Alpacas for all reasons

1. Alpacas for breeding: The UK and Continental Europe alpaca herd is growing rapidly. There are now around 17,000 in the UK alone, from less than 5000 animals in 2000. As part of farming diversity new herds are being established, requiring reliable sources of 'starter' animals. There are many herd development plans, from the use of top quality, usually white animals for commercial fleece production to specialising in coloured alpacas (22 shades from white to black) for users of naturally coloured fleece. To accompany this growth of breeding females some herd owners also offer stud services, from top quality males, to drive up the quality of the UK herd.



2. Fleece: There is now sufficient alpaca fleece available annually to support a number of professional fleece processors. These are manufacturing yarn which is in increasing demand for the production of high quality garments which are possible from the finest alpaca fleece with further markets such as socks for fleece of lesser quality. White (for its ease of dyeing) and black fleeces are preferred by commercial producers, while a healthy and growing demand from 'hand spinners' for naturally coloured fleeces provide further market opportunities.



3. Pleasure: Many people keep alpacas purely for the pleasure of having these attractive animals around, with the added benefit of their being efficient lawn mowers. In general this market is dominated by geldings (neutered males) because of cost implications. However, many 'pet'owners are captivated by the very attractive baby alpacas and move on to purchase females. 'Fancy' ie multicoloured females which though more expensive than geldings are lower in price than solid coloured females as their fleece is unappealing to commercial processors but attractive to hand spinners



4. Companion animals: Alpacas are compatible with horses. Two or three alpacas can provide companionship for a lonely horse or pony which may have been used by now grown up children.



5. Flock guards: Alpacas have a strong dislike of foxes and the introduction of a couple (or three) geldings to a flock of breeding sheep will significantly reduce lamb losses to fox predation. Alpacas have keen eyesight and hearing and will spot a lurking fox that makes the slightest movement. On doing so they will either make a loud alarm call (like a braying of a donkey) or will approach and stare at the fox until it backs off - or kick it if it holds its ground. Given that alpacas live for up to 20 years the sheep farmer, thus protected will significantly improve breeding economics. Alpacas are similarly effective at reducing free range chicken losses. One note of caution, alpacas are not keen on dogs; but they learn to tolerate the farm or pet dog.