Alpacas can now cross the border!!
The border between Canada and the 
United States is now open!!! :-)   ">

Notice: New US Sales Policy
All monies owing for the alpaca and testing must be paid in full before they are tested by the vet Once the vet work has been done all money paid is NON refundable.

NOTE: Our vet has just informed us of a new rule. All alpacas must be quarantined (separated from all other alpacas) for 60 days before vet testing can be done. This is going to make it a little bit more difficult to set up trucking as the timing is so crucial. Once the vet tests are done the alpacas must cross the border within 30 days. No arrangements can be made until we have a FORSURE trucking date booked. Even though this is going to be a bit more difficult we are still able to sell alpacas to the US.

Did You Know...

A male alpaca is called a Macho
A female alpaca is called a Hembra
A baby alpaca is called a Cria

I Love Alpacas! or I Heart Alpacas! as Kayla Says!

Alpaca Farming has become a viable, fullfilling business. Alpaca fiber can be used for numberous articles of clothing such as gloves, alpaca scarf, hat, poncho, slippers, cardigan, shawl, sweaters, socks, coats. Those who wear these alpaca products can't belive the comfort, it feels like silk!
Some even make alpaca jewlery, rugs, and even teddy bears! The alpaca wool is spun into alpaca yarn and knitted into various products, and sold in stores all across Canada and the US. Some breeders buy wholesale alpaca products straight from Peru. Ontario has become a great place to market your alpaca yarns and products.

Q. What is the difference between dual registered and single registered alpacas?

A. Dual or double means that the alpaca is registered in both Canada with the CLAA and the United States with the ARI. They are usually valued much higher because of the double registry.
Single or Canadian registered means that they are registered only in Canada with the CLAA and are not eligible for registration with the ARI.

Q. Can I purchase a single registered alpaca and then once I have it home in the United States register it with the ARI?

A. No. If they are single registered they can never be dual regardless of where they reside.

Q. I have a dual (ARI and CLRC) registered herdsire , if I breed him to a single (CLRC) registered female can the baby be dual registered?

A. No both Sire and Dam must be dual in order for the cria to be dual. But you can still breed them and maintain the Canadian registration for the babies.

Q. If I live in the United States and would like to purchase single registered alpacas because I can't afford dual registered alpacas can I keep up the registry with the CLRC even if I am not a Canadian citizen?

A. Absolutely! Americans no longer need to buy ARI registered alpacas to maintain registered stock. You can register any offspring through the CLRC, as long as both Sire and Dam are registered with the CLRC

Q. Is there anything that must be done before shipping them across the border?

A. Yes each alpaca must be tested for TB and Brucellosis by a veterinarian within 30 days before crossing the border into the United States. This cost is $250 per alpaca, and must be paid in full before the alpaca is tested.

Q. Would you recommend buying single registered or dual registered alpacas?

A. This really depends on how much money you have to spend. Single registered females range from $1000 - $6000 and ARI registered females usually start at $6000.

Why Buy Alpacas?

• Alpacas are clean and intelligent. They make outstanding fibre producers, pets and companions.

• Indigenous to the High Andes regions of the South American countries of Peru, Bolivia and Chile.

• Classified as livestock, alpacas are quiet, peaceful animals that are easy to raise

• Extremely hardy, they adapt to most climates, elevations and conditions

• Alpaca fibre is 6 times warmer than lambs wool

• They can be handled by anyone and are safe around children. They very rarely spit at people - usually only when mistreated.

• Alpacas fit in and get along with goats, sheep, donkeys, horses, cats and family dogs.

• Adults weigh an average of 125 to 175 pounds and live 20-25 years.

• They require little space - 1/8 of an acre is fine for an alpaca and 4 foot field fence makes a sufficient enclosure.

• Alpacas eat less than 2 pounds of hay per day and require no special diets.

• Alpaca are usually first bred 12 - 18 months of age. Their gestation period averages 11.5 months.

• Alpacas make cleaning the corral an easy task, as the 'go' in only a few spots.

• Alpaca droppings are practically odorless, are low in nitrogen and are excellent for enriching soil.

• Alpacas are easily transported in a pick-up, van or trailer. They usually lie down in transit.

• Alpaca shows and competitions can promote a single alpaca or an entire herd.
  

Thank-you to Leslie Comfort from www.canadiancomfortalpacas.com
for this info!

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These are a few of the questions that I am normally asked about Alpacas.

What are they called?

• A baby alpaca is called a cria, the mom is called the Dam and dad is called the Sire .

Where do alpacas come from?

• The largest percentage of alpacas came from and still reside in Peru, Bolivia, and Chile. 
• Alpacas are a member of the camelid family! They are cousins to the camel, llama, vicuna, and guanaco. 

How do you care for an alpaca?

• Feeding alpacas is very inexpensive. Alpacas eat pasture grasses and hay, along with a mineral supplement.
• They need very little care, toe-trimming, annual inoculations, and worming twice or three times a year.
• Alpacas are shorn once a year for their beautiful, desirable fleece.
• Fences should be dog-proof and 3.5 to 5 feet high.
• Three sided shelters to protect from wind is all that is needed in moderate climates.
• Plus possibly the best thing about alpacas is that they use a communal dung pile! This makes cleaning up after them a breeze and bedding in the winter the easiest! 
• Because alpacas and their ancestors are specially suited to the harsh environment They are in turn very healthy and easy to care for and remarkably disease free.

How many types of alpacas are there?

There are two different types of alpacas, the suri and the huacaya. 

How many types of alpacas are there?

What are their physical characteristics?

• Alpacas have soft padded feet, making them gentle on their pastures.
• They have no top teeth in the front. 
• The average height of an alpaca is 36" at the withers
• They weigh from 100 to 175 pounds. 
• Alpacas are small and gentle enough to travel short distances in the family minivan and are easily handled by most people.
• They chew their cud similar to a cow, and are a modified ruminant. They have three stomachs rather than the true ruminant, which has four. 

What is an Alpacas gestation period?

• An alpaca's gestation period is 11 to 12 months, about 340 days.
• They have single births (twins are extremely rare occurring once in about every 2000 births)
• Crias are usually born without assistance between 8 and 12am
• A baby alpaca is called a cria, usually weighs between 15 and 20 pounds, and can often stand to nurse within an hour. 

What is the fiber used for?

• Alpaca fiber comes in 22 natural colors that are recognized by the textile industry, 
• They will produce 5 to 10 pounds of soft, warm fiber every year!
• Alpaca fiber is finer than merino and has a higher tensile strength than sheep's wool. 
• You can make many things with alpaca fiber