FAQ

Why are alpacas so valuable?
Alpacas are fibre producers. Their wool, comparable to cashmere, is appreciated for its silky softness, its fineness and its brilliance. Their fibre comes in a beautiful range of natural colours - white, silver, all shades of grey and fawn, chocolate brown and true jet-black.
Where do alpacas originate?
The origin of the alpacas is South America where they were domesticated 5,000 years ago by the Incas.
What are alpacas called in South America?
The young animals are called "crias", the females "hembras", and the stallions "machos".
How many "crias" does an alpaca have?
One a year. The average gestation period is 11.5 months.
Are alpacas related to llamas?
Yes, alpacas are very closely related to llamas. They are both from a group of four species known as South American Camelids, together with guanacos and vicuñas.
To which size does an alpaca grow?
A mature alpaca is 80 cm to 1 meter tall and weighs 50 to 100 kg.
What do alpacas eat?
Alpacas are principally grazers but sometimes they enjoy casual browsing. In our regions they need hay in addition during the rich vegetation period.
How many alpacas can be run on one hectare?
The average carrying capacity is 10 alpacas per one hectare. Because they have pads, not hooves, the degradation of the land is minimized.
How long does an alpaca live?
The lifespan of an alpaca is 20 to 25 years.
Do alpacas need a lot of looking after?
Alpacas are, due to the harsh climate of their homeland, very tough. They are easy to care for and don’t need a lot of looking after. Other than annual shearing, deworming, twice-yearly vaccinations and an occasional trim of toenails and teeth, they require very little else.
How do you transport alpacas?
Alpacas are very stress-resistant. They stay calm when being loaded and during the transport itself and travel very well in a van, covered trailer or horse float.
Do alpacas need special fencing?
No. Alpacas very rarely jump and normally don’t try to break out, so there is no need for special fencing. A knot fence or sheep fence of 1.20 – 1.50m in height is sufficient.