Alpaca Keeping — Frequently Asked Questions

In temperate southeastern Australia on mixed improved pasture, a conservative starting rate is 2 to 3 alpacas per acre in good seasons, reducing to 1 to 1.5 per acre in the dry summer without supplementary feeding. On high-rainfall improved pasture (700mm+ annual), up to 4 to 5 per acre is achievable in good conditions. Set your stocking rate based on your worst seasonal capacity, not your best — alpacas are excellent at hiding poor body condition under their fleece.

Huacaya for beginners, without qualification. Huacaya account for approximately 95% of the Australian herd, have broader market access for their fibre, are more available from breeders, and the support network (shearers, processors, associations) is substantially larger. Suri produce premium fibre with a distinct lustre but require more specialist management and market connections to realise their value. Start with huacaya and add suri genetics once you have the experience and market relationships to do them justice.

Yes, but at each other far more than at people. Alpacas spit primarily as a social communication tool — expressing displeasure at feed competition or unwanted mating attempts — and well-handled alpacas rarely spit at people. When they do spit at people, it is typically because the animal is stressed, being roughly handled, or has learned that spitting works as a deterrent. The spit is the partially digested stomach contents, which smells unpleasant but is harmless.

Once a year, in late winter or spring — and the timing is critical. An unshorn alpaca in a hot Australian summer (35°C+) is at serious risk of heat stress and death. In most of southeastern Australia, shearing must be completed by the end of October at the latest, and by September in Queensland and northern NSW. Book an accredited alpaca shearer months in advance — the best shearers book out completely by mid-year for the spring shearing season.

Alpacas have one of the longest and most variable gestations of any common livestock species: approximately 335 to 345 days on average (11 to 11.5 months), with a normal range of 11 to 12 months. This variability is normal — an alpaca pregnancy anywhere from 10.5 to 12.5 months can produce a healthy cria. Alpacas use induced ovulation (mating triggers ovulation rather than a hormonal cycle) and can technically be mated year-round, though most Australian breeders manage matings to target spring or early summer birthing.

The main channels for Australian alpaca fibre are: the Australian Alpaca Fibre Co-operative (pools and sells fibre on behalf of members), wool brokers (who handle alpaca alongside wool), small-scale processors who produce yarn or other products, and direct sales to artisan spinners and hand-weavers (through fibre festivals, online platforms, and local markets). White huacaya fibre sells best through the co-op and broker channels; coloured and suri fibre tends to achieve better prices through direct artisan sales. Have your fibre tested (AFD, SD, CV) before selling — the test certificate adds credibility and justifies price premiums.

Yes. The standard Australian alpaca vaccination program uses a 5-in-1 clostridial vaccine (Glanvac or Ultravac 5-in-1), given twice initially (4 to 6 weeks apart) then annually. Alpacas are susceptible to the same clostridial diseases as sheep and goats — pulpy kidney, blackleg, tetanus, and others — and vaccination is the only reliable prevention. Females should receive their annual booster 4 to 6 weeks before birthing to pass protection through colostrum to crias.

Alpacas are generally more parasite-resistant than sheep and goats, but barber's pole worm (Haemonchus contortus) is still a genuine health risk in warm, wet conditions in eastern Australia. Use FAMACHA (inner eyelid colour assessment) monthly during high-risk periods, treat only animals that score 4 or 5 (pale pink to white inner eyelid), and conduct faecal egg counts periodically to quantify mob-level worm burden. Rotate drenching chemical classes and perform an egg count reduction test annually to check drench efficacy in your herd.

Yes — wether (castrated male) alpacas are effective guardians for sheep, goats, and poultry against dogs and foxes. Their guardian behaviour is instinctive: they alarm call, investigate, and will actively chase canine intruders from their paddock. One or two wethers with a mob of sheep or goats provides meaningful deterrence against opportunistic dog attacks. This does not work against all predators in all situations, but is well-documented and adds genuine practical value beyond fibre production.

Both are South American camelids from the same family, but they are distinct species with different size, purpose, and fibre characteristics. Alpacas are smaller (55 to 90 kg), bred primarily for their fine fleece, and are gentle and manageable. Llamas are larger (130 to 200 kg), traditionally used as pack animals and for meat, and produce coarser fibre with a double coat (fine undercoat plus coarse outer guard hair) that requires deharing before processing. In Australia, alpacas are kept in far greater numbers than llamas and have a well-developed industry infrastructure; llamas are kept in smaller numbers primarily as pack animals or novelty livestock.