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Thoroughbred Livestock - The AlpacaThe alpaca is a type of thoroughbred animal that is growing in popularity in the United States. They are members of the camel family, closely related to the wild vicuna and wild guanaco of Peru, Bolivia, and Chile in South America. They are also closely related to llamas. About 5,000 to 6,000 years ago natives began domesticating the vicuna as a fiber-producing animal evolving in the present day thoroughbred. Small, very gentle and submissive, these animals are also very hardy, healthy, and easy to care for. The owner easily accomplishes most routine shots and other health maintenance procedures. The owner easily accomplishes most routine shots and other health maintenance procedures. Ask your Veterinarian for advice if you are unsure. Another source for information on raising any thoroughbred livestock is your local feed store operator. You should only have to call a Vet out for serious or complex medical problems. However, always use common sense with the animals' welfare in mind, and only take the actions you are comfortable with. These animals are also curious, intelligent and easy to train. They will pick up and retain many skills such as accepting a halter, being led, and loading in and out of a vehicle in just 4-5 repetitions. They are social animals and easily become dependent on their human owners.
There are currently about 6,500-7,000 of these thoroughbreds in the United States and Canada and the population is growing thanks both to their popularity and marketing efforts by organizations such as American Breeders Co-Op. Expect to pay from $1,000 (US) for pet or fiber males to over $15,000 for bred females. The animals grow from 16-20 pound babies called crias to 150-185 pound adults in about 11 months. Females can be first bred after they are 14-18 months old, and can be bred at any time of the year. Their life span is about 18-20 years. They can be raised on good pasture and grass hay with mineral supplements. Ask your Veterinarian or local feed store operator for advice on type and amount of feed required. They can be raised in almost any climate keeping in mind the animals' comfort in extreme heat or cold. A hobby farm is a perfect setting to raise your
alpaca.
Whether you're raising these thoroughbreds as pets or for profit by breeding or harvesting fiber, a farm or ranch in the country is a place to do it effectively. Whether raising prize-winning show animals or fiber-producing alpacas, the country environment offers more freedom, less congestion and adequate distance from friendly neighbors to raise your livestock than a suburban area.
More About Thoroughbred Livestock: Hereford Cattle
More About Thoroughbred Livestock: Palomino Horses
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Modoc Country Living - Raising Thoroughbred Livestock
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Alpacas have fine, soft and dense fiber for hair, and the hair fibers are very warm. The fiber has no-itch properties and appears in over twenty natural colors that do not have to be dyed. Average fiber production is about 4 pounds per year per adult and sells (in a clean state) for about $3 to $6 per ounce. Shearing is recommended every 1-2 years depending on climate. Because of all the varieties of un-dyed alpaca fiber colors, a major market for clean fiber can be found with weavers and yarn shops, both small and larger commercial concerns.
