Frequently Asked Questions
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Our answers to your most frequently asked questions about our alpaca clothing and accessories.
What makes alpaca fiber special?
Alpaca fiber is soft, lightweight, and hypoallergenic due to the absence of lanolin. It is also highly insulating and moisture-wicking, ensuring comfort and warmth even in cold and damp conditions.
The quality of alpaca fiber is recognized worldwide. Among all the animals producing fiber, it is the alpaca that presents the largest spectrum of colors, there are more than 200 shades listed in the world but they are classified into 22 official colors. Alpaca wool is called “alpaca fiber”. Treasure of the ancient Inca civilization, the fiber was considered “the fiber of the Gods” reserved for royalty. It is a luxury product in the textile industry thanks to its unique qualities: alpaca is comparable to cashmere, softer, 3 times more resistant than wool and 2 times more than mohair (angora goat). We are also lucky to have here a hypoallergenic natural fiber because it does not contain lanolin like sheep's wool. The chemicals used in spinning mills to remove this oil cause this itchy skin. Alpaca wicks moisture away from the body and provides a thermal effect 7 times greater than wool.
Are alpaca clothes suitable for people with allergies?
Yes! Alpaca fiber is hypoallergenic because it does not contain lanolin, a substance that often causes allergies in traditional wools.
How to care for alpaca clothing?
Alpaca clothing should be hand washed in cold water with a mild detergent. Avoid machine drying and lay flat to dry to preserve its shape and texture. Check out our article on the subject.
Are the products ethically made?
Yes, our products come from alpacas raised with care and respect, in an ethical and sustainable approach, favoring natural and renewable fiber.
Are alpaca clothes sustainable?
Alpaca fiber is known for its strength and durability. It retains its insulating properties and softness for years with proper care. Check out our article to learn more.
Why raise alpacas?
One of the advantages of this type of farming is that you can start without having much experience with animals or with farming in general. The hardiness of the alpaca makes it an easy animal to understand and raise. As a result, the annual costs of food and veterinary care are significantly lower than for other species. The investment in fencing and restraint equipment is also significantly lower than for other animal species. In addition, it is a unique animal, beautiful, gentle, calm and so endearing… Alpaca farms are generally on a family scale, and the whole family is involved, which makes it easier to manage and take over the herd by the next generation.
To know everything about the alpaca
Our answers to your most frequently asked questions about alpacas!
What does the alpaca eat?
Although small camelids are not classified in the ruminant family (the stomach being divided into 3 compartments instead of 4 in true ruminants), they still ruminate.
They feed mainly on grass and hay. They can eat any type of grass, even low quality grass, because their digestive system is much more efficient than that of other ruminants. Average food consumption is 1.5 to 2 kg per day, and can reach 3 kg for a pregnant female alpaca.
Why separate males from females?
The alpaca does not have a specific breeding period; it is the mating that triggers ovulation. So since we have harsh winters in Quebec, we do not want births during this period because the cria does not come into the world with the same thickness of coat as its parents. So we carry out mating between the month of June and August. Thus, we will have births during the hot season and during the hot hours of the day, which allows the baby to dry off. Indeed, its mother does not lick it. Mating lasts on average half an hour. Then the female carries 11 months before giving birth. During the first 7 or 8 months, the baby develops but does not get bigger, hence the difficulty of checking if a female is pregnant; then it begins to get bigger until term. The female gives birth to only one baby per year. A baby alpaca weighs on average 7 kg and already has a fleece of a few centimeters. The female can be bred again about ten days after giving birth. She nurses her baby for about 6 months. A female is an adult at 6 months, but she has not yet finished growing. A male is an adult between 2 and a half and 3 years old. What are the names of the female, male and baby alpaca? In South America, the female is called “Hembra”, the male “Macho” and the baby “Cria”. Elsewhere in the world, we speak of male and female alpacas and the baby keeps its name of Cria.
Can you eat alpaca meat?
The alpaca is (and will remain) a farm animal raised primarily for its fiber, provided that all breeders remain focused on this type of breeding and on selecting herds for this sole purpose. So yes, obviously, alpaca can be eaten in certain regions of the world because this meat is not only pleasant to the taste, but it is also appreciated for its nutritional qualities. For our part, we have no intention of moving towards this type of production.
Do alpacas spit?
Behaviorally, the alpaca is generally gentle and curious, but also reserved. … The alpaca, like the llama, can spit to communicate with its peers, to establish hierarchy in its herd. It only spits on humans if it is in imminent danger and has no other way out or if it is unfortunately imprinted, which often happens when an alpaca or llama is raised alone, without its group that it absolutely needs.
When is the alpine pasture mowing?
Mowing takes place every year between April and June, only once a year.
What is the difference between a llama and an alpaca?
The llama is about twice as big as an alpaca and is half a meter taller. Its ears are banana-shaped unlike the alpaca which has straight, pointed ears
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