Raising Alpacas for Spinning Yarn

Alpacas are small, domesticated relatives of the camel and are indigenous to the Andes of South America. The Incas who dominated much of the region in the 15th and 16th centuries used alpaca fleece for royal clothing. Since 1984, alpacas have been raised in the United States for their luxuriant fleece.

  1. Buying Alpacas

    • Instead of buying from the first breeder you visit, visit several breeders, feel fiber from each breeder's alpacas and see as many relatives of the alpaca you are interested in as possible. You and the breeder should discuss information such as health records; the health of crias, or baby alpacas; fertility guarantees; transportation fees; boarding fees; financing; and if the alpaca is listed with a registry such as Alpaca Registry Incorporated. Once you have chosen an alpaca, ask for a written contract from the breeder. The contract should include the breeder's information, your information, the alpaca's name, the alpaca's registration number, the alpaca's microchip number, the price and payment schedule, the delivery schedule, the transfer-of-ownership schedule and any guarantees or services.

    Farming Basics

    • According to the Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association, eight to 10 alpacas can live on an acre of land. The ideal alpaca farm includes an area for females, an area for males, an area for breeding, a quarantine area for sick animals and an area for taking care of the young alpacas. Fences divide the farm into these various sections, keep the alpacas on the farmer's property and protect the alpacas from predators. A guard dog and gun are also helpful for protecting the herd. Important alpaca equipment includes feeding bins, grooming tools, first-aid kits, ropes and halters, scales, water tanks, water buckets and trailers.

    Raising Alpacas

    • Raising adult alpacas largely consists of maintaining their health with proper diet, grooming, shearing, vaccinations and worming. However, some problems that can afflict alpacas include mange, bacteria and facial abscesses. If a cria is handled too much, it may become aggressive. Pregnant alpacas give birth after approximately 11 1/2 months. The cria begins standing within the first 15 to 60 minutes and begins nursing within the first two to four hours. According to Owning-Alpaca.com, alpaca mothers naturally wean their offspring between eight and 10 months, while many alpaca owners recommend weaning around six months. Weaned alpacas can be taught to walk on a halter and rope.

    Shearing

    • Alpacas require annual shearing. Shearing helps farmers assess their alpacas' physical condition, keeps the alpacas cool in the summer and provides fleece for yarn. Shearing should take place near the end of spring or the beginning of summer. Owning-Alpaca.com recommends starting with the lightest colored alpacas and ending with the darkest, to avoid mixing up their fleece.