Frequently Asked Questions
| Q. | How old should an Alpaca be before I purchase it? |
| A.
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At least 6 months.
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| Q. | What should I feed my Alpaca? |
| A. | Access to grazing, a good quality alpaca coarse mix concentrate, and good dust free hay. Fresh |
| water should always be available.
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| Q. | What type of facilities should I prepare for my Alpaca? |
| A. | A minimum of a simple field shelter should be provided for access during bad weather with a |
| suitable fenced paddock.
See 'Basic Alpaca Care'
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| Q. | What type of fencing do I require? |
| A.
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Ordinary stock fencing is adequate - no barbed wire.
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| Q. | Are Alpacas bad tempered? |
| A. | No. They are quite, gentle creatures, and can be trained to walk on a lead rein and halter. |
| Alpacas are intelligent animals and all training should be done with patience, little and often | |
| training sessions work best.
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| Q. | What is the realistic use of Alpacas? |
| A.
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They make good field pets, their fibre and sale of future offspring can produce a financial return.
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| Q. | How many years does an Alpaca live? |
| A.
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15 to 20 years.
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| Q. | What is the gestation period? |
| A. | 11 to 11 ½ months, (average 335 days) with a female giving birth to one cria. |
| Twins have been born but are rare.
A specialist book is available
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| Q. | Do Alpacas get ill? |
| A. | Like all other animals, Alpacas can suffer from a variety of illnesses, contact your veterinary |
| surgeon immediately if you feel that your Alpaca does not appear to be its 'normal' self. | |