Why Alpacas?

  • Alpacas are part of the camelid familyand are native to South America.  However they are adaptable to the Canadian climate and the majority of countries around the world.
  • An adult alpaca weighs between 110 and 190 pounds making them easy to manage even for a child. A cria (baby alpaca) is usually 14 to 20 pounds at birth.
  • Alpacas are very efficient grazers, therefore the cost to feed them is minimal. Normally seven alpacas can be maintained on one acre of land, making alpaca farming accessible to those with the smallest of acreages.
  • Alpacas are not aggressive and do not challenge fencing. The issue is not some much keeping them in but keeping predators out.
  • Alpacas prefer a three sided shelter over a closed in barn making housing them fairly reasonable.
  • They are hardy animals that have thrived for 5,000 years in the high altitudes of the Andes, so their health needs are minimal. They need annual inoculations and the occasional worming. Their toenails need to be occasionally trimmed and they must be sheared on an annual basis, usually in the spring.
  • Alpacas grow fibre three to seven inches and three to ten pounds in weight each year which can be considered your harvest.
  • Alpaca fibre is warmer and softer than wool.  It is lanolin free so those allergic to wool can often wear alpaca.  Due to the fineness of the fleece it normally is prickle free.
  • Alpacas come in 22 natural shades from white to fawn to grey to brown to black, so you can claim that no alpacas were dyed in the process and find a colour for every discerning taste.
  • Alpacas love the water and will often line up to be hosed down.  Or if you prefer you can set up a few kiddy wading pools to keep them cool on the hotter days. Trust me they love it and it usually provide amusements for the people watching.
  • Alpacas have a communal bean pile (meaning they all go in one or two places) making them very easy to clean up after.  The stuff coming out the other ends looks like and is normally the size of a coffee bean and has a fairly mild aroma.   While it should be cleaned up and removed from the alpaca pen on a daily basis to limit the spread of parasites it  can be spread directly in your garden or flower beds making alpacas very earth friendly.