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Discover Alpacas
Imagine that Mother Nature has just contracted you to design the perfect
livestock animal. You must come up with a list of qualities that would
make this creature a desirable and profitable member of an animal- and
earth-friendly farm. . . Would your list look something like this?
- A rich History as a cherished treasure of ancient and modern civilizations.
- Easily transported, handled and led with a halter and lead rope.
- A gentle nature so that even children can participate in their care, training and showing.
- Padded feet that do not damage even the most delicate terrain.
- Thrives on pasture grass by browsing and gently picking, not uprooting grass.
- Digests food efficiently, requiring relatively small amounts of forage and mineral supplements.
- Lives peacefully with herdmates up to 5-8 per acre . . . great for smaller farms.
- Hums softly and uses body language to communicate with herdmates and offspring.
- Sounds a loud alarm call to alert others of potential danger.
- Adapts well to most climates. Most content outside except in extremes of heat, cold, rain or wind.
- Lives 20 or more years, producing offspring from about age two well into the teens.
- Provides owners with a wonderful Lifestyle and profit without a trip to the slaughterhouse.
- A manageable size-around 125-175 pounds and about 36 inches at the withers (shoulders).
- Social, curious, intelligent and able to learn quickly for easy training and showing.
- Poops in communal dung piles for easy cleanup and parasite control. Pellets make a rich, natural fertilizer.
- Produces several pounds of silky soft prime fleece annually in one of more than 22 natural colors.
- Fleece is perfect for creating warm, lightweight, durable, non-allergenic clothing and other luxury items.
- Provides an excellent Investment and tax-reduction opportunity for owners.
- Relatively easy to care for with minimal vaccinations, de-worming, tooth and toenail trims, and annual shearing.
- A unique personality, loveable face, big eyes and a soft, velvety nose!
FAQ ... "Do they Spit?"
Yes. A female will spit off a male, refusing his advances if she is pregnant. Alpacas will sometimes spit at each other to establish a hierarchy, and occasionally on people who were unlucky enough to get caught in the cross-fire!
Updated May 25, 2011
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