Alpaca Information

Burgis Brook Alpacas is always available to answer any questions you may have related to the breed, the husbandry, the organization and the philosophy of being an alpaca owner. However, for those of you who want to gather all the written information there is to know about these wonderful animals, we have briefly stated the basics here with links to pdf files and websites for you to browse at your leisure.

• There are two types of alpacas — the Huacaya with fluffy fleece and the Suri with long silky locks.
• Alpacas are registered with DNA testing and there are approximately 267,000 in the USA today.
• Alpacas are beautiful and come in over 22 colors
• They are about 36″ tall at the withers and weigh 150-175 pounds.
• Alpacas are adaptable to varied habitat, successfully being raised from Australia to Alaska and from sea level upwards to 15,000 ft elevations.
• Alpacas have a relatively long and trouble-free reproductive life span.
• Alpacas are safe, they don’t bite or butt.
• Alpacas are useful: they produce fine and valuable fleece.
• Alpacas are intelligent and easy to train, which makes them pleasant to be around.
• Alpacas do not require special shelter or care.
• Alpacas require minimal fencing.
• Alpacas can be pastured at 5 or 6 per acre.
• Alpacas are considered disease-resistant animals, which lowers insurance and veterinarian costs.
• Alpacas are rare outside of South America and cannot be mass-produced.
• Alpacas are easy to transport, which allows them to be traded across the country.
• Alpacas can be insured against loss.

Take a look at the links to the right for great additional information about all things alpaca!