About Alpacas
Alpacas are members of the camelid famuly and originate from the Andes in South America, Chile, Peru and Bolivia. They were domestic some 5,000 years ago and still plat a major role in the economy of these countries. They are bred for their luxurious fleece, highly prizes by the ancient Incas, second only to cashmere for fineness.
Alpacas are intelligent, inquisitive and beautiful animals. They are naturally shy, but can become tame enough to eat out of your hand and be trained to lead on a halter. Yes they do spit, but mainly at each other and only at people if mishandled.
They are a grazing herd animal and are hardy and easy to keep. They have a gestation period of 11.5 months and theit young are called cria. They are best kept in same sex herds, but a femaile will live happily with a wethered male as a companion. Alpacas have to be sheared annually and need routine vaccination, worming and foot trimming. Alpacas have a stocking rate similar to sheep 3/5 per acre and can live with sheep, goats, cattle and horses, but must be introduced carefully. Wethers can be purchased from around £500 and a pregnant female will cost £4,000 to £12,000 depending on breeding, age and quality.
Fleece
The alpaca has been selectively bred over the last 5,000 years to produce a fibre which is second only to cashmere in fineness. It has a luxurious soft handle with a brightness not found in most other natural fibres, is hard wearing, and can be worn next to the skin. The fibre of an individual animal is assessed in fineness, handle, density, character, uniformity and crimp, in the case of the Huacaya, or ringlet or pencil formation of the Suri.
There are 22 shades of colour ranging from white, grey, brown, fawn and black, not to mention the multi or pintos so popular with hand spinners.
Mant things can be done with the fibre from luxury fabrics to rugs and ropes. There are various co operative groups which can process your fibre for you or you can learn to spin yourself, there is nothing more satisfying than wearing a home spun jumper from your own animal.
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