WHAT IS AN ALPACA
	WHY RAISE ALPACAS?
	HOW DO YOU MANAGE ALPACAS?
	ALPACA BEHAVIOUR
	ALPACA REPRODUCTION

	Alpacas are members of the South American camelid family that includes: guanacos, vicunas, llamas and Alpacas.
	Alpacas and llamas were domesticated over 5000 years ago by the Inca civilization.   The Alpacas' cashmere-like fleece was used to produce clothing for the Incan royalty whereas the larger llama was used to transport cargo on steep andean trails.
	Alpacas' native habitat used to be far more extensive than it is today.  When Spanish conquistadores invaded Peru and Chile, the Alpaca found refuge in the high  elevations where they did not have to compete against the invaders' sheep.  Alpacas developed, as a consequence, an ability to live on low protein vegetation.  The result is today's Alpaca, a very hardy and adaptable animal that is mostly found in the Andean mountain range of  Bolivia, Chile and Peru.
	The Alpaca is a ruminant with three stomachs.
	Alpacas come in two varieties: the crimpy Huacaya whose fleece has a wavy quality that enhances its use in spinning and the locketed Suris that have lustruous fine fiber with no crimp.
	Alpacas live 20-25 years.

	Alpacas are amongst the rarest domestic livestock in the world.  There are fewer than three million in all of South America and only about 12,000 in North America.   The number of countries importing alpacas is growing and includes Australia, New Zealand and Canada. In Europe there are no more than 3,500 animals  spread mostly in England, France and Germany.
	Alpacas come in 22 natural colors recognized by the textile industry. The colors range from black to white with all shades of browns, fawns and greys in between.
	Alpacas are commonly raised for the resale of genetic/breeding stock and the sale of their precious fiber.  Alpacas can be raised as income producing breeding stock, pets, or as fiber producers.  Alpacas are one of the premier livestock investments, as there is a strong market for their offspring and fiber.
	People raise Alpacas because they can generate an income by breeding an animal that is not destined for slaughter, while producing a luxury product that is in high demand in the textile world.
	Alpacas are raised because all family members can become involved in the day-to-day care without any risk of injury. Alpacas are also raised because they require little care, little space and are gentle to their environment.

	These animals are extremely easy to care for because they are highly disease resistant and flourish in a variety of different climates.  They eat very little and almost always deliver their babies during the morning hours.
	Alpacas are very adaptable and hardy animals.
	Alpacas are shorn annually and can produce up to 5kg of premium fiber.
	Alpacas are ideal for small acreage farms.  It is not necessary to have an extensive barn. A minimal shelter against wind, sun and rain is all they require.
	A maximum of 20 Alpacas and a minimum of two is recommended per hectare.
	Alpacas cush when in transit (lie down) and can easily be transported in a minivan.
	Alpacas are browsers and are gentle on pastures because of their padded feet.  An adult eats approximately one kg of hay daily. Alpaca pastures are easy to keep clean because alpacas only use communal dung piles.
	Alpaca manure is odorless and low in nitrogen. It makes an excellent fertilizer.
	Equine pasture grass mixes are considered ieal for the diet of alpacas although it is recommended that a free choice mix of mineral be provided to the animals.
	Alpacas must be vaccinated once a year against clostridial diseases and dewormed regularly.  Further preventative treatments must be discussed with your veterinarian, according to your particuar environment.
	Alpacas must be shorn once a year, in the Spring, in order to prevent heat stress in the hot summer months and in order to have a fiber of suitable length for use by manufacturers and craftpeople.

	Alpacas spit mostly amongst themselves as a way of establishing or maintaining a pecking order.  Females will also spit at males when not receptive to breeding.   Spitting at humans is only a consequence of mistreatment or the response of   an animal in distress.
	Alpacas are easy to train and keep and are gentle around children.
	Alpacas are gregarious animals that communicate by humming and body language.
	Alpaca personality is split between their natural inquisitiveness and their shyness:   They come up to see what you are doing but do not like to be touched.  Eventually, when well cared for and accustomed to their caretakers, they will allow easy handling.
	Alpacas have an intelligence similar to that of horses and are, for the most part, non-aggressive.
	Alpacas are herd animals that must have at least another companion of the same species to remain healthy and happy.

	Alpacas are first bred at 12 to 18 months of age, have a gestation of eleven and a half months and rarely twin. Males usually start breeding at two or three years of age.
	Alpacas produce one cria per year and a newborn typically weighs between 6 and 9 kg. Babies stand and begin nursing within 30 minutes after delivery and usually reach 40 kg by their first birthday.
	Alpacas normally give birth in the morning hours.  This is a survival adaptation whereby the cria born in the morning has all day to dry and get the strength needed to survive the frigid Andean nights.
	Adult Alpacas weigh an average of 120 to 170 pounds, are 36 inches at the wither and can live up to 25 years of age.
	Pregnancy lasts 11.5 months and females are re-bred 21 days after delivery

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