alps:alpacas

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alps:alpacas [2025/12/04 15:55] – [Meat production & slaughter] Dave Darbyalps:alpacas [2026/03/26 18:33] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1
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-# Alpacas+This topic is part of [[gt:gardening|Gardening, smallholding & farming]]. 
 +====== Alpacas ======
  
  
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-## What are alpacas? +===== What are alpacas?  =====
  
 Alpacas, along with camels and llamas, are members of the Camelid family and are the domesticated descendants of the vincuñya of the Andes. Alpacas have evolved to live in alpine areas at high altitude so are extremely hardy. They are grazing animals and naturally live in family groups of one male and around 10 females. Domesticated in Peru by 6,000 years ago, they were highly prized for their fine fleece, as well as providing meat, hide and fuel. Alpacas, along with camels and llamas, are members of the Camelid family and are the domesticated descendants of the vincuñya of the Andes. Alpacas have evolved to live in alpine areas at high altitude so are extremely hardy. They are grazing animals and naturally live in family groups of one male and around 10 females. Domesticated in Peru by 6,000 years ago, they were highly prized for their fine fleece, as well as providing meat, hide and fuel.
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 ![](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/5532971618_a4c5311afa.jpg) ![](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/5532971618_a4c5311afa.jpg)
 <caption> <caption>
-An alpaca in Peru. Pic: [whl.travel](https://www.flickr.com/photos/whltravel/), [creative commons](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/)+_An alpaca in Peru. Pic: [whl.travel](https://www.flickr.com/photos/whltravel/), [creative commons](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/)_
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-## What are the benefits of keeping alpacas?+===== What are the benefits of keeping alpacas? =====
  
 Alpacas produce a silky, lustrous fibre, both softer and warmer than sheep's wool. Alpaca wool doesn't itch and is ideal for people who are allergic to sheep's wool. There is also an argument that they offer a less environmentally-damaging way to produce fibre than sheep. Their efficient metabolism does mean they need less land, and the way they graze and the softness of their feet may be less damaging to the pasture. At the very least they can produce natural fibre locally on a small scale. An alpaca can live around 20 years, producing fleece every year. You can also use their dung for compost, or even fuel; they (very usefully) always poo in the same place in the field making a nice easy pile to collect. Alpacas produce a silky, lustrous fibre, both softer and warmer than sheep's wool. Alpaca wool doesn't itch and is ideal for people who are allergic to sheep's wool. There is also an argument that they offer a less environmentally-damaging way to produce fibre than sheep. Their efficient metabolism does mean they need less land, and the way they graze and the softness of their feet may be less damaging to the pasture. At the very least they can produce natural fibre locally on a small scale. An alpaca can live around 20 years, producing fleece every year. You can also use their dung for compost, or even fuel; they (very usefully) always poo in the same place in the field making a nice easy pile to collect.
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 ![A herd of male alpacas at bobcat alpacas](https://www.lowimpact.org/wp-content/uploads/DSC_9457-1024x655-1.jpg) ![A herd of male alpacas at bobcat alpacas](https://www.lowimpact.org/wp-content/uploads/DSC_9457-1024x655-1.jpg)
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- A herd of male alpacas.+ _A herd of male alpacas._
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-## What can I do?+===== What can I do? =====
  
-### Getting started+==== Getting started ====
  
 The community of alpaca breeders in the UK are friendly and helpful. Many alpaca farms welcome visitors and will be happy to share their knowledge. Visiting a few alpaca keepers and chatting to them about what is involved is a great way to get started. If you are considering breeding alpacas, or producing fibre, it is especially important to get the advice of an experienced person to ensure you obtain good quality stock. You can find local groups courses and breeders through the [British Alpaca Society.](http://www.bas-uk.com/) The community of alpaca breeders in the UK are friendly and helpful. Many alpaca farms welcome visitors and will be happy to share their knowledge. Visiting a few alpaca keepers and chatting to them about what is involved is a great way to get started. If you are considering breeding alpacas, or producing fibre, it is especially important to get the advice of an experienced person to ensure you obtain good quality stock. You can find local groups courses and breeders through the [British Alpaca Society.](http://www.bas-uk.com/)
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 ![A Male Huacaya alpaca](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/DSC_9448-e1527794957161.jpg) ![A Male Huacaya alpaca](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/DSC_9448-e1527794957161.jpg)
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- A male Huacaya alpaca.+ _A male Huacaya alpaca._
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-### Grazing and shelter+==== Grazing and shelter ====
  
