Safe Haven Farm - Learn More About Alpacas

Alpaca Factoids

Alpacas average lifespan ranges from 15-25 years. Alpacas average height is 36" at their shoulders. Alpacas weigh from 100 to 180 pounds.

Their average gestation is over 11 months long! Normally ranging from 320 -376 days and females are typically pregnant again just 3 weeks after giving birth.

The average weight of a newborn alpaca is 15-19 pounds. Babies (or crias, pronounced kree-ahs) are usually standing and nursing within 30 minutes after delivery.

Alpacas are ruminants like deer and cows. They have a 3 compartment stomach, a very efficient digestive system, and consume only a single bale of hay per week.

Alpacas do not require special fencing or a lot of acreage (5 - 12 animals/acre depending on pasture growing conditions)

Alpacas are very social animals and communicate extensively with each other by humming, various other vocalizations, and body language. If vocalizations and body language are not sufficient to resolve a disagreement, the situation may escalate to spitting at each other. Alpacas do not typically spit at people.

Most alpacas in the United States are DNA tested to prove their lineage and are registered with The Alpaca Registry, Inc.

The alpaca is a member of the South American Camelid Family, which includes Llamas and Alpacas, as well as the wild Guanaco and Vicuna from which the Llama and the Alpaca were domesticated. Unlike llamas, which are primarily used as pack animals in South America, alpacas have been bred for their cashmere-like fiber, once reserved for Incan royalty. Alpacas have been domesticated for over 5000 years in South America, specifically the Andes regions of Peru, Chile and Bolivia. Today, alpacas are raised worldwide.

There are approximately 40,000 alpacas in the United States, having been first imported in 1984. They are adaptable to most climates but are especially well suited to the moderate summers and cold winters of New England. There are approximately 115 farms in New England.

Alpacas only require the most basic of shelters. A 3 sided lean-to with the opening facing south is all that is required.

There are many regional and national Alpaca Shows throughout the year where hundreds, or even thousands, of pedigreed alpacas and their owners gather to compete for ribbons and prize money.

There are two types or breeds of alpacas, the Huacaya (WA-KY-YA), which accounts for about 95% of the alpacas in North America and the rarer Suri. The Huacaya fiber has a fuzzy crimped appearance while the Suri alpaca fiber forms long pencil like locks .

Alpacas are very intelligent, gentle creatures that are quiet, and easy to care for. They even create communal dung piles making it easy for their owners to keep the area clean.

A Few Words About Alpaca Ownership:

For years alpacas were sold as the "huggable investment". They are huggable, cute and a joy to raise. There is however a practical side to alpaca ownership, the side where you look to make money back from your investment. First, no one can guarantee your return on investment. Understand that the alpaca business is in fact, a business. You need to consider your marketing and sales. You need a plan to sell both alpacas and fleece.

Potential is great, now is the best time to enter the alpaca business. The economy has brought alpaca prices down, this means you can buy more alpacas for the same money than you could two years ago. Obviously, the market will increase as the economy gets better. This means that your alpaca should increase in value. Add to that the production of fleece and crias, there is a likely result of increased value for all of these.

Safe Haven is dedicated to helping new breeders. We will not only answer all of your questions, we will work with you to help you develop your business. Our goal is to expand the number of alpaca owners in the United States. Gorwing our industry for a brighter future of alapcas.