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ALPACA FIBER - IT'S
THE FINEST
Alpacas have been bred for their fine, soft fiber for hundreds
of years. Alpaca fiber is the "cash crop" that alpacas provide their
owners. Alpacas are usually shorn once a year, yielding an average of 5 to 8
pounds of fiber per animal.
Alpaca fiber is valuable because it combines many positive
attributes into one fiber, including: It is very soft, uniform and warm and
has a natural, rich luster. Its natural colors in shades of white, black,
brown, fawn and grey, can be blended to produce an
infinite array of colors. Its unusual strength and resilience does not
diminish as the fiber gets finer. Its thermal capacity is greater than almost
any other animal fiber. It is naturally waterproof. Its cellular structure has
less "prickle factor" than many other fibers,
so few people are allergic to alpaca fiber. It does not contain grease or
lanolin, making it easier to clean. It is easily dyed, always retaining its
natural luster. Garments made from alpaca fiber are quite luxurious.
The Incas reserved such garments for royalty! It can be processed into either
worsted or woolen products. It can be spun, woven,
knitted and felted.
Alpaca fiber can be sold to hand spinners and fiber
artists. Fiber can also be shipped to one of several national fiber
cooperatives or mills to be processed into yarn and finished products. These
products are used by the alpaca owners and sold to visitors to alpaca farms.
The goal of the alpaca industry in the North America is to
build a herd large enough to support the commercial production of alpaca
products. Today, breeders work to continually improve the quality and quantity
of alpaca fiber, without compromising the health, conformation and
reproductive vitality of the species.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Alpacas migrated to South America over two million years ago.
Current theory suggests that alpacas are the domesticated descendants of the
vicuna. Like their cousins, the llamas, domestication took place about six
thousand years ago. Alpaca and llama breeding and husbandry reached its peak
during the 11th and 12th centuries AD as part of the Inca civilization. During
this period, llamas were bred as "beasts of burden" used primarily
by the peasants. Alpacas were bred for their exquisite fiber that was reserved
for royalty.
During the 16th century, Spanish conquerors took over prime
agriculture land to develop mining as the most lucrative business activity in
Peru. Shepherds, along with their llamas and alpacas, were relegated to the
high elevations of Peru, Bolivia and Chile. The struggle to live in this harsh
environment caused a significant decline in the numbers of alpacas. However,
in the 1920s, the appreciation for alpaca fiber experienced a rebirth. By the
1980s, alpaca fiber production became a strategic economic resource in Peru.
Today, Peru has over 85% of the world's alpaca population. It not only
protects alpacas as a natural resource, but also limits their exportation.
Until recently, alpacas were almost nonexistent outside their
native lands. Most people in North America associated the word
"alpaca" with a luxurious type of sweater. The few alpacas that
existed in North America prior to the 1980s were scattered in zoos and private
collections. A brief lifting of import restrictions in 1983 and 1984 allowed
the entry of Chilean alpacas. This brought the North American population to
some 500-600 head. After years of domestic breeding and limited additional
importation, there are currently around 40,000 alpacas thriving in the United
States and Canada.
CHARACTERISTICS
AND BEHAVIOR
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The identifying marks of the alpaca are compact size, abundant
soft fiber, a long neck and large expressive eyes. Alpacas usually
weigh between 100 and 170 pounds and stand about 36 inches at the
withers. Their padded feet allow them to tread lightly over the
terrain. Alpacas are ruminants, who enjoy grazing and browsing in
open fields. Alpacas communicate with a variety of quiet noises;
body postures and, on rare occasion, will spit when confronted by
extreme adversity.
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 Huacaya |
The two types of alpacas, huacaya and suri, are
distinguished by their fiber. Huacaya fiber grows straight
out from the body and has crimp. Suri fiber is straight and
tends to part along the spine and hangs from the animal much
like the hair on an Afghan hound. Huacaya alpacas outnumber
suri alpacas by about ten to one in both North and South
America. Fiber from both types of alpacas is prized for its
extreme softness, uniform fineness, warmth and strength. Its
natural colors range from white to black and include
beautiful shades of fawn, brown and grey. |
 Suri |
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Alpacas are
herd-oriented animals who prefer the company of their own kind. Even
so, their gentle nature makes them easy to handle by people who
understand their ways. While alpacas must become accustomed to human
touch, they are easily trained to a halter and lead. Alpacas are
usually raised as breeding and fiber animals. They also can be
excellent show animals and wonderful family pets.
PROVISIONS
FOR ALPACAS
Land and Shelter: Alpacas
are gentle on the land and efficient users of feed. A couple acres
of good pasture can support 4 to 8 alpacas. Alpacas are hardy
creatures that adapt well to all climates and have minimal
requirements in the way of shelter. Access to an open barn, a simple
overhang or a 3-sided shed is adequate shelter from the weather
during adverse conditions and provides shade during warmer seasons.
Feed: Alpacas
do well on a combination of pasture and clean, grass-type hay.
Overfeeding or dependence on protein-rich hays, such as alfalfa, is
unhealthy. Alpacas are sensitive to the deprivation of essential
minerals including, but not limited to, selenium and phosphorus.
Supplemental pellets can easily make up for mineral deficiencies.
Females in their last trimester of pregnancy, nursing mothers and
growing youngsters may require increased protein feed. Fresh water
should always be available, as should free-choice mineral salt.
Fencing: Alpacas
do not tend to run away, so keeping them fenced in is rarely a
problem. However, adequate fencing is critical to their survival.
Exterior fencing must be high enough to keep out all potential
predators, including neighborhood dogs. Interior fencing is used to
separate the herd at various life stages.
Healthcare: Although
generally hardy and disease resistant, alpacas benefit from
appropriate preventive medicine and ready access to a veterinarian
experienced in working with camelids. Health management programs may
include regular worming and vaccinations specific to the geographic
area. Selenium supplements may be required to prevent white muscle
disease. Vitamin D supplements will prevent rickets in winter-born
cria. Toenails need to be trimmed regularly and teeth should be
inspected and trimmed if they exhibit excessive growth. Alpacas are
sheared annually for their comfort and well being.
BREEDING
ALPACAS
Female alpacas are usually ready to breed between 18 and 24
months. If not pregnant, a mature female is almost constantly
"open" or receptive to breeding. Males typically are ready
to breed between 2 and 3 years of age. Open females and intact males
should be separated soon after weaning, since some young females
have become pregnant by precocious young males.
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Sexually mature females are induced ovulators and do not
exhibit estrus cycles typical of most domesticated animals.
Breeding is done in the prone position and usually takes at
least 15 minutes because the male dribbles, rather than
ejaculates, semen into the female uterus. While breeding,
the male makes a continuous "orgling" noise and
occasionally moves his front legs along the sides of the
female. The mating process induces the female to ovulate so
she can become pregnant. |
The gestation period is approximately eleven months and
almost always results in the birth of a single, healthy baby called
a "cria." A cria weighs between 10 and 22 pounds. A cria
usually stands and begins to nurse within minutes or a few hours of
birth. Cria are usually weaned between 5 and 8 months
REGISTERING AND INSURING ALPACAS
Nearly 100% of all alpacas in the US are registered with the
Alpaca Registry, Inc. (ARI). The registry requires blood typing to
document pedigree and to assure perpetuation of the alpaca as a
unique species. Alpacas are eligible for livestock insurance.
Registration and insurance are good ways to protect one's investment
in alpacas.
Note: The information on this page was adapted from a CALPACA
article written by Susan Stackhouse.
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