 On good quality grass you can keep 5 alpacas on an acre. Alpacas are extremely hardy; their thick fleece is designed to protect them from freezing nights high in the Andes. Alpaca fleece is not water-repellent like a sheep's but is so thick and dense that rain does not penetrate it. They can therefore easily live out all year round, but should be provided with an open-fronted field shelter which they can use at will. Alpacas can jump but rarely try to escape and do not challenge fences; Stock fencing of 4 feet high is sufficient. On good quality grass you can keep 5 alpacas on an acre. Alpacas are extremely hardy; their thick fleece is designed to protect them from freezing nights high in the Andes. Alpaca fleece is not water-repellent like a sheep's but is so thick and dense that rain does not penetrate it. They can therefore easily live out all year round, but should be provided with an open-fronted field shelter which they can use at will. Alpacas can jump but rarely try to escape and do not challenge fences; Stock fencing of 4 feet high is sufficient.
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 ![A 2-day old cria at Bobcat Alpacas](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/20626094_1432140270235243_1844111629053259739_o-e1527796427538.jpg) ![A 2-day old cria at Bobcat Alpacas](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/20626094_1432140270235243_1844111629053259739_o-e1527796427538.jpg)
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- A 2-day old baby alpace, or 'cria'.+ _A 2-day old baby alpace, or 'cria'._
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-### Feeding+==== Feeding ====
  
 Alpacas need grass and good quality hay or haylage, and require little supplemental feeding. Females in late pregnancy or youngsters may require some additional concentrated feeds. Compound feeds, specifically formulated for alpacas can be purchased, or they can be given sugar-beet, alfalfa or small amounts of grains. Grass nuts are often given as a treat and are useful to train them to come running at the sight of a feed bucket. Alpacas need grass and good quality hay or haylage, and require little supplemental feeding. Females in late pregnancy or youngsters may require some additional concentrated feeds. Compound feeds, specifically formulated for alpacas can be purchased, or they can be given sugar-beet, alfalfa or small amounts of grains. Grass nuts are often given as a treat and are useful to train them to come running at the sight of a feed bucket.
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 ![A suri alpaca.](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/DSC_9454-e1527795818942.jpg) ![A suri alpaca.](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/DSC_9454-e1527795818942.jpg)
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- A Suri alpaca.+ _A Suri alpaca._
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-### Keeping alpacas with other animals+==== Keeping alpacas with other animals ====
  
 Alpacas generally mix well with other livestock and are often kept as guard animals, however, they should always be allowed the company of their own kind. If alpacas are kept with sheep or cows extra care should be taken to monitor the parasite burden of the pasture (see below). Alpacas can be infected with the same intestinal parasites as both sheep and cows. Alpacas may even be more susceptible to these parasites as they are less prevalent high in the Andes, so alpacas have not had to evolve resistance to them. Alpacas generally mix well with other livestock and are often kept as guard animals, however, they should always be allowed the company of their own kind. If alpacas are kept with sheep or cows extra care should be taken to monitor the parasite burden of the pasture (see below). Alpacas can be infected with the same intestinal parasites as both sheep and cows. Alpacas may even be more susceptible to these parasites as they are less prevalent high in the Andes, so alpacas have not had to evolve resistance to them.
  
