| What's the difference
between Alpacas & Llamas? |
Alpacas and Llamas are very closely related.
They are both from a group known as South American
Camelids. The Llama is approximately twice the size of an
alpaca with banana shaped ears and is principally used as a
pack animal. Alpacas are exclusively bred as fleece animals in
Australia. |
| Do Alpacas spit? |
Yes, they do. It is primarily a defence mechanism and a
means of communication. Alpacas generally only spit at each
other and not at humans, however, it is possible to get caught
in the crossfire. |
| Do you shear
Alpacas? |
Yes, Alpacas are shorn once a year, usually in Spring. The
preferred method of shearing is to lie the animals on their
side and restrain their legs with a tether at each end. This
protects both the shearer and the alpaca from being
accidentally cut. One side of the animal is shorn and it is
then rolled over and shorn on the other side. |
| What do you do with
Alpacas? |
Alpacas can be kept for their fleece, as herd guards
for sheep during lambing season or simply as pets. The number
kept will depend on the reason for owning them and,
ultimately, the size of the property.
There is also a show
circuit for comparing each breeders animals against each
other. These are a lot of fun and also provide an avenue for
more learning as well as socialising. |
| What are the fencing
requirements? |
Alpacas are very easy on fences. They don't tend to lean on
them or try to jump them (unless extremely stressed or
frightened). Fencing suitable for sheep is fine for Alpacas
but try to avoid the use of barbed wire. |
| What do Alpacas
eat? |
Alpacas mainly graze but also like to browse and will feed
on a variety of plants and trees as well. They should be kept
on good quality pasture with access to hay. Alpaca muesli mix
can be fed as a supplement - they love this stuff so very
handy for training them to eat out of your hand. Obviously
fresh water must always be available. |
| Are Alpacas easy to look
after? |
Alpacas are very easy to look after. They do not need
crutching or muelsing and are not affected by footrot or
flystrike. They will require vaccinating twice per year. At
shearing, the shearer will also trim toenails and check the
condition of the teeth. Worming regimes differ between
breeders depending on where they live so this is something to
discuss with your breeder. |
| How long do Alpacas live
for? |
In their home country of South America, Alpacas live for
around 20 years. Australian Alpacas have the luxury of a
better diet and improved husbandry procedures so there is no
difinitive answer to this question. Some of the first Alpacas
imported some 20 years ago are still going strong. It is not
unusual for a female to still be capable of sustaining a
pregnancy and successfully raising a cria at 18 years of
age. |
| Alpacas are
really expensive aren't they? |
No! Definitely not. When Alpacas were first imported into
Australia, they were very expensive due to the importation and
quarantine costs and the fact that there were few animals in
the country. Now, there are more animals so prices have come
down accordingly. A couple of pet wethers can be purchased for
under $1000 and a breeding female can start from as low as
$1000 depending on her age, quality and pregnancy status, with
the average being around $3000 - $4000. Many breeders will
sell group lots of animals cheaper than the sum of their
individual prices ("packages") |
| How do Alpacas get on with other
animals? |
Alpacas are great protectors so are often run with sheep,
chickens and goats to stave off attacks by foxes. Care should
be taken with horses and cattle as their sheer size could
unintentionally injur an Alpaca.
Alpacas don't generally
like dogs and cats as they see them as a threat, however, they
will soon learn which ones belong on the property (and thus
tolerate them), and which ones
don't. |
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