We imported the first alpacas into Western Australia in October 1990. As an alpaca stud we have alpacas for sale and top males standing at stud.

Alpacas and Llamas have been domesticated in South America for several thousand years. They are of the Camelid family, being distantly related to the camel and more closely related to the vicuna and guanaco - both still wild in South America. The alpaca is bred primarily for its soft luxurious fibre while the much bigger llama is bred primarily as a pack animal or “beast of burden”.

Alpacas are shorn once a year, usually in Spring, and they occur naturally in a large range of colours and shades: white, black, fawn, brown, grey. They can also be multi-coloured. The alpaca fibre is very versatile and durable and garments made from alpaca are sure to last and stay looking good for many years.

Neither the male ("Macho") nor female (Hembra") come on heat, the female is actually an "induced ovulator". The gestation period is 11 1/2 months and births usually occur during daylight hours. The female alpaca is usually re-mated about two weeks after giving birth, so it is possible for them to have one baby ("cria") a year. Twins are extremely rare - 1 in 50,000 live births - but on the 21st June 2004 we had a set of twin girls named "Minuet" and "Melody" who are only the fifth set of live twins in Australia and the first in W.A.!

Being a totally domestic animal, the alpaca is generally very calm and gentle and easy to manage. Halter training is usually fairly easy and yards for handling are not always necessary. They travel well in a horse float or trailer - or even in the back of a station wagon or van!

Like all members of the camelid family, the alpaca can spit! The “spit” is semi-digested grass or food which is quite smelly, but otherwise harmless! While this sounds an unpleasant habit for such a placid animal, it is a normal part of creature interaction. It is not usual for an alpaca to spit on a human passer-by - unless provoked. The “spitting” is really only effective alpaca to alpaca and it is really quite fascinating! .

If we want to check if a female is pregnant we place her with the male. If she refuses his advances by “spitting” at him, it is usually a very good sign she is pregnant (this is called the “spit-off” in alpaca circles). Alpacas may also spit when vying for food, establishing pecking orders or when protecting their young. Once an alpaca is spat on it will stop whatever it was doing, drop its jaw and appear to sulk for 10-20 minutes.

Alpaca stocking rates, feed requirements, vaccinations and worm drenching are quite similar to sheep, and likewise vary from area to area. Alpacas, however, do not get footrot (they have a padded foot like camels) and they are not susceptible to flystrike. They do not require docking, crutching or mulesing like sheep as their tail is naturally short and they are very clean under the tail area. Expensive shedding is usually unnecessary - well placed trees for shade and shelter is often all that is required.

Alpacas have gained in popularity as herd protectors. One or two alpacas placed in with a flock of sheep or goats are known to keep foxes and stray dogs away. Alpacas tend to bond with the flock they are tending and are very bold and inquisitive, so if a fox enters the paddock it instinctively approaches and chases if necessary.

Yes! We have Alpacas for sale.
For more information, email or telephone us on (08) 98409262