WHY ALPACAS?
Welcome to the wonderful world of alpacas…wouldn’t you like to have your own herd?
Beautiful, gentle and intelligent, these ‘New World Camelids’ produce beautiful, soft fibre that commands relatively high prices. Blood Moon Alpacas is a happy place for animals because we respect the land, and our animals. We live large on a little farm and offer quality above quantity.
Alpacas are the ideal livestock. They are curious and fun to be around. They are small enough to handle easily with no fear of being hurt – they are rather shy, and even toddlers are safe around them. They are healthy, don’t need huge quantities of food and are clean (they use communal dung piles).
GENERAL ALPACA INFORMATION
A male is called a MACHO
A female is called a HEMBRA
A baby alpaca is called a CRIA
Alpacas have one baby at a time, gestation is about eleven months.
They give birth only in daylight.
Alpacas are raised in North America for their fleece.
They do have some requirements:
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•Another alpaca
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•Protection from predators
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•Pasture in the spring, summer and fall and hay in the winter.
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•Fresh water
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•Yearly immunizations and deworming
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•Toenail trimming about every 3 months
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•Shade and shelter from the wind and snow
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•Late spring shearing
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•Daily check of body condition
Alpacas are uniquely positioned as a livestock species to further the goals of the sustainable agriculture movement. Alpacas are easy on the environment. Their efficient digestive systems reduce pressure on pastures and the padded feet minimize damage to the land. The communal dung piles facilitate simple manure management. A hardy constitution minimizes the need for chemical or medical management.
From a business point of view, alpacas represent multiple market outlets for product which can in turn support other local businesses – feed mill, fibre mill, hay producers, local shops to sell products. Alpaca farmers can sell raw alpaca fleece or get involved in some level of valued added processing (yarn, socks, duvets). Sales of live animals, herdsire services and boarding (agisting) can be a part of the business model. There is even a market for the manure. The alpaca industry in Ontario is growing fast. In the last few years, the number of alpacas in Ontario has risen over 200%. Now is the time to decide that alpacas will be part of your future.
BUY AN ALPACA!! (OR TWO) FOR:
PETS - Easy to care for with a winning personality. What more could you ask for. ..and they cut the grass, too!!!
FIBRE – Alpaca fleece is considered a luxury fibre because it combines so many positive, commercial attributes into one fibre. There are no negative characteristics to be found in alpaca fleece. It is stronger than sheep’s wool and contains no lanolin. It is found naturally in 22 distinct colors, which can also be blended to produce an infinite array of natural colors. The fiber is hollow giving better insulation and warmth in cold nights and a better cooling on hot days. Those who cannot wear wool can usually comfortably wear alpaca.
