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Introduction to Alpacas
Some Basic Facts about Alpacas
The Alpaca
- Member of the camelid family - eg Llamas, Vicunas, Camels and Guanacos.
- The two types of alpacas are Huacaya & Suri.
- Lifespan of 20 to 25 years.
- Ideal for small acreages.
- Curious, intelligent and easy to handle and halter train.
- They eat pasture grass and thrive on low quality, low protein feed.
- They use a common dung pile and so reducing the spread of parasites.
- Need very little in the way of specialised fencing - mainly to keep dogs out.
The Fibre
- 22 recognised natural colours
- Bred for their fine, lustrous fibre which has remarkable insulating qualities
- The fleece grows about 150mm per year
- Shearing takes place once a year resulting in 3-4kgs per animal
- In Australia, alpacas are generally shorn laid down and restrained
Reproduction
- Females are mated at 12 to 14 months old
- Gestation of 11 to 11 1/2 months
- Their offspring are called Cria and they very rarely have twins
- Generally give birth in daylight hours
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Copyright 2010 Echo Beach Alpacas Adelaide Hills South Australia |
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