General Alpaca Info

Alpacas are more than just an enjoyable hobby for the whole family. They are a lucrative business opportunity. 

Whether it is the sale of the livestock themselves, or the sale of their luxurious fiber -- the opportunity is there. 

Alpaca fleece is sought after by knitters, hand spinners, and by those of us that just want to wear some of the softest, warmest fiber you can find.

In addition to fiber, there are many other ways to produce income with your alpacas, such as opening your farm for eco-tourism, selling alpaca manure as a sustainable garden additve, boarding, transporting, and showing. Plus, being in the alpaca business can offer you some substantial tax benefits.

We'd be happy to share that information with you.

When you're ready to buy, know that our alpacas are sold always having had the best of health care. We honestly stand behind our animals and offer on-going customer support. 

We offer free delivery within 200 miles and free board for 60 days on any sale over $1,000.

And, we offer interest-free financing

Financing Terms:  Due to our current economic conditions, we offer no-interest financing.   Animals must stay boarded on farm until 50% of purchase price has been paid.  Proof of mortality insurance must be provided in the amount financed.  The registration of alpacas and crias will remain in our name until purchase price is paid in full. Any cria born at this time will be owned by That'll Do Farm until purchase price is paid in full.

We currently have a herd of 25 alpacas. For more detailed information on individual alpacas, including those that are not listed here, please visit That'll Do Farm on Open Herd.

A Few Facts About Alpacas

-- There are two types of alpacas, Huacaya (pictured below, left) and Suri (pictured below, right.)

-- Huacaya fiber is dense and crimpy, with a wooly appearance.

-- Suri fiber is long and silky, with pencil-like locks.

-- The average life span of an alpaca is 20 years. The average weight of an adult is about 150-170 pounds.

-- The average height of an adult alpaca is about 36 inches at the withers.

-- Alpacas have soft, padded feet with two toes, making them easy on pastures.

-- They have teeth on their bottom jar and a hard dental pad on top for grinding food.

-- They are semi-ruminants and chew their cud.

-- Alpacas are alert and intelligent creatures. They are also very social animals and can not live alone. They need at least one other alpaca to hang out with, but two more would be better.

-- They communicate by humming and use a variety of vocal noises along with body posturing to display their emotions.

-- They do spit, but usually only at each other. It is another form of communication, usually at feeding time to determine position.

-- Average gestation is 11 months, with single births. Twins are quite rate.

-- Females are ready to breed at 18 to 24 months.

-- Males are generally ready to breed at 2 to 3 years.

-- A baby alpaca is called a cria.

-- Females usually give birth during the daylight hours of 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.

-- Alpacas are easy to keep, requiring pasture, good grass hay and pellets.

-- They need routine nail trimming, de-worming and sometimes teeth trimming.

-- Alpacas typically do not challenge fences. Fencing is more to keep predators out than to keep alpacas in. However, they are not opposed to walking through an open gate.

 -- They are shorn in the Spring so they keep cool for Summer months. Their thick, dense fleece will grow back enough by the time fall rolls around to keep them warm and dry for the Winter.

-- Thery use a common poop pile, which makes up-up easier. Their "beans" are a great fertilizer for the garden as they are not "hot" and will not burn. they can be used right from the animals or composted for later addition to the garden.

-- Alpaca yarn comes in 22 colors of fleece recognized by the textile industy. However, it also takes dye beautifully.

-- Alpacas produce, on average, from 5 to 10 pounds of fleece per shearin

-- Unlike sheep's wool, alpaca fiber doesn't have lanolin in it so it doesn't have a "greasy" feel.

-- Alpaca fleece is as asoft as cashmere, yet lighter in weight, stronger and warmer than wool.