Huacaya Alpacas: Breed Profile

The Huacaya (pronounced wa-KI-ya) is the more common of the two alpaca types. Its fleece is dense, crimpy and fluffy, giving the animal a rounded, teddy-bear look. The other type, the Suri, has long, lustrous locks that hang in ringlets. Both are camelids, related to llamas, and both are raised mostly for fiber.

History

Alpacas were domesticated thousands of years ago in the Andes of South America, in what is now Peru, Bolivia and Chile, and were valued for their fleece. They were imported to the United States in the 1980s and 1990s, and the Alpaca Owners Association and the Alpaca Registry maintain records. Because the founding population was small, quality and pedigree matter in the market.

Purpose

Alpacas are raised for fiber, which is soft, warm and available in many natural colors. Some are kept as pets or as guardians for small flocks, and some owners breed and sell animals. Fiber is shorn once a year and can be sold raw or processed into yarn and products.

Where the breed stands today

Huacayas are the dominant alpaca type in the United States. The market for breeding stock rose and fell in the decades after import, and prices today vary widely by pedigree and quality. Because alpacas are not a traditional food animal, the show world treats them as a fiber breed.

Showing Huacaya Alpacas at 4-H and FFA

Pros

• Calm temperament. Alpacas are generally gentle and quiet.
• Fleece classes. Fiber shows give students a way to compete on fleece quality.
• Halter and performance classes. Some shows offer showmanship, obstacle and agility classes.
• Unusual project. The animals attract visitors and make good outreach.
• Value-added products. Students can learn spinning, knitting and marketing.

Cons

• High cost. Quality alpacas can be expensive to buy.
• Herd animals. They need at least one companion and suitable fencing.
• Specialized care. Shearing, toenail trimming and veterinary care require training.
• Limited classes. Many county shows have no alpaca classes.
• Heat sensitivity. Alpacas need shade and water in hot weather.

What to look for in a Huacaya alpaca project

Look for a balanced body, straight legs, correct bite and a fleece that is dense, uniform and bright. For a youth project, calm temperament and training are more important than a top pedigree. Check the animal for good condition, clear eyes and clean nostrils.

Questions to ask a breeder

• Is the animal registered, and what are her parents' fleece records?
• How has she been handled, haltered and trained?
• What are her shearing, health and vaccination records?
• What is her fleece weight and fineness history?
• Does my show have alpaca classes, and what are the rules?

Bottom line

A Huacaya is a gentle, interesting project for a student who wants to work with fiber, but plan for the purchase price and make sure your show has classes for camelids.

See Fleece, Egg and Fiber Competitions for how fleece is judged. agriculture.directory can help you find vets, shearers and supplies, and farm.fm has Farmer's Llama Becomes Life Coach, Teaches Mindfulness to Overworked Roosters.