Alpaca Fiber - The Fleece of the Gods, The Clothing of Royalty
Alpacas have been bred for thousands of years for the exquisite fleece that they produce. Alpaca is one of the world's rarest natural fibers. Stronger, lighter, warmer and softer than wool, alpaca fleece comes in over 20 natural colors.
The soft 'hand' of alpaca fiber is a result of the combination of several factors. First is the natural fineness of the alpaca's fleece, generally in the 18 - 29 micron range. (A micron is 1/1000 of an inch.) Alpaca fibers are also very flexible, a quality that gives alpaca fleece a softer feel than might be reflected by diameter alone. Finally, the structure of each individual shaft contributes to the alpaca's soft hand. Whereas on many natural fibers, such as sheep wool, the scales that form the shaft tend to curl away, alpaca fleece viewed under a microscope will reveal scales that lie parallel to the shaft. These qualities create in alpaca a fiber that produces finished garments of unparalleled softness.
Alpaca fibers do not lose strength as the individual fiber diameter grows smaller. This contributes to alpaca garments of superior durability.
Alpaca fleece does not lose its insulating qualities when wet. Clothing made of alpaca is exceptionally warm.
The unique qualities of alpaca fleece have led to its use by top fashion designers in Europe and Asia. On the world commodity market alpaca fleece sells for as much as 15 times what comparably fine Merino sheep wool might fetch. When sold to hand spinners and the cottage industry, quality alpaca fleece commonly sells for $3 - 5.00 per ounce.
Perhaps this explains why alpaca fleece was reserved for the clothing of the Inca royalty, and why its first use in England was in apparel for the nobility.
Derwydd Alpacas is committed to breeding alpacas