ALPACAS

Alpacas are members of the camelid(camel) family and are mild tempered friendly animals with an inquisitive nature.  Ask any alpaca owner and they will tell you they bring great delight to their owners.  I can sit for hours and just watch them in the pasture.

There are two different breeds of alpacas.  The huacaya(wah-KI’-ya) and suri (surrey).  They have one major physical difference and that is their fleece.  Huacaya fleece has crimp that gives them a fluffy “Teddy Bear” appearance.  Suri fiber clings to itself, forming beautiful “pencil locks” that hang down from their bodies in silky cascades.  We have chosen to raise suri alpacas because of their silky fleece and elegant appearance. 

Adult alpacas weigh between 100 to 200 pounds and are approximately 36 inches tall at the withers. Alpacas are easy to raise as they only require about 2% of their body weight in hay per day.  They require access to fresh water and free-choice minerals. Many breeders supplement their alpacas’ diet with additional grain. 

Alpacas are raised for their fine fleece.  The fleece is sheared once a year and each alpaca yields 5 to 10 pounds of fiber.  After only a little preparation, the fleece can be spun into yarn or used to make felt.  Alpaca fiber is known for its softness and the warmth it provides.  It has a wicking quality that pulls moisture away from the skin.  Many breeders are harvesting the fleece and turning it into quality made hats, scarves, mittens, and sweaters.