About

Keeping Alpacas

The Animals

Natives of the Andes, alpacas are extremely hardy and readily adaptable to most climates, altitudes, ground types and conditions.

Alpacas are undemanding to raise and maintain:

• Clean and intelligent
• Easily transported
• Most WhyNot animals are halter trained and biddable to catch and lead
• Exist primarily on grass
• 4ft high stock fencing and a simple shelter are all that is required
• Alpacas co-exist happily with most other domesticated and farm animals:
• They are extremely tolerant of familiar family pets
• Trustworthy with children
• Frequently run with other livestock in the capacity of herd-guards, and are quick to chase off trespassers and predators such as strange dogs and foxes

The Fleece

Alpacas are outstanding fibre producers:

• Their wool is second only to silk as the world’s strongest natural fibre
• Alpaca is also one of the world’s warmest natural fibres. During two World Wars alpaca fleece was used to line the flying jackets of aircrews
• The softness of this very special fibre rivals that of cashmere
• Alpaca wool is hypo-allergenic
• Every year each animal produces up to four kilos of fleece
• Production is fully sustainable with fleece and offspring produced annually, generally over many years
• Coming in a wide variety of natural shades, from white through rose-grey, grey, fawn and brown to black, alpaca wool is marvellous for knitting, and makes up into luxurious fabric.