Q. They're really expensive, aren't they?
A. At this stage of the industry's development, price is directly related to the individual breeding potential and the potential quality of the offspring.
For example, a gelding (castrated male) has no breeding potential and is therefore the cheapest alpaca to buy (around $800 to $2,500). On the other hand, a high quality male with many good progeny on the ground has a very high breeding potential and can be worth many thousands of dollars. He can also command a high income from the stud services he provides.
Female prices are a reflection of quality, age, and breeding history and to which stud male she is mated. Females can be worth anything from eight thousand dollars to tens of thousands of dollars.
Income from females is derived from selling the offspring. However, breeding plans should be made so that long term depreciation of the older breeders and increases in quality of offspring are taken into account.
Although the average gestation is eleven and a half months, a projection of three offspring in four years per mature female is more realistic than expectations of one offspring every year.
Q. What do you do with an alpaca?
A. They provide an excellent investment opportunity and are the source of luxurious fiber. The fleece, comparable to cashmere, is known for its fineness, light weight, and luster. Alpaca textile products are recognized world-wide. Everyone should own a soft, warm alpaca sweater!
Q. What do alpacas do besides grow fiber?
A. They make excellent companion animals and are also show animals with high aesthetic appeal. They have lovable dispositions. Alpacas are easily trained to lead and are gentle enough to be handled by children. They are always a hit in a parade.
Q. Are alpacas dangerous?
A. Absolutely not! They are safe and pleasant to be around. They do not bite or butt and they do not have the teeth, horns, hooves, or claws to do serious injury.
Q. Alpacas spit, don't they?
A. Spitting is perhaps the least endearing feature of alpacas. It is one of the few defense mechanisms an alpaca has and is quite an effective deterrent. The material is basically regurgitated or recently chewed grass and it brushes off when dry. It does have a distinctive and somewhat offensive odor and it is best to avoid being a target.
However, it is quite rare that alpacas spit at people. It is normally used as a pecking order mechanism with other alpacas. If a human hit occurs, it is usually because the person has not read the signs properly when stepping between two squabbling alpacas.
Q. Are alpacas easy to care for?
A. They are small and easy to maintain, rarely overeat and require no extraordinary care. They should have basic shelter for protection against heat and foul weather. They do not challenge fences. They simply need shearing, worming, and vaccinations.
Q. Can I run alpacas with other livestock?
A. Alpacas can bond well with other types of animals. Naturally, alpacas and large aggressive dogs are not a good combination, but there are many cases of quiet dogs mixing well with alpacas.
Individual alpacas have been very successfully run with sheep and goats to act as fox guards. The alpacas tend to bond with the foster herd and they are naturally aggressive toward foxes.
If running with different livestock, alpacas will pick up the internal parasites associated with the other animals and should be put on the same worming regime.
Because of the risk of the alpacas being kicked, caution should be used if running them with cattle or horses.
Q. How much acreage does it take to raise alpacas?
A. They are an ideal small acreage livestock. You can comfortable stock between five and ten animals per acre. This makes the alpaca ideal for people who have only a few acres and who want the pleasure of a small herd and a healthy investment return.
Q. What do you do with the fleece?
A. Alpaca fiber is highly prized for its very soft feel (handle), high thermal properties, durability and variety of natural colors.
It is processed into high quality fashion garments such as suits, jackets, skirts, and coats. Sweaters knitted from alpaca fleece are soft, light and warm. Because of its natural warmth, it is also used as a continental quilt filling. Coarser fiber can be used to make car seat covers.
The international market for alpaca product is enormous with demand always exceeding supply.
You can join the Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association's (AOBA) fiber co-op Alpaca Fiber Cooperative of North America (AFCNA). The co-op is made up of shareholders that are alpaca breeders.
A few alpaca owners prefer to home spin their fiber. Commercial prices depend on quality with a premium paid for finer micron fiber. Sales to home spinners can be considerably higher.
Q. How do I get started if I want to breed alpacas?
A. There are a number of things to consider before launching into the breeding industry.
It is best to talk to an experienced breeder. At Destiny Alpacas you will gain lots of useful information. You can also join your regional or local alpaca association and AOBA.
If you are serious it is advisable to develop a business plan.
To be able to register your offspring you will need to become a member of the Alpaca Registry, Inc and apply for herd registration. The registry office can send you the appropriate forms. Join the Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association (AOBA).
Some people have bought a couple of geldings to begin with and once they feel confident that alpacas really are extremely easy to manage, they then take the next step to start a breeding herd.
For most breeders, they simply want to get going as soon as possible and enjoy the experience as they learn along the way. Destiny Alpacas can agist (board) your alpacas and provide hands on training while you enjoy the personal and financial rewards. Contact Destiny Alpacas and begin your adventure today!
