Education
Just starting out in the World of Alpacas?
Heres all you need to know.
Starting your own Alpaca breeding business
Starting an alpaca herd requires careful planning and attention to their basic needs and care. As Alpacas are herd animals, they will only fully thrive if you have 3 or more Alpacas. Unless you already have a herd, we sell 3 Alpacas at a minimum. To keep Alpacas, you should have suitable land with ample pasture, good fencing, and shelter to protect them from extreme weather. Alpacas need fresh water, hay, and necessary supplements to maintain their health. Regular veterinary care is essential for vaccinations and medical check-ups. When breeding alpacas, select healthy animals with good genetic backgrounds to enhance desirable traits like fibre quality and uniformity. Ensure that you keep detailed records of lineage, health, and fleece characteristics to aid in breeding decisions. Proper shearing and fleece management will ensure you can fully examine your animals and take care of any skin conditions. Engaging with experienced breeders and joining alpaca associations can provide valuable support and resources as you start your herd and when you choose to buy from Capital Alpaca, an award-winning alpaca breeder, it ensures that you will receive top-quality animals and exceptional customer support. Our alpacas are meticulously bred for superior fiber quality, health, and temperament, backed by a track record of accolades in the industry. At Capital Alpaca, we prioritize the well-being of our herd through rigorous health protocols and expert care, ensuring robust and resilient animals. Our commitment to excellence extends to our customer relationships, offering comprehensive guidance and ongoing support for new and experienced alpaca owners alike. With Capital Alpaca, you invest in not just an animal, but a partnership dedicated to your success in the alpaca industry.
Get to know Alpacas
Alpacas, native to the Andes Mountains in South America, are renowned for their soft, luxurious fleece, which is hypoallergenic and comes in a wide range of natural colors. They belong to the camelid family, along with llamas, vicuñas, and guanacos. Alpacas are gentle, social animals that thrive in herds and communicate through a series of soft humming sounds. They have a lifespan of about 15-20 years and are primarily bred for their fiber, which is highly valued in the textile industry. Environmentally friendly, alpacas have soft padded feet that are gentle on pastures and efficient digestive systems that make them low-impact grazers. Alpacas are divided into two breeds: Huacaya, which have fluffy, crimped fibre, and Suri, known for their silky, straight locks. They are relatively small compared to llamas, standing about 3 ft tall at the shoulder and weighing between 100-200 pounds. Alpacas are highly adaptable and can live in various climates. They are also efficient converters of food, requiring only about 1-2% of their body weight in food per day, primarily in the form of hay or pasture grass. Alpacas have a communal bathroom habit, using the same spot for defecation, which helps control parasites and makes waste collection easier. Their fleece is water-resistant, flame-resistant, and warmer than wool, making it highly sought after for high-end garments and outdoor clothing. Additionally, alpacas have a gentle and calm demeanour, making them excellent therapy animals and ideal for agritourism ventures. They have a wide range of vocalizations, with their most common sound being a gentle hum, which they use to communicate with each other. Alpacas love to sunbathe and will often be seen lying on their sides soaking up the sun in the summer, which many of us can relate to! Alpacas can come in 22 natural colours, from white and fawn to shades of brown, grey, and black. Despite their gentle nature, alpacas can be quite expressive, and if they feel threatened or annoyed, they may spit—a mixture of air and a bit of stomach content—at each other or occasionally at humans.
Alpacas are the weirdest and most wonderful animals, and would make an excellent addition to your farm!