How to Raise Alpacas? Detailed Explanation of Breeding Methods and Key Technical Points

The alpaca, also known as the grass mud horse, is an emerging breeding project in our country. Because its wool has no impurities and a high down yield, it has relatively high economic value and is very popular among consumers. At present, some people raise them specifically to make money, so how do you raise alpacas?

1. Site selection

Alpacas like cleanliness, so when choosing a breeding site, it is best to choose one that is clean and hygienic, well ventilated, and able to promptly cool the alpacas during the hot summer days. In addition, the alpaca shed should be far away from noisy places such as residential areas, factories, and traffic routes. The alpaca shed should be ventilated and sunny, clean and hygienic, to ensure the normal growth of the alpacas.

2. Mating

Alpacas are generally single-offspring animals, and the gestation period is about 11 months, similar to that of humans. However, the miscarriage rate of alpacas is relatively high in the first month, so the reproductive capacity of alpacas is relatively low. Female alpacas can begin mating at one year of age. Mating is generally controlled manually, with the male and female alpacas placed together alone in one alpaca shed. If the female alpaca has already lain down, that indicates she is ready to mate, and under normal circumstances mating can be completed in about half an hour.

3. Daily management

When breeding, you must pay attention to the stocking density of alpacas. At most only 10 alpacas can be stocked per 1 mu of grassland. Alpacas will eat the grass on the grassland by themselves and will not pull the grass or other plants up by the roots. Therefore, alpacas are more suitable for pasture breeding than most other livestock. As long as there is an independent pasture and dry grass is prepared for winter, alpacas can be raised normally, so alpacas can be stocked in orchards.

4. Disease prevention and control

Alpacas can only be shorn once a year. First of all, you must be careful not to dirty the alpaca wool. Before shearing, make sure the alpacas stay in a pen with no dirty objects at all and do not eat or drink for four hours, to prevent natural and external contamination. Also, during daily care, be careful not to get them dirty.

Overall, alpacas are very easy to raise. As long as you choose a good breeding site, select good breeding stock for mating, and after the young are born, do a good job in disease prevention and control and other work, that is enough.