Double “E” Alpacas

The Alpaca Story

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Alpacas are the oldest domesticated animals in the world and are native to South America. They were raised by the Inca Indians of Peru for their fine luxurious fibre. When the Spanish Conquistadors invaded South America they destroyed alpacas by the thousands. Alpacas were an unfamiliar animal and they did not want this animal competing with their wool producing sheep. The alpacas that survived this slaughter were moved higher up into the Andes Mountains away from the Spanish invaders. So for the last 500 years alpacas have survived in extremely high altitudes, existing on very poor quality feed.

While this may seem to be less than ideal conditions, the alpaca has survived and grown in numbers until Peru has developed a viable textile industry, producing high quality textiles, sought after world wide in the fashion industry.

The alpaca has many unique characteristics:

	adults weigh between 120-175 pounds and stand about 3 feet tall at the withers with the neck extending above that
	cria (babies) weigh about 15-20 pounds at birth
	cria are usually born during daylight hours
	mothers do not lick their cria but allow them to dry in the sunshine
	gestation period is 11-11 ½ months
	females do not have a heat cycle but are induced ovulators so can be bred at any time of the year
	their communication is a soft humming sound
	their feet have a soft pad similar to a dog and with 2 toe nails on each foot (toe nails need trimming)
	members of the camelid family and have a split lip like a camel
	very disease resistant
	use a common dung pile
	an alpaca produces 5-15 pounds of fleece annually
	intelligent and easy to train
	gentle enough for young children to be around
	is a ruminant with 3 stomachs
	easy to transport in trailer, truck or van as they lay down when moving

Alpaca Facilities

	a three sided shelter is adequate in some localities, however in South East Saskatchewan we prefer to have a barn with a lean-to on each side to provide protection from the summer sun and winter winds
	straw or rubber matting to provide a clean, warm surface to lie on in winter
	4 to 5 foot high fencing, to keep predators such as coyotes and stray dogs out of the alpaca pastures
	field fence works well to keep all sizes of predators out and the alpacas don’t get hurt in the fence

Caring For Alpacas

	good quality hay, about 2-3 pounds per alpaca per day
	grain or pelleted ration (about 1 pound per alpaca per day)
	the amount of feed required is proportionate to quality of feed, conditioning of individual alpacas, outdoor temperatures and wind chill factor
	free choice minerals unless using a prepared feed with minerals included
	fresh supply of clean water
	shearing once a year
	trimming toenails 2-4 times a year depending on the alpaca and the walking surface
	trimming teeth on some animals (usually done at shearing time)
	trimming fighting teeth on males at about 2 years of age
	yearly 8 way vaccination
	at least twice yearly treatment for parasite control
	vitamin A&D shots for young alpacas
	training sessions on a halter for adequate control of your alpaca (the more time you spend, the better trained it will be)

We love our alpacas, love working with them and love to talk about them.
They are an investment you can hug that will put a smile on your face, lower your blood pressure and relieve the stress of our busy lives.
"Contact us" for more information.

Edwin & Elaine Wyatt
Box 638
Broadview, Saskatchewan
Canada S0G 0K0
(306) 696-2882
doubleealpacas@xplornet.com

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Double “E” Alpacas

The Alpaca Story

Copyright © 2002 by [Double "E" Alpacas]. All rights reserved. Revised: 07 Jun 2008 19:38:54 -0400 . (Site designed by L. Horne)

Copyright © 2002 by [Double "E" Alpacas]. All rights reserved.
Revised: 07 Jun 2008 19:38:54 -0400 .
(Site designed by L. Horne)