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Website last updated June 2008 |
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Alpacas are a herd animal and are happiest with other alpacas.
The females are doting mothers and both males and females are very protective of each other and especially of their young. Nevertheless alpacas adapt to new surroundings and it is becoming common place to see alpacas in a flock of sheep or goats where they are proving invaluable as protectors of their adopted herd.
Alpacas are very alert, with excellent eyesight. A loud distress or warning call quickly sees the adults in a herd encircle the young to protect them from approaching danger. Much to the intruder’s surprise, the assertive leaders then approach with great speed, stomping, kicking, spitting or biting which soon gets the message across and sees the intruder fleeing for cover. There have been reports of foxes being cornered in a paddock and stomped to death.
Alpacas develop the same protective instincts and behaviours in a flock of sheep or goats. Ewes and lambs are kept together with the alpacas constantly on alert, patrolling and protecting. The problem of lamb and kid losses to foxes can be solved simply by putting an alpacas in with the ewes or does a few weeks before lambing or kidding and leaving them there until weaning.
While running with the sheep, alpacas need no special attention. Fencing suitable for sheep is more than adequate for alpacas. Pasture needs are similar to sheep.
Female alpacas are usually mated at 12 - 18 months of age or when they reach 50kg in weight. A non-pregnant female will sit in the company of a male, indicating her desire to be mated. Once pregnant, she will spit at the male - a useful indication of pregnancy.
A baby alpaca is called a cria. After a gestation of about 11.5 months the cria is almost always born in the daylight hours, usually in the morning. The birth is generally quick and trouble free. In most cases, the cria is on its feet and looking to suckle within the hour. Average birth weight is 6 - 8kg.
Cria are weaned at about 5-6 months of age at 35kg liveweight.
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Alpacas mate in the sitting position and usually takes about 20-25 minutes. |
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Alpacas are naturally protective of their “herd” whether it consists of alpacas, lambs or kids! |
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Alpacas sometimes spit at each other - these two are having cross words! |
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Showing density and crimp of an alpaca fleece. |
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Disclaimer:- All graphics, photographs, images and text remain the property of Blue Gum Alpacas, and may not be copied or otherwise obtained from this site without the express written permission from the said owners. While every effort is taken to ensure that all the information is true and accurate on this website, liability is neither expressed nor implied. |
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John & Judy McRae P.O. Box 9024, Picton 6229 Western Australia. Ph: (08) 9725 6268 Mob: 0449 578 612 EMAIL: bluegumalpacas@yahoo.com |
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~ Website created by Judy McRae - Blue Gum Designs. ~ |
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Member of the Australian Alpaca Association |
