About Alpacas

Alpaca Breeds

Huacaya has a thick dense fleece growing perpendicularly from the body, with a sheen, or brightness, and a defined crimp. In great alpacas this can be found over most of the body, neck, head and legs. In good alpacas these qualities are found all over the blanket. 

Suri is a more rare breed, distinguishable by their long silky locks (dread locks) that grow parallel to the body. Of the population of alpacas, Suri make up approximately 3%.

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Alpaca Colour

The alpacas are remarkable in that they come in 22 natural colours from white through to fawns and browns and onto grays and black, Just think, no dying required. Learn More about the Alpaca Fibre colours here...

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Alpaca Requirements

Alpacas are very hardy, coming from South America they are used to a wide range on climatic conditions from -15 to + 30 degrees.

Alpacas love to be around other alpacas. For this reason we are always careful to ensure that they have another alpaca as a paddock mate.

They are intelligent if handled quietly, no dogs are required. As they get used to you they will come over to see what you are up to when you walk into their paddock.

Alpacas are great for either small or large farms as they are classed as a stock unit. Their requirements are very similar to sheep, without the need for dagging and fly strike control. They are fine behind sheep fences. Alpacas have padded hooves so they do not damage pasture.

Alpacas are shorn once a year and at this time we also trim their toenails and give them an injected drench, which helps to prevent mite infection. Shearing is also a good time to give them their 10 in 1 vaccination, which, along with the drench, they will need again in the autumn.  Alpacas use middens (dung piles), which keep the pasture clean and therefore reduce internal parasites.  We also recommend AD&E as an injection during the winter months. Cria born in the New Year will require an extra 2 shots.  It is advisable to check with your vet on animal health issues.

Gestation is a long 11.5 months (especially long when waiting for you first cria!). Alpacas are very helpful, most births occurring between 10am & 2pm, although there are often some outside this time frame. The females usually go back to the male approximately 2 weeks after giving birth. Female alpacas are induced ovulators so can breed all year round. Usually in the South Island we aim for births from October to April and avoid the colder times of the year.

Alpacas love a variety of pasture types. Sometimes we need to supplement with hay and nuts when we are a bit short of grass and sometimes supplement is required after birthing. This is only necessary if you do not have enough good quality grass.

The other things to be aware of are plants that are poisonous to alpacas especially Rhododendrons and Oleander in the house garden. There is a list of toxic plants available from the Alpaca Assn of NZ. Also Ryegrass Staggers, is a seasonal problem which some animals are more susceptible to than others.

The best advice we can offer all alpaca breeders is to become a member of our National Association, Alpaca Association of New Zealand www.alpaca.org.nz

We are happy to be of any assistance we can to get you started in the Alpaca Industry

Talk to us! Feel free to call us for advice about:
Alpacas | Alpacas as pets | Alpaca Fibre | Alpaca Farming!