-### Fibre production+==== Fibre production ====
  
 Alpaca fleece produces a very soft, silky fibre  which is also valued for its lustre or sheen. Suri Alpaca fibre, in particular, has a deep lustre and handles like silk rather than wool. Many small-scale alpaca keepers, if they are not processing the fibre themselves, sell the fleeces to hand spinners. Others send the fleece to small mills for processing. These mills will often process individual fleeces allowing you to sell yarn from a specific alpaca in your herd. Alpaca fleece produces a very soft, silky fibre  which is also valued for its lustre or sheen. Suri Alpaca fibre, in particular, has a deep lustre and handles like silk rather than wool. Many small-scale alpaca keepers, if they are not processing the fibre themselves, sell the fleeces to hand spinners. Others send the fleece to small mills for processing. These mills will often process individual fleeces allowing you to sell yarn from a specific alpaca in your herd.
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 ![](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/18403079_1337230413059563_378190604108856527_n.jpg) ![](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/18403079_1337230413059563_378190604108856527_n.jpg)
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- Alpaca yarn from individual animals.+ _Alpaca yarn from individual animals._
 </caption> </caption>
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-### Health+==== Health ====
  
 Alpacas are generally hardy and healthy, tending to suffer from fewer problems than sheep for example. It is important to check your animals every day and become familiar with their normal behaviours. Alpacas have a reputation for being stoical, making it difficult to spot problems early unless you know your herd well. As with all livestock, make sure you have a good vet who can be contacted in an emergency.\` Alpacas are generally hardy and healthy, tending to suffer from fewer problems than sheep for example. It is important to check your animals every day and become familiar with their normal behaviours. Alpacas have a reputation for being stoical, making it difficult to spot problems early unless you know your herd well. As with all livestock, make sure you have a good vet who can be contacted in an emergency.\`
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-### Meat production & slaughter+==== Meat production & slaughter ====
  
 It is worth knowing, given the strong community there is among alpaca keepers, that many alpaca breeders are strongly against the use of alpacas for meat production and do not wish to see alpacas bred for this purpose. Abattoirs may not be used to dealing with alpacas and may be unwilling to take them, especially in small numbers. It is worth knowing, given the strong community there is among alpaca keepers, that many alpaca breeders are strongly against the use of alpacas for meat production and do not wish to see alpacas bred for this purpose. Abattoirs may not be used to dealing with alpacas and may be unwilling to take them, especially in small numbers.
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-### Paperwork+==== Paperwork ====
  
 If you keep alpacas, you need to register the land where you’re keeping them with the relevant agency, which depends on where in the UK you live. You do not need a herd number and there are currently no regulations in terms of identifying and tagging your animals. There are also no regulations on recording the movement of animals on and off your holding, though there are voluntary schemes you can sign up to. It is likely this will change in the future, so do check. See DEFRA’s guidelines for more information. If you keep alpacas, you need to register the land where you’re keeping them with the relevant agency, which depends on where in the UK you live. You do not need a herd number and there are currently no regulations in terms of identifying and tagging your animals. There are also no regulations on recording the movement of animals on and off your holding, though there are voluntary schemes you can sign up to. It is likely this will change in the future, so do check. See DEFRA’s guidelines for more information.
  
  
 +===== Forum =====
  
-## Further resources+This topic belongs to the section [[gt:gardening|Gardening, smallholding & farming]]. You can ask questions or add information on the corresponding [Forum section](https://forum.growingthecommons.org/t/gardening).
  
 +===== Further resources =====
  
-## Specialist(s)+- [British Alpaca Society.](http://www.bas-uk.com/) 
 +- [[wp>Alpaca]] 
 + 
 +===== Related topics ===== 
 + 
 +- [Spinning](spin:spinning) 
 +- [Skins & hides](skin:skins) 
 +- [Goats](goat:goats) 
 +- [Fences](fenc:fences) 
 +- [Keeping livestock](livs:livestock) 
 +- [Felt making](felt:felt_making) 
 +- [Sheep](shep:sheep) 
 +- [Meadows, grass & pasture](mdws:meadows) 
 + 
 +===== Specialist curators of this topic ===== 
 + 
 +{{tag>[animals]}}
  
  
  • alps/alpacas.1764863713.txt.gz
  • Last modified: 2025/12/04 15:55
  • by Dave Darby