Outstanding Dreams Farm

Where do Alpaca originate?

They originate from South America, primarily Peru, Chile & Bolivia. This is where the center of the commercial alpaca textile industry lies.  They have been raising alpacas there since the Incan civilization. Since 1984 Alpacas have also flourished on farms throughout the United States because they are so adaptable.

Alpacas are closely related to camels & are classified as camelids, or "New World Camels". Alpacas have always been raised as a fiber animal.

Llamas are the closest relative & are used as pack or draft animals.

Care and Feeding of Alpaca

Alpacas are generally easy. They are thrifty eaters in comparison to most other livestock as they have a very efficient digestive system. Alpacas are ruminants, similar to cows, sheep, & goats.

Alpacas require roughly two & a half pounds of dry matter per hundred pounds of body weight per day. This includes forage in the form of either pasture or hay. They require very little in the way of a prepared feed, roughly eight to ten ounces per day.

Adult non breeding animals generally need only pasture or hay. Also, a mineral supplement should be available for them. Of course, fresh water should always be available!

Monthly we vaccinate against a parasite that deer carry, also we trim their feet. This is fairly easy to do & doesn't take very long, or cost much.

Alpacas are sheared once a year, in the spring. There are crews of professionals who travel farm to farm to perform this task. Some breeders do this themselves, although from what I've seen, this is best left to the pros!

Shelter & Fencing Requirements

In the way of shelter, nothing elaborate is required. A three sided run in shed is all that is necessary. Shade should be available with a fan in the hot summer months. Five to ten alplacas can be raised on a single acre of land!

Fencing is more designed to keep predators out than to keep alpacas from escaping!

In our area, stray dogs are the main threat. In other areas of the country, coyotes, cougars & bear can be a threat. (another reason to raise Alpacas in Maryland and Delaware!)

Other Fun Facts!

Fleece

Alpaca Fleece comes in 22 natural colors and only the white fleece is dyed if custom colors are required.

Alpaca Fleece does not contain oil or lanolin so the feel is luxurious, lightweight, and hypoallergenic. Each alpaca fiber has a hollow core that traps air giving the product a high insulating value that keeps you warmer than other fleece of the same weight.

Alpaca Poop!

If you've shied away from large dogs and animals because of the um, over-sized nature of their digestive output - you're going to LOVE Alpacas! Alpacas digest their food efficiently and produce pellet-size manure. Alpaca poop can be immediately utilized as garden, lawn and field fertilizer without the benefit of composting!

Even better, Alpacas choose a "bathroom" and always poop in the same spot! Expect growing piles of small poop balls. Now, because they are balls, they will ROLL! Wear gloves and clean up regularly, or you'll be chasing poop balls all over your field. (dogs and small children tend to think these are playtoys - so BEWARE!)

Alpacas Hum and Spit

Alpacas will spit at each other over issues of food, dominance, and protecting their young. They are also known to spit at humans during those rare occasions of extreme stress, such as the spring shearing. Alpacas make a delightful humming sound and will make a shrill bugle sound to warn the herd of danger.

LIFESPAN

15-25 years

AVERAGE HEIGHT

36" at the withers

AVERAGE WEIGHT

100 to 175 pounds or about one-half to one-third the size of a llama

AVERAGE GESTATION

340 days

BIRTH

Birth weight is usually around 15 to 19 pounds. Babies can often stand and nurse within 30 minutes to one hour. Infant mortality is very low.

Still have Questions? Contact Us!