Alpacas
Alpacas have a wonderful nature, they are docile and naturally curios. They are a hardy animal that adapts well to our climate. They communicate by body posture, tail and ear positions and a variety of soft humming noises. They warn each other if they feel crowded and spit at each other if necessary. 

The absence of horns and hooves makes them safe to be around and they are very easily trained to walk on the halter.  Alpacas stand at about 1m at the withers and 1.5m at the head. They weigh between 50-80kg and they live for 15-20 years. 

Feeding
Grass and small amounts of hay all year round, with supplements for young stock and during the latter stages of pregnancy and lactation.

Maintenance
Maintenance is minimal compared to nearly every other type of farm animal. Annual shearing, toe clipping two or three times a year, two vaccinations and occasional worming with a routine daily check is all that is normally required of the owner.

Breeding

The Females do not have a season, they are induced to ovulate by mating with a male and can therefore be mated at any time in the year. However most breeders keep to spring and autumn matings.

They have a gestation of 11.5 months. Babies are weaned at 6 months and females start breeding from 14 to 16 months and males start at around the age of 3 years.

Housing and Fencing
Although they are quite happy to live outside in any weather, some form of barn or open shed is a sensible precaution to provide shelter in the worst storms, shade in summer and for housing the newly born alpaca for the first few hours of its life in bad weather. Normal stock fencing is quite adequate. Alpacas are placid and gentle; and do not try to escape!

Health

Alpacas are very hardy animals and normally veterinary costs are remarkably low. The births are usually trouble free and take place during daylight hours, most often in the morning. (In the Andes this would ensure the newly born is up and dried off by night time).

Alpacas are remarkably good travellers. The normal way of moving alpacas around is in a horsebox or stock trailer. Once moving, the alpacas will sit down and enjoy the journey.