FAQ's provided by OABA.

Frequently Asked Questions About Alpacas:

What is an alpaca? An alpaca is a wonderfully fleeced animal whose color range includes white, black, gray, brown, and many colors in between. Alpacas originated in the mountainous regions of Peru, Chile and Bolivia over 6,000 years ago. They are thought to be descendants of a similar animal called a vicuna. The ancient Inca tribes began specialized breeding around 500-BC to produce specific fleece characteristics and color.

Alpacas consist of two distinctive breeds, each with a unique fiber type. The Huacaya (“wa-KI-ya”) type is more prevalent and has a fluffy “teddy bear” fleece appearance. The Suri (“SIR-ee”) type has a unique “dreadlock” fleece quality, with the fiber handing alongside the body.

Physiologically, the alpaca is cousin to the llama, but is smaller, and has finer fleece characteristics. On average, an alpaca weighs around 150-165 pounds, and is about five feet tall at the head. They are gentle animals that generally accept children very easily. An alpaca has very few defenses, so they tend to shy away from threats. However, like most animals, if you pay attention to them, alpacas can enjoy being around humans.

What do you do with an alpaca? The valued product of an alpaca is its fleece. The fleece is considered to be a luxury fiber, and has been measured to be seven times more insulative than sheep’s wool. Breeding programs in the past have focused on developing white fleece since it can be dyed to any color. However, breeders more recently have focused on developing the other natural colors as well. Alpacas have been exported to many countries including the USA, Canada and Australia, which are developing exciting industries around the breeding and fiber production of these animals.

Why raise alpacas? There are many reasons people choose to raise these exquisite animals. These include investment and profit potential; an enjoyable family activity as well as excellent husbandry opportunities. While all investments carry some degree of risk, alpaca husbandry can be very profitable, especially given the explosive interest in recent years.

How big are they? Alpacas range in size from 4’ to 5’6” measured at the head; however, the average height is between 4’6”and 5’. On average, they weigh between 150 and 175 pounds, but can exceed 200 pounds.

Where are they from originally? Alpacas are native to South America. Most are from the rugged mountainous regions of Peru, Chile, and Bolivia.

What kind of care of is needed for alpacas? While the maintenance can vary with personal preferences, alpacas generally do not require a tremendous amount of daily care. Routine daily care will include feeding, watering and manure maintenance. Monthly veterinary care will include general worming and possibly nail trimming.

How much land do I need? The rule of thumb is that 6-8 alpacas can comfortably fit on one acre of quality pasture land. The pasture should be mowed to prevent tall growth, and the land should be sparsely wooded, if at all. Shade should be provided, especially in hot and humid climates.

What kind of fencing do I need? Fencing around the perimeter of your property should be sturdy, and the mesh should be small enough to keep out predators. Common predators in North America include dogs, wolves, and coyotes. Although deer are not predators, they can transmit a deadly parasite called the meningial worm. Consult your veterinary to discuss the control of the meningial worm parasite.

How much does an alpaca cost? Prices range significantly depending on the animal’s quality, breed, gender, color, fleece, conformation, and other factors. The seller’s support also plays a major role in determining the price. However, the price for a breeding quality alpaca can range between $10,000 - $45,000. The cost can be much higher, depending on a variety of factors.

Do I recoup my investment by sales of the fleece? No, but fleece sales are a valuable secondary revenue stream. Currently, the demand for high quality alpacas exceeds the supply in the U.S., so your investment will usually be recovered through selling the offspring. NOTE: As with any investment, there is risk. Please thoroughly research before investing. You can do some of your research by visiting our members’ farms.

How often do you shear an alpaca’s fleece? This answer can vary depending on the climate of where your animals are kept. Typically, the animals are shorn once per year, and it is done in the spring.

Is there national support for the alpaca husbandry industry? Yes! We are fortunate to have several strong national organizations that support our industry. The Alpaca Owners and Breeder’s Association (AOBA) is our national marketing association. The AOBA Certified Show Division leads our alpaca show industry and the Alpaca Registry, Inc. (ARI) heads up our national herd census and database. Our fiber industry is promoted by the Alpaca Fiber Cooperative of North America (AFCNA). AOBA and it’s Show Division, ARI, AFCNA as well as ARI help set the direction of the industry in conjunction with breeders and alpaca owners.

How do you market these animals? There are many ways, but the most productive methods include joining and participating in OABA, advertising, hosting farm visits, and attending alpaca shows. You can learn about AOBA sanctioned shows by visiting www.aobashows.com. You can also learn about ALSA sanctioned shows by visiting www.alsashow.org/nshows.asp. Please be sure to read about OABA’s annual show, AlpacaFest!