common to see several alpaca farmers or breeders own one high-quality male.
Fiber-quality animals can sell between $250 and $2,000. In addition to earning income from
fiber sales, fiber animals also make great companions for your herdsires.
What Do Alpacas Eat?
While alpacas can eat any traditional North American grass, they tend to prefer the softer
second cut hay over the stalkier first cut hay. If you come from a traditional livestock
background, you will understand that 10 alpacas eat about as much as one cow (one animal
unit). Alpacas eat approximately 2 lbs. of hay a day, making them a very inexpensive animal to
feed.
Alpacas should also be given free-choice loose mineral salts, which should be selected to
complement your animal's regular diet, as well as grain mixes for those animals who need a
few more calories. Typical grain mixes that would be appropriate for alpacas are alpaca feed or
pellets available from your local feed store.
How Much Does It Cost To Feed An Alpaca?
It will vary depending on whether or not your alpacas can graze, what quality of forage they have
available and for how much of the year. Overall, it will cost less to feed an alpaca per month
than the average dog -- about $12 per month or $144 per year. This includes the minerals and
grain mixes mentioned above. Thus, an alpaca is a very economical animal to feed!
Where Do I Keep An Alpaca?
If you live in a town or area that is governed by land-use restrictions, you will first need to check
with your zoning department. Generally, alpaca owners have found that land that permits
horses will permit alpacas. While they are considered livestock in many states, they are not
generally considered the same as a chicken or hog.
Alpacas typically do not need as much space as most agricultural animals. Approximately 10
alpacas per acre is a comfortable concentration, depending on your pastures. They also need
some (minimal) shelter, such as a run-in three-sided shed with an overhang to protect them
from the weather. As long as they have shade and a wind-break, they do well. In extremes of
cold, you would want them to be able to choose to come in from the cold; and in extremes of
heat you would want to make sure they did not get heat-stressed. It helps to have large fans
and cold water sources available.
If your property doesn't permit alpacas, or you are not ready to care for them, you can still
purchase alpacas now and board, or agist, them with another owner/breeder. Costs for this
range from $2-3/day for each animal and generally include routine shots, wormings and toenail
trimmings. Eagle Cove Farm Alpacas provides agisting services. Please contact us for more
information.
What Kind Of Fencing Is Required?
Rather than thinking about keeping alpacas in, fencing should be designed to keep predators
out. Alpacas typically will not challenge fencing. Therefore, a simple fence will do to keep them
in. However, alpaca farmers find they need a high-quality perimeter fence to keep predators
out. You would think that the most dangerous predators to alpacas would be bears, coyotes or
wolves; but actually, it is the neighborhood dogs that are the most dangerous to alpacas. Thus,
any fence that will keep out dogs will work to protect alpacas in most circumstances. Some
breeders also use guardian llamas and livestock guardian dogs to protect their valuable
alpacas.
What Kind Of Vet Costs Will I Incur?
Alpacas are very easy keepers and most breeders worm their alpacas themselves monthly,
and give shots of one kind or another once or twice a year, but this does not typically require a
veterinarian. Also, studies show that less than 5% of alpaca births require a veterinarian's
assistance; so unless an animal gets injured, your vet may not be visiting you much.
Therefore, any vet costs may incur will depend on how much your vet charges for a farm or
ranch visit, and then how much your vet charges for each individual treatment, such as a health
check or BVD test.
What Can You Do With Your Fleece?
Many alpaca farmers and breeders shear their alpacas every year. While some owners do their
own shearing, professional help is available if you want it.
Fiber mills pool sheared alpaca fiber for processing. Alpaca fiber can also be sold to hand- spinners and weavers. Alpaca
fiber is highly prized by spinners, knitters and weavers as a soft, lustrous material that works up into a
wonderful garment that will wear beautifully for many years. It is hypoallergenic, non-itchy and
considered softer than cashmere. The price will vary depending on the color and quality, but
generally raw fleece sells for $20-25/lb., with washed and carded fleece selling for $2-2.50/oz.
On average, an alpaca will yield approximately 5 lbs. of fleece per shearing, a breeder can
expect to get $100-$150 a year from each alpaca's fleece sale. That does not take into account
turning the yarn into a finished product which will generate even more money.
PacaFacts:
• The North American alpaca population is growing slowly because females only have one
baby a year, and the importation of alpacas from South America to North America has been
ceased in order to maintain the high quality of our current herd.
• Many breeders are building the size of their own herds; thus, they prefer to retain more
offspring each year than they sell.
• Alpacas are expensive for several reasons. First of all, there aren't that many of them,
approximately 100,000 in Northern America. As more people worldwide learn the advantages of
alpaca farming, and more people come to know the high quality of alpaca products, the
demand will continue to exceed supply.
• Artificial insemination has been found to be very difficult in alpacas. For now, it is not a
viable option for reproduction in alpacas.
• It is true that alpacas are expensive livestock to purchase; however, that works to your
advantage when you have animals to sell. Their prices have held very well. Thus, an alpaca
farmer can generally expect to recoup the initial cost of a female alpaca, for example, within 3
years or so with the sales of her offspring. There are very few investments which have the
potential of yielding 100% within 3 years!
• Their feet are padded like a dog’s and do no damage to the soil.
• Cleanup is easy because they make communal "poop piles," choosing favorite locations
which they all use.
• Alpacas live to be between 15-25 years old. They are smaller than Llamas, standing about
3 feet tall at the withers with a long, graceful neck and thick, soft fiber all over.
• They typically weigh 100-175 pounds and give birth once per year to one baby, called a cria.
• Crias can usually stand and nurse within the first hour after birth and often frolic around the
mother's side that soon.
• Alpacas make excellent companion animals, and are also show animals. They are easily
trained to lead and are gentle enough to be handled by children
• "Paca Beans" make Instant Compost.
• They are smart, easily trainable and funny.
• They have a gentle nature and a permanent smile.
• They are amazingly alert and communicate with each other through body posture, tail and
ear movements, and a variety of sounds. The sound heard most often is a soft humming.
• All alpacas in the United States and Canada are blood typed and registered through the
Alpaca Registry Inc. The blood typing helps insure the quality and pureness of the breed.
• Alpacas are induced ovulators and can be bred at any time of the year. The ARI is the
largest alpaca registry in the world.
• Alpacas will spit at one another in defense of their babies and food, or to negate the
advances of a breeding male. They will rarely spit on people.
• Another great resource for alpaca information is our national organization AOBA (Alpaca
Owners & Breeders Association). Please visit the website and request information.
vicuna, guanaco, llama and alpaca. Unlike the llamas, which were primarily used as pack
animals in South America, alpacas were raised for their cashmere-like fiber, once reserved for
Incan royalty. They have been domesticated for over 5,000 years. Alpacas and llamas are
native to the Andean Mountain Range of South American and are primarily found in Bolivia,
Chile and Peru. Countries importing alpacas is growing and includes the United States,
How Many Types Of Alpacas Are There?
There are two types of alpacas, both of which are represented in the United States, the Huacaya
and Suri. The Huacaya's fiber has a wavy or crimped appearance (and they resemble a teddy
bear) while the Suri's fiber hangs in uniform locks.
How Much Do Alpacas Cost?
A proven, high-quality female in the prime of her cria-bearing (cria is what the babies are called)
years will fetch between $10,000 and $40,000. Older females or younger females may be less,
depending on the quality and bloodline of the females. Keep in mind that the better quality
females may cost even more—it’s important to be certain you know that you are getting your
money’s worth.
Breeding-quality males start around $1,500 and the superior males can go as high as
$750,000! It’s common to see several alpaca farmers or breeders own one high-quality male.
Fiber-quality animals can sell between $250 and $2,000. In addition to earning income from
fiber sales, fiber animals also make great companions for your herdsires.
What Do Alpacas Eat?
While alpacas can eat any traditional North American grass, they tend to prefer the softer
second cut hay over the stalkier first cut hay. If you come from a traditional livestock
background, you will understand that 10 alpacas eat about as much as one cow (one animal
unit). Alpacas eat approximately 2 lbs. of hay a day, making them a very inexpensive animal to
feed.
Alpacas should also be given free-choice loose mineral salts, which should be selected to
complement your animal's regular diet, as well as grain mixes for those animals who need a
few more calories. Typical grain mixes that would be appropriate for alpacas are alpaca feed or
pellets available from your local feed store.
How Much Does It Cost To Feed An Alpaca?
It will vary depending on whether or not your alpacas can graze, what quality of forage they have
available and for how much of the year. Overall, it will cost less to feed an alpaca per month
than the average dog -- about $12 per month or $144 per year. This includes the minerals and
grain mixes mentioned above. Thus, an alpaca is a very economical animal to feed!
Where Do I Keep An Alpaca?
If you live in a town or area that is governed by land-use restrictions, you will first need to check
with your zoning department. Generally, alpaca owners have found that land that permits
horses will permit alpacas. While they are considered livestock in many states, they are not
generally considered the same as a chicken or hog.
Alpacas typically do not need as much space as most agricultural animals. Approximately 10
alpacas per acre is a comfortable concentration, depending on your pastures. They also need
some (minimal) shelter, such as a run-in three-sided shed with an overhang to protect them
from the weather. As long as they have shade and a wind-break, they do well. In extremes of
cold, you would want them to be able to choose to come in from the cold; and in extremes of
heat you would want to make sure they did not get heat-stressed. It helps to have large fans
and cold water sources available.
If your property doesn't permit alpacas, or you are not ready to care for them, you can still
purchase alpacas now and board, or agist, them with another owner/breeder. Costs for this
range from $2-3/day for each animal and generally include routine shots, wormings and toenail
trimmings. Eagle Cove Farm Alpacas provides agisting services. Please contact us for more
information.
What Kind Of Fencing Is Required?
Rather than thinking about keeping alpacas in, fencing should be designed to keep predators
out. Alpacas typically will not challenge fencing. Therefore, a simple fence will do to keep them
in. However, alpaca farmers find they need a high-quality perimeter fence to keep predators
out. You would think that the most dangerous predators to alpacas would be bears, coyotes or
wolves; but actually, it is the neighborhood dogs that are the most dangerous to alpacas. Thus,
any fence that will keep out dogs will work to protect alpacas in most circumstances. Some
breeders also use guardian llamas and livestock guardian dogs to protect their valuable
alpacas.
What Kind Of Vet Costs Will I Incur?
Alpacas are very easy keepers and most breeders worm their alpacas themselves monthly,
and give shots of one kind or another once or twice a year, but this does not typically require a
veterinarian. Also, studies show that less than 5% of alpaca births require a veterinarian's
assistance; so unless an animal gets injured, your vet may not be visiting you much.
Therefore, any vet costs may incur will depend on how much your vet charges for a farm or
ranch visit, and then how much your vet charges for each individual treatment, such as a health
check or BVD test.
What Can You Do With Your Fleece?
Many alpaca farmers and breeders shear their alpacas every year. While some owners do their
own shearing, professional help is available if you want it.
Fiber mills pool sheared alpaca fiber for processing. Alpaca fiber can also be sold to hand- spinners and weavers. Alpaca
fiber is highly prized by spinners, knitters and weavers as a soft, lustrous material that works up into a
wonderful garment that will wear beautifully for many years. It is hypoallergenic, non-itchy and
considered softer than cashmere. The price will vary depending on the color and quality, but
generally raw fleece sells for $20-25/lb., with washed and carded fleece selling for $2-2.50/oz.
On average, an alpaca will yield approximately 5 lbs. of fleece per shearing, a breeder can
expect to get $100-$150 a year from each alpaca's fleece sale. That does not take into account
turning the yarn into a finished product which will generate even more money.
PacaFacts:
• The North American alpaca population is growing slowly because females only have one
baby a year, and the importation of alpacas from South America to North America has been
ceased in order to maintain the high quality of our current herd.
• Many breeders are building the size of their own herds; thus, they prefer to retain more
offspring each year than they sell.
• Alpacas are expensive for several reasons. First of all, there aren't that many of them,
approximately 100,000 in Northern America. As more people worldwide learn the advantages of
alpaca farming, and more people come to know the high quality of alpaca products, the
demand will continue to exceed supply.
• Artificial insemination has been found to be very difficult in alpacas. For now, it is not a
viable option for reproduction in alpacas.
• It is true that alpacas are expensive livestock to purchase; however, that works to your
advantage when you have animals to sell. Their prices have held very well. Thus, an alpaca
farmer can generally expect to recoup the initial cost of a female alpaca, for example, within 3
years or so with the sales of her offspring. There are very few investments which have the
potential of yielding 100% within 3 years!
• Their feet are padded like a dog’s and do no damage to the soil.
• Cleanup is easy because they make communal "poop piles," choosing favorite locations
which they all use.
• Alpacas live to be between 15-25 years old. They are smaller than Llamas, standing about
3 feet tall at the withers with a long, graceful neck and thick, soft fiber all over.
• They typically weigh 100-175 pounds and give birth once per year to one baby, called a cria.
• Crias can usually stand and nurse within the first hour after birth and often frolic around the
mother's side that soon.
• Alpacas make excellent companion animals, and are also show animals. They are easily
trained to lead and are gentle enough to be handled by children
• "Paca Beans" make Instant Compost.
• They are smart, easily trainable and funny.
• They have a gentle nature and a permanent smile.
• They are amazingly alert and communicate with each other through body posture, tail and
ear movements, and a variety of sounds. The sound heard most often is a soft humming.
• All alpacas in the United States and Canada are blood typed and registered through the
Alpaca Registry Inc. The blood typing helps insure the quality and pureness of the breed.
• Alpacas are induced ovulators and can be bred at any time of the year. The ARI is the
largest alpaca registry in the world.
• Alpacas will spit at one another in defense of their babies and food, or to negate the
advances of a breeding male. They will rarely spit on people.
• Another great resource for alpaca information is our national organization AOBA (Alpaca
Owners & Breeders Association). Please visit the website and request information.
Ron & Keli Harold
5900 Woodberry Farm Road
Orange, VA 22960
info@eaglecovefarm.com
www.eaglecovefarm.com
Farm: 540-854-5580
Fax: 540-854-7827
It’s All Good!
5900 Woodberry Farm Road
Orange, VA 22960
info@eaglecovefarm.com
www.eaglecovefarm.com
Farm: 540-854-5580
Fax: 540-854-7827
It’s All Good!
