Alpaca
An alpaca (Vicugna pacos) is a domesticated species of the camelid family, originating from South America. Alpacas are herd animals and very curious and social animals. They are like llamas but smaller in appearance. There are two breeds of alpacas: the Suri and the Huacaya
(wah-kay-ya). We only have Huacaya on our ranch.
These beautiful animals are bred for their fiber which is similar to wool, but is warmer, softer and is hypoallergenic since it does not have lanolin. It is often referred to as a luxury fiber. Alpaca fibers come in many different natural colors (>15) and can be used to make numerous textiles, such as hats, gloves, clothing, and blankets.
Alpacas can live for up to 20 years. Their gestation period is around 11 months and typically results in a single offspring, known as a cria.
Up to 10 alpacas can be raised on a single acre. Alpacas are grazers, eating hay or grass, and require much less food than other animals of similar size. Alpaca only have lower teeth, so they don’t pull up the grass by the roots. They have a 3-chambered stomach and efficiently extract nutrients from small amounts of food. We feed them grains as well, to supplement the necessary vitamins and nutrients not found in our local environment.
Alpacas gracefully deposit their waste in a centralized location (although you should still watch your step). Alpaca manure does not need to be composted as it will not burn plants. Alpaca manure has a very low odor which makes it easy to work with.
(wah-kay-ya). We only have Huacaya on our ranch.
These beautiful animals are bred for their fiber which is similar to wool, but is warmer, softer and is hypoallergenic since it does not have lanolin. It is often referred to as a luxury fiber. Alpaca fibers come in many different natural colors (>15) and can be used to make numerous textiles, such as hats, gloves, clothing, and blankets.
Alpacas can live for up to 20 years. Their gestation period is around 11 months and typically results in a single offspring, known as a cria.
Up to 10 alpacas can be raised on a single acre. Alpacas are grazers, eating hay or grass, and require much less food than other animals of similar size. Alpaca only have lower teeth, so they don’t pull up the grass by the roots. They have a 3-chambered stomach and efficiently extract nutrients from small amounts of food. We feed them grains as well, to supplement the necessary vitamins and nutrients not found in our local environment.
Alpacas gracefully deposit their waste in a centralized location (although you should still watch your step). Alpaca manure does not need to be composted as it will not burn plants. Alpaca manure has a very low odor which makes it easy to work with.
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Telephone817-524-6959
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