2025/2026 Alpaca Owners Guide

Q: Does the birthing require human assistance? A: In most cases, crias are born without intervention and usually during daylight hours. A cria normally weighs between 15 and 19 pounds and is typically standing and nursing within 90 minutes of birth. The cria continues nursing for about six months until it is weaned. New owners are encouraged to prepare for births by reading about the process and keeping necessary supplies on hand. Q: What about the fleece? A: Finer grades of alpaca fleece are believed to be hypoallergenic, as they’re less likely to trigger allergic reactions. Unlike sheep’s wool, alpaca fleece contains no lanolin, which means it requires only minimal cleaning before spinning. Known for its silky texture and luxurious “handle,” alpaca fleece is highly sought after by both cottage-industry artisans (hand spinners, knitters, weavers, etc.) and commercial fashion designers. Alpaca fleece comes in a wide variety of natural colors. Sixteen are officially recognized—including white, beige, and various shades of fawn, brown, black, and gray—with many subtle variations in between. White, light fawn, and light gray fleece take dye easily, offering a full spectrum of color options for fiber artists. Blending alpaca fleece with other fine fibers such as merino wool, cashmere,

There are two main breeding methods: pen breeding and pasture breeding. • Pen breeding (also called "hand breeding") involves placing a male and female together in a small enclosure. If the female isn’t already pregnant, she usually accepts the male. After the first breeding, the pair is reintroduced a few days later. If the female has ovulated and conceived, she will reject the male by "spitting off"—a common early sign of pregnancy. An ultrasound a few weeks later can confirm it. • Pasture breeding (or "field breeding") means putting one male with one or more females in a larger area for several days or weeks. While this method can help females that struggle to conceive, it’s not ideal for regular use. It makes it harder to know exactly when conception occurred and when the cria (baby alpaca) will be born. Q: How long is the gestation period? A: The gestation period for alpacas typically lasts around 11 months (about 340 days) but can extend up to 12 or even 12.5 months. Most females are ready to be rebred within three to four weeks after giving birth. Q: How many offspring do alpacas have at one time? A: Females nearly always give birth to a single cria (KREE’-ah), although twin births also do occur on rare occasions.

Photo courtesy of The Alpacas of Spring Acres

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