Highfields Alpacas

Alpacas: Frequently Asked Questions

 

• What are Alpacas?
• They are a member of the South American camelid family together with
• Llamas
• Guanacos
• Vicuna
  
  
• Are there different types?
• Huacaya:       Wool-like fleece
• Suri:             Fleece hangs down from the body in locks
  
  
• What are they called?
• Male:            Macho
• Female:        Hembre
• Juvenile:        Tui
• Baby:           Cria
  
  
• Are they easy to keep?
• They don’t need any specialised fencing
• Need nail trimming
• Injections
• Monitoring for worms and drenching if required
• Teeth may need trimming
  
  
• How long does their pregnancy last?
• Approx. 340 days
  
  
• How big are the cria at birth?
• 6-8 kgs
  
  
• How old do they get?
• 15-25 years
  
  
• How much does an adult weight?
• 50-80kgs
  
  
• How tall do they grow?
• 80-100cms at the wither
  
  
• What are they mainly used for?
• Fleece production
• Herd guards
• Pets
  
  
• What do they eat?
• Pasture
• Hay and grain
• They like to browse
  
  
• How often and when are they shorn?
• Annually
• Usually Oct – Dec
  
  

 

How to contact us:  
By phone (call Alfons) on (03) 5778 9674
By e-mail: HIGHFIELDS ALPACAS

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