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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nAlpacas are long-lived animals, and they produce valuable fleece all their lives. Typically, a well cared for alpaca can live for about twenty years. The oldest alpaca on record lived to be 27 years old. A healthy animal will produce between 5 and 10 pounds of high quality fleece every year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alpaca fleece is very similar to cashmere, and it is used to create yarn, blankets, tapestries, clothing and more. This fine material is in great demand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Generally speaking, the fleece from an alpaca is more resilient, warmer, lighter and stronger than that of any sheep. Very fine grades of alpaca fleece are called “baby alpaca”<\/em>. This quality of fleece is considered hypoallergenic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There is no lanolin in alpaca fleece, so it takes very little cleaning to get it ready for spinning. Alpaca fleece feels very silky and is extremely easy to work with, so people who go in for weaving, knitting and hand-spinning fleece prefer it to sheeps\u2019 wool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alpaca fleece is sometimes combined with sheeps\u2019 wool to make a softer product. It can also be blended with other fibers such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alpaca fleece also comes in a wide variety of colors. In fact, there are sixteen official alpaca fleece colors, they are derived from these basics:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Each of these comes in several subtle light and dark shades. The paler shades are very easy to dye and hold their color well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The textiles created using alpaca fleece are warm, durable, soft and light. Many alpaca owners make their own products using alpaca fleece and sell these online, at farmers markets, craft fairs and through local shops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alpacas are also quite popular in their own right, and you can make a little money<\/a> selling your baby alpacas once they are weaned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The gestation period for alpacas is 11-12 months. Pregnant females typically deliver one baby weighing between 15 and 19 pounds. They do not usually need help delivering their babies, which are called cria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The female alpaca usually gives birth during the daylight, and the baby is usually up, moving around and nursing on its own within an hour-and-a-half. Mom will take care of baby for about six months, at which time the baby should be weaned. Here is a short guide on how to breed alpacas<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although it is not economical to breed these animals for meat production, meat harvested from culled animals is considered a delicacy<\/a> by many.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When considering selling the offspring of your alpacas, keep in mind that it’s wise to invest in pedigreed breeding stock. It costs no more to take care of pedigreed, registered animals than mixed, unregistered animals. You will make a greater profit selling registered offspring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the United States, Canada and around the world, you can consult with the Alpaca Owners Association<\/a>, Inc. (AOA) to find the best breeding stock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This registry requires that every applicant for registration be DNA tested to its parents in order to qualify for the registry. This means that animals registered through AOA are guaranteed pure and are very desired.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The AOA also organizes fleece judging competitions and alpaca shows. If you are new to alpacas, attending these events can help you understand the world of alpacas and find a bloodline in which to invest<\/a>. Pedigreed stock produces higher quality offspring and higher quality fleece.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In South America, several strains of both alpacas and llamas have been kept as domestic animals for many centuries. There are also a couple of other varieties of alpaca (vicunas and guanacos) which roam in wild herds and are not typically domesticated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are two breeds of alpacas that are commonly domesticated. They are:<\/p>\n\n\n\nYou Can Breed Alpacas To Sell<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nAlpaca Meat Is An Interesting By-Product<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Pedigreed Stock Is A Good Investment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nHow Many Types Of Alpacas Are There?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Two Alpaca Breeds – Huacaya And Suri<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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