What is the difference between a Suri and a Huacaya? Answer: The fiber. Suris have long silky locks that grow down from their bodies like dreadlocks. Huacaya have fiber that is crimpy and grows outward from their body, and they appear fluffy. Underneath the fiber, they are the same. Suris are the more rare breed, making up about 10-15% of the world's alpaca population.
Can I breed Suris to Huacayas? Answer: You can, but you should not. Each type of alpaca has fiber that is unique and valued for its own qualities. We want to keep the breeds pure. Most farms focus on one breed or the other. Some farms will have both types, but the two types are not cross-bred.
I want to buy a baby alpaca, a bottle baby. Do you have any for sale? Answer No. A Cria (baby) needs a stable environment, with their mother and known herd, to grow and thrive. If a mother is unable to produce milk, the cria will be bottle fed but still remain with their mother. Alpaca cria are weaned at about 6 months of age. We do not sell alpacas prior to weaning, unless we are selling them with their mother. From 6 months of age through the first year or so, sale is dependent upon whether the alpaca is sold with a friend or two (or their mothers), and whether they are going to an established and experienced farm.
I want to get a breeding pair. Short Answer: If you want to keep them together, No. Longer answer: If you purchase a male and a female, they must be kept and housed separately. And, each needs the company of other alpacas. We would recommend three females and three males. OR, three females and purchase breedings for them instead of purchasing males (which must be housed separately). If you are interested in more information about why genders should not be kept together, here is a document that provides excellent information.
Will a male llama try to breed a female alpaca and vice versa? Answer: Yes. Do not mix genders among camelids.
Can you ride an alpaca? Answer: No. They are not strong enough to ride. Alpacas only weigh between 150 and 200 lbs full grown.
Doesn't it hurt to shear them? Answer: No. In fact, not shearing would cause health problems for the alpaca, in that they would overheat. In most areas of the United States shearing before summer heat is essential. Alpacas are restrained during shearing, which prevents injury to themselves and the shearing team, and the restraint lasts for just minutes. Rarely does an alpaca get nicked during shearing. We have many videos of our alpacas being sheared and would be happy to share them with you.
Can I have one in the house, like a dog? I see that in videos on social media and it is so cute! Answer: No. Alpacas are livestock. They are not pets. They need to be with a herd, outdoors. Occasionally an alpaca farmer will have a situation where an alpaca needs to be indoors for a very short period of time due to illness or other special need, but that is indeed the exception and it is always temporary.
How can I protect my alpacas? Answer: Some people use guard llamas. Guard llamas can alert you and the herd when there is a predator threatening the livestock. They cannot necessarily dispose of a predator and may in fact be hurt by a predator. Other people use livestock guard dogs. Livestock guard dogs (LGDs) can defend alpacas against predators. We have Great Pyrenees livestock guard dogs. They live with our alpaca all the time, and their job is to guard the alpacas. We keep domestic dogs away from our alpacas and visitors may not bring dogs to the farm. Some farms may also use a donkey as a means of protection.
How much do alpacas cost? Answer: There is a wide range of prices for alpacas. If you are looking for breeding stock, you will pay more than if you are looking for animals that you will not be breeding. Some call those animals "pet quality", due to the fact that they may not be what farmers want to breed. Regardless, all alpaca fleece is usable; pet quality fleece may not be as fine as some other alpacas fleece. Alpacas may range from several hundred dollars for a "pet quality" animal, to tens of thousands of dollars for breeding and show quality animals.
How do we know which alpacas to buy? Answer: We encourage people to think about their goals. Are they interested in breeding and selling animals? In producing fiber arts or fleece products? In just having a small herd because they are great animals? Or a combination of several goals? Define your goals first, then buy alpacas that will help you meet those goals.
What do you do with the fleece? Answer: Some alpaca breeders process their own fleece and make products to sell. Others send their fiber to a mill and get yarn and/or products back from the mill to sell. Still others participate in co-ops, sending their fleece and receiving product back that they can sell. There are many mini-mills across the country, and a number of options for how to use your fleece.
Can one make money as an alpaca farmer? Answer: Alpaca farming is not a quick way to make money. Like any business, alpaca farming requires a well-thought out business plan. Alpaca farmers should be realistic in their planning, understanding that, like any new business it may take some time to make a profit. Most alpaca farmers do have other jobs and sources of income until they become established.
Are there other ways alpaca farmers can make money besides selling the fleece? Answer: Some revenue streams include the obvious: fiber and fiber products, sale of animals, breedings to your owned males, and boarding of other animals on your farm. Less known revenue streams include sale of alpaca poop (which makes an excellent soil nutrient), teaching classes about fiber arts, agritourism and special events. We encourage people to think creatively about their skills and interests and what kind of activities they would like to undertake. Some alpaca farmers have developed facilities for special events on their farms. Others take alpacas to weddings and birthday parties. Tours are also popular. On-farm stores can generate revenue when people come to your farm.