Keeping Alpacas

Many knitters would love to have their own alpacas. We look into the practicalities of keeping them and using their fleece

 

 

THE BENEFITS of alpaca yarn are well known: the scales in alpaca fleece lay flatter than those of sheep’s wool, making it softer against the skin; alpaca fleece doesn’t contain any lanolin, either, so it avoids issues with wool allergies. As alpaca is a hollow fibre, it’s warmer than wool, and it wicks away water, making it almost waterproof.

Alpacas are also gentle and attractive animals, so if you’ve wondered about keeping alpacas as pets, and using their fleece to spin and knit with, we’ve got some advice on what to consider.

There are two breeds of alpaca, the Huacaya and the Suri. The most common by far is the Huacaya, which has a dense fleece that grows outwards. The Suri fleece is different, growing downwards in corkscrew spirals.

Because alpacas are herd animals, they shouldn’t be kept alone; a group of at least three is best, so that if anything happens to one of your animals, you’re not left with a single alpaca. On each acre of land you can keep five or six alpacas, but it’s best to have other land available for them to graze, too. Simple post-and rail fencing is enough; you shouldn’t use barbed wire around the field, as the alpacas’ fleece can get tangled.