Alpaca Information

We have a page on our website dedicated to general Alpaca Information, but if you want to know what it is like farming alpacas, read on.

We bought our first alpacas in 2004 from a UK breeder, who gave us excellent back up and after sales service.  In 2005 we went to Chile and selected a further 20 alpacas to set up Laurel Farm Alpacas.   All our imported alpacas have passed the rigorous screening process of the British Alpaca Society, and we have since improved our herd with outside matings as well as using our own excellent herd shires.

We have competed at Alpaca Shows in 2006 and 2007 and have had a Reserve Champion Brown Female, Reserve Champion Brown Male, Champion Brown Female, and a number of other places at the shows we have attended.  This is in line with our stated objectives of encouraging the growth of coloured alpacas in the UK as against the current trend to encourage White animals.  One of the joys of owning alpacas is seeing the variety of colour, which they produce, which enables their fleece to be spun and knitted without the use of environmentally unfriendly dyes.

On a day-to-day basis, alpacas are very easy to keep.   They are happy grazing in summer, and apart from normal husbandry, like any other farm animal, they need very little attention.  In winter they need hay when the grass is poor, and can be fed supplement to ensure that they get all the vitamins and minerals that they need.

Birthing is normally straightforward and in summer  females usually give
birth between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. in the field.   In the unusual event that there are winter births, then the mothers  need to be brought in to a barn or shelter to ensure that the cria does not suffer from hypothermia.

If there are any worries, then a local shepherd or your vet will give advice and help if necessary.

Cria (baby alpacas) are normally weaned when they are between 5 and 7 months old or 25 kilos in weight.  This is because when breeding as a business it is normal for the female alpacas to be mated within two to three weeks of giving birth.  The gestation period is 11 months and she needs to have some time to regain her strength and make sure she is healthy for the new birth.  It is said that female alpacas are at their happiest when pregnant.

Most breeders keep the female cria and breed from them.   A good female with a good male is the best recipe for producing good youngsters, but even an average female when mated with a good male can give excellent progeny.

There is currently much hype about genetics in the alpaca industry, but in general the old adage still holds good – Put the best to the best and hope for the best!