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| Barron Hill |
Barron Hill Alpacas |
| About Alpacas |
ABOUT ALPACAS Alpacas are considered
to be one of the finest livestock investments. They are in strong
demand, unique, and the textiles produced from their valuable fiber
is exquisite. Their market continues to grow steadily and the lifestyle
these lovely animals provide is unmatchable. Breeding and caring
for alpacas is a labor of love with great and profitable return...and
these creatures bring us great joy. Alpacas are a South American relative of the camel. As of 1998, they were no longer imported into the United States. They are extremely gentle, intelligent, intuitive, easy to train and clean. There are two different types of alpacas--Huacaya's and Suri's. Huacaya's produce a fleece that is very dense, tightly crimped and and grows perpendicular to the the body. A high quality Huacaya can produce as much as 12 pounds of fiber each year. Suri's possess a 'yarn-like' type of fleece that is very long and defined....it's lustre is the desired trait in the textile industry. Female alpacas are first bred anywhere from 16-24 months of age. They are induced ovulators and can be bred at any time of year...their gestation period is 11 months. It is best to plan birthings for spring when the temperatures are moderate. Crias are often born early in the morning. Males reach their sexual maturity at 2 1/2 to 3 years of age. Alpacas are very hearty and generally disease resistant. They require annual vaccinations, monthly worming, regular toenail trimming, occasional dental care and annual shearing in the spring. |
802.674.2200 • alpacas@valley.net
