About Alpacas

Alpacas were a cherished treasure of the ancient Incan civilization and played a central role in the Incan culture that was located on the high Andean Plateau and mountains of South America. Alpacas were first imported to the United States in 1984. Alpacas are now being successfully raised and enjoyed throughout North America and abroad. There are two types of alpacas - the Huacaya and the Suri.

Alpaca Facts
History of Alpacas:
Alpacas are part of the Camelid Group including Camels, Llamas, Alpacas, Guanacos and Vicunas.
Alpacas are native to the Andes Mountains of South America, primarily Peru, Bolivia, and Chile.
They were first imported to the United States from Bolivia in 1984.
They have been domesticated for over 5000 years.
The finest alpaca fleece was reserved for the Incan Royalty and has been known as "The Fiber of the Gods".
The ARI, The Alpaca Registry, Inc., was formed in 1989 and maintains a registry of pedigrees through DNA testing.

Physical Characteristics :
There are two types of alpacas: Huacaya, pronounced wah-ki-yah and Suri, pronounced surrey.

Huacaya fiber is dense, crimpy, and gives a wooly appearance.
Suri fiber is silky and resembles pencil-like locks.
An average life span is 20 years.
Average weight for an adult alpaca is 150-170 pounds.
Average height is 36 inches at the withers.
They have padded feet (like a dog) with two toes.
They have teeth on their bottom jaw and a hard dental pad on top for grinding their food.
They are semi-ruminants, have three stomach compartments and chew a cud.
They are alert, intelligent, and curious.
They are social animals and require at least one companion.
They communicate by humming and an array of other vocal noises along with body posturing.
They do spit---at each other---another form of communication, usually at feeding time to determine position.
Reproduction :
Average gestation is 11 months.
They have single births—twinning is rare.
A baby alpaca is called a cria (cree-ah)
Females are generally ready to breed at 18-24 months.
Males are generally ready to breed at 2-3 years.
Females are induced ovulators, which means breeding stimulates ovulation.
Usually bred for spring and fall babies
Females usually give birth during daylight hours (6am to 3pm).

Care and Maintenance :
Alpacas are easy keepers, requiring pasture, good grass hay, and pellet supplementation.
A three-sided shelter is enough protection from the elements.
They need routine nail trimming, de-worming, and sometimes teeth trimming.
Fencing is more to keep predators out, not alpacas in, as they do have a respect for fences. They do, however, love open gates!
They are shorn once yearly, usually in the spring or early summer in our part of the country. They will then be cool for the summer months and grow back enough fleece by the time cooler weather returns.
They use a common dung pile, which makes clean up easier. The manure is great fertilizer and does not burn, so can be used right from the animals to the flowerbed and garden.

Fiber Facts
GLOSSARY:

Histogram---a record of the fiber produced by an individual alpaca. Contains data including the micron count, fibers greater than 30%, standard deviation, and coefficient of variation.

Micron Count---The average diameter of 66% of a sample, which includes 2,000 measured fibers. In alpacas, average micron count can range from 15-45 microns. In adult alpacas, a micron count of 25 or less is desirable.

Standard Deviation---the amount of variation from the average within a single data set. SD is a measure of the uniformity within a fleece.

Coefficient of Variation---a measure of the uniformity within a fleece sample, expressed as a percentage and derived by taking the SD and dividing it by the micron count. A CV of 25% or less is desirable.

Fibers greater then 30%---those fibers in a sample that have a micron count greater than 30%. The lower the number on the histogram, the better.

Handle or Hand---feel or touch-the characteristics that are perceived by touch—softness, firmness, drapeability, fineness, resilience, in other words, tactile qualities.

Crimp---an organization or uniform waviness in an individual lock of fiber.

Crinkle---the waviness of a single fiber, as opposed to a uniform wave in an entire lock.

Staple---a measurement of sheared fiber obtained by measuring the natural fiber without stretching or disturbing the crimp. The staple length indicates the re-growth rates for generations from one shearing to the next.

Guard Hair---Hair that is longer, stiffer, and thicker that the rest of the coat, and which protrudes. Alpaca guard hair is usually hollow (medullated) and measures approximately 60 microns in diameter. Guard hairs in the blanket are considered undesirable.

Brightness---term used to describe the degree to which a Huacaya fleece reflects light.

Luster---term used to describe the degree to which a Suri fleece reflects light.

Fineness---the diameter of natural fibers measured in microns.

In Incan times, alpaca fiber was used to make clothes for the royalty and was known as "The Fiber of the Gods".
It is as soft as cashmere, yet lighter in weight, stronger, and warmer than wool.
Alpaca fiber comes in 22 natural colors.
Alpaca fiber contains no lanolin.
Alpaca fiber is naturally fire retardant.
It is in demand from hand spinners, knitters, and fiber artists for both the raw fleece and yarns.

Golden Age Alpacas - Home of Quality Alpacas

Alpaca And Beyond Farm Boutique - Where clothing, gifts, yarn and novelties items made from Alpaca fleese are available to purchase