How much acreage does it take to raise alpacas?
Because the animals require so little pasture and food, makes them an ideal small acreage livestock, you can comfortably stock between five and ten alpacas per acre depending on terrain, rain/snowfall amounts, availability of pasture, etc. This makes the alpaca ideal for people who have only a few acres and who want the pleasure of a small herd and a healthy investment return. They can also be raised on dry lot and be fed grass hay, if desired. Consult with your local County Extension Officer for specific local recommendations.
A. They are an ideal small acreage livestock. You can comfortable stock between five and ten animals per acre. This makes the alpaca ideal for people who have only a few acres and who want the pleasure of a small herd and a healthy investment return. • Q. What do you do with the fleece? A. Alpaca fiber is highly prized for its very soft feel (handle), high thermal properties, durability and variety of natural colors. It is processed into high quality fashion garments such as suits, jackets, skirts, and coats. Sweaters knitted from alpaca fleece are soft, light and warm. Because of its natural warmth, it is also used as a continental quilt filling. Coarser fiber can be used to make car seat covers. The international market for alpaca product is enormous with demand always exceeding supply. You can join the Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association’s (AOBA) fiber co-op Alpaca Fiber Cooperative of North America (AFCNA). The co-op is made up of shareholders that are alpaca breeders. A few alp
(Top) A. They are an ideal small acreage livestock. You can comfortably stock between five and ten animals per acre. This makes the alpaca ideal for people who have only a few acres and who want the pleasure of a small herd and a healthy investment return. Q12. How do you transport alpacas? (Top) A. They are stress resistant, load and travel calmly and can be transported in the family mini van, station wagon, utility vehicle, or horse trailer. Some breeders have been known to transport their alpacas in small planes. Once enroute, the alpaca lies down and enjoys the ride. Q13. What shelters or barns do alpacas require? (Top) A. Alpacas are native to the altiplano (highlands) of Peru and are used to a harsh environment found at 12,000 to 17,500 feet above sea level. The snow, freezing wind and bone chilling cold are familiar to these hardy animals. There are no barns for alpacas in Peru. They are put in corrals at night for protection from predators and to keep them from wandering away.
Because alpacas are so environmentally-friendly, you can usually raise five to ten alpacas per acre, depending on terrain, rain/snowfall amounts, availability of pasture, etc. They can also be raised on dry lot. Are alpacas easy to care for? Alpacas are small, easy livestock to maintain. They should have basic shelter and protection from heat and foul weather. They do not challenge fences. Being livestock, however, they do require certain vaccinations and must be on an anti-parasitic control program. Additionally, their toenails need to be rimmed every couple of months and their fleeces sheared off once a year. What do alpacas eat? The primary thing alpacas eat is just plain grass or grass/orchard grass hay. Alfalfa is discouraged or fed only sparingly, as it has a high protein content that can be unhealthy for the alpacas. One to one-and-a-half, 60-pound bales of hay will usually feed between 20 to 25 alpacas each day. Most alpaca owners give their animals some type of supplemental gr
