About Alpacas

Alpacas were first imported into the United States in 1984. In South America they mainly are concentrated in the areas of Peru, Chile, and Bolivia. These areas make for a harsh environment for the alpacas. The days are very hot and the nights are freezing. Alpacas are also located in many other countries around the world.

Alpacas are a member of the camelid family, and are related to llamas.  They are smaller than the llama, standing at about 3 feet at the withers.  They weigh between 120 to 200 lbs.  There are two different types of alpacas; the huacaya (wa-KI-a) with a wool like appearance, and the suri which has a dreadlock appearance.  Most of the alpacas in the United States are huacaya. 

They range in 22 identifiable colors. Their fleece is finer and more has more luster than wool and compared to cashmere. It is 3 times warmer that wool and much lighter. Alpaca garments are sold around the world for their beauty, warmth and durability.

Alpaca herds were first started in the United States in the 1980's from imports from South America. There are over 5,000 alpaca farms in the United States with over 50,000 animals according to the 2003 ARI census. With over 41,000 of them being registered. The registry has been closed since the late 1990's. The price of an alpaca varies, depending on whether you want show, fiber or just breeding animals. The price range on females ranges from $10,000 to $35,000, depending on confirmation, background and production.

Alpacas are very docile animals and require little maintenance.  Alpacas use a communal dung pile which makes cleaning up very easy.  They must have access to fresh water daily.  Fencing is more for their protection against predators.  You should plan your pastures for future growth.  Laying out your plan in advance will help.  Males must be kept separate from females and one should always consider an area for juveniles. 

Orchard grass is an excellent graze for them. Fescue should be avoided. Do some research on this so that you can decide what is best for your area.

 Below is a chart showing growth potential for a herd.