- They're really expensive, aren't they ?
- What do you do with an alpaca. ?
- What do alpacas do besides grow fiber?
- Are alpacas related to llamas ?
- Can I have an alpaca as a pet ?
- Are alpacas environmentally friendly ?
[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 $500 to $1,000). 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, breeding history and to which
stud male she is mated. Females can be worth anything from a few 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.]
What do you do with an alpaca ?
[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 $500 to $1,000). 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, breeding history and to which
stud male she is mated. Females can be worth anything from a few 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.]
What do alpacas do besides grow fiber?
[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.]
Are alpacas related to llamas?
[Alpacas are very closely related to llamas. They are both from a group of
four species known as South American Camelids. The llama is approximately twice
the size of an alpaca with banana shaped ears and is principally used as a pack
animal. Alpacas are exclusively bred as fleece animals.]
Can I have an alpaca as a pet ?
[Most alpacas make very good pets if they are treated well and the owners are
realistic in their expectations. Like any livestock, the more handling they
receive as youngsters, the quieter they are as adults. Given time, most alpacas
will eat out of your hand and training them to lead by a halter is a
straightforward process.
Alpacas generally don't like being held and are particularly sensitive to being
touched on the head. They are naturally curious and intelligent and if you let
them approach you, rather than rush at them and expect an affectionate response,
the interactions can be very rewarding.
It is possible to have a single alpaca, but it is not a pleasant existence for
the animal. Alpacas are herd animals and are instinctively gregarious, as are
other domestic livestock. They obtain security and contentment from having at
least one other alpaca for company.
For this reason, it is usually recommended that two alpacas is the desirable
minimum.]
Are alpacas environmentally friendly?
[The alpaca's two-toed feet are soft pads protected on the top and sides by
toe nails. Unlike hard hooves, they leave the terrain undamaged. And as they
graze, they only nibble the top of the pasture grass rather than uprooting it.
By rotating between two or three pastures, there is always a fresh supply of
orchard grass..]
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