Alpaca Information
If you are interested in alpacas and would like to know more about their origins and background, Laurel Farm can provide you with a great deal of alpaca information. We have the entire section below our site which is devoted to providing you with all the alpaca information you could possibly wish for. You can find out everything from which animal family they originate from to what is involved in the husbandry of Alpacas.
Llamas and alpacas are members of the camel family, Camelidae, of which there are six living species. The ancestors of today’s camelids evolved in North America between 11 and 9 million years ago, and spread to South America three million years ago. Alpacas are descended from the wild Vicuña, whose fibre was greatly prized amongst the Incas. Unfortunately, the Spanish Conquest was responsible for destroying many alpacas and vicunas, as well as the Incan civilization, its knowledge of husbandry, and the ability to breed animals with very fine fleece and good conformation.
Despite this, alpacas have continued to be the mainstay of life in the Andes, supplying meat and fibre for textile production for its people as well as cash from the mills spinning in bulk from the larger producers.
Recognition of a new world market for alpaca fibre and breeding stock outside South America has led to an increase in the size of the native herds for export as well as for producing fibre for the local mills. The mills generally offer premium price for white and fawn fleeces, and so breeding programmes have been geared towards producing these colours of alpaca—to the detriment of the other lovely natural colours including black, brown, and grey. Some breeders, like Laurel Farm, are interested in redressing the balance in the UK herd by concentrating on the rich dark colours which occur naturally in alpacas.
The Chilean alpaca industry has gone through some major changes in the last ten years. The development of co-operatives amongst some farmers has meant that for the first time many alpacas are being properly selected and bred for conformation and advanced fleece types. This is a far cry from the days when lower quality alpacas were first imported into the UK from Chile. White alpacas for sale are being bred, and Chilean breeders offer superb coloured animals which can be used enhance the genetic pool in the UK.
The UK herd is still very small and so the main aim is to increase the size of the national herd from its present 12–15,000 so that eventually there can be commercially viable herds for fibre production as well as studs dedicated to the improvement of breeding stock. Wethers (neutered males) are often sold as pets and as alpacas can be halter trained they can be freely led around at home or at shows. Some people actually go trekking with their alpacas, although this is more usual with Llamas.
Alpacas are generally easy to care for. They are induced ovulaters who produce one cria (baby) per year and can be mated within three to four weeks of giving birth. In this country, due to our wet and windy winters, alpaca breeding normally takes place from April to October. Births normally take place during daylight hours. They need to be carefully supervised to ensure that help is on hand should a birth become complicated and the new offspring need to be watched for any signs of distress, and to ensure the new cria is feeding regularly. Alpacas are curious animals and should be checked several times a day to ensure that their curiosity does not get them into trouble. For example they can get their heads stuck in fencing or netting whilst investigating the other side!
Husbandry includes routine vaccinations, worming, toenail clipping, and shearing. In the UK it is also recommended that the animals have vitamin and mineral supplements to compensate for the lack of sunlight.
Their staple diet is grass, hay and a supplementary feed which can be added to ensure that they have a completely balanced diet.
Ear tags and micro chipping is required for alpacas who are registered with the British Alpaca Society. This can be carried out by the breeder or by a Veterinary Surgeon.
A herd of alpacas in your paddock is a beautiful, relaxing sight, and well worth the time invested in their well being.
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