About Alpacas

What is an Alpaca?

Alpacas are gentle, graceful and intelligent animals that are a joy to own and work with.

This is Lily and her newborn cria named Eliza-Jane.

Along with Llamas, Guanacos, and Vicunas, Alpacas are a member of the South American Camelid family. Aside from the Vicuna, alpacas boast the rarest and finest fiber of all the camelids. These passive animals have been domesticated for thousands of years and are prized for their luxurious fiber. They come in 22 basic natural colors with many variations and blends, more than any other livestock.

Alpacas offer a relaxing, tranquil lifestyle with the benefits of a potential source of income. The escape from a fast paced lifestyle, corporate way of life, or adding Alpacas to an already established rural setting with the quiet pastoral surrounding of raising and breeding Alpacas is a prescription of a healthier, stress free living.

Alpaca Facts:

-average lifespan ranges 20 - 25 years

-average height is 36 inches at their shoulders

-weight range 130 - 200 pounds.

-average gestation 335 days (11 1/2 months) but can range from 320 - 376 days - Alpacas have single births, twins are very rare.

-the average weight of a new born Alpaca (cria) is 15 - 19 pounds. Babies stand and begin nursing within 30 minutes after delivery.

-Alpacas come in 22 natural colors with varying patterns.

-Alpacas do not require special fencing to keep them in but do need good fencing to keep predators out. Typically a 6ft game or no climb fence is what is used.

-Female Alpacas can be bred back as early as 2 weeks after giving birth and start breeding approx. 18 - 24 months of age.

-Male Alpacas can begin to breed between 2 - 3 years of age.

-Alpacas are very social animals and communicate with each other with humming noises, body and head movements.

-Alpacas are considered a livestock. Alpacas eat grass, chew cud. Manure clean-up is simplified since Alpacas deposit it in communal piles.

-Alpacas are earth friendly farm animals, their feet are padded and leave even the most delicate terrain undamaged.

-Alpacas do not usually eat or destroy trees, preferring tender grasses which it does not pull up by the roots.

-Raising Alpacas is a labour of love.

One of the best things next to owning alpacas is meeting other people who own alpacas. Everyone we've met through Alpacas have been wonderful.

Celestial Casa Alpacas Ontario Breeder of quality and fine fleece

Celestial Casa Alpacas
Ontario Breeder of quality and fine fleece