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Giaginye Alpacas NSW
Alpacas were close to annihilation after the Spanish conquest of the Incas. They survived because they were important also to Indian people, and they lived with them in the extraordinarily harsh climatic conditions in the high altitudes of southern America. Alpacas remain resilient and hardy animals.
Today, alpaca farming is concentrated in the Altiplano – the high altitude regions of Southern Peru, Bolivia and Chile, where life is difficult. Alpacas not only battle a harsh climate – burning sun by day, freezing conditions at night – but also receive few of the benefits of modern farming. They survive in relatively small numbers; Peru has approximately 2.5 million, Bolivia around 500,000 and there are only some 50,000 in Chile and Argentina combined.
Last century, other parts of the world became interested in the beauty and resilience of alpacas. The first alpacas were imported to the United States and Canada in 1984, followed by Australia and New Zealand in 1989. In their new homes, they have enjoyed (relatively) more temperate climates and a developed range of animal husbandry techniques, which has led to the growth of a new industry, and greater understanding of the animals themselves.
Why Keep Alpacas?
Alpacas are ideal animals for the small homestead. There really is joy in keeping alpacas as they are an easy care livestock. They are hardy, generally disease-resistant and they thrive in most weather conditions. They give back in a number of ways, Alpacas make great lamb guards, and lawn mowers, and their fleece is softer and warmer than merino. Their manure is excellent for the garden. They are also curious and entertaining and can be halter trained and socialized.
What Do They Need?
Alpacas are low maintenance animals. They require pasture and water, and the addition of some long fibre eg. hay, and minerals when your grass is soft and short. They should be wormed,vaccinated and their toenails trimmed a couple of times per year. They should also be shorn annually, preferably in the Spring, to allow comfort during the hot Summer months.
Fabulous Fleece
Alpaca fleece has better thermal properties than wool, has a higher comfort factor, when worn next to the skin,and comes in a large range of beautiful earthy colours. From whites or fawns through to browns, roans, greys and blacks, there are at least sixteen different natural shades,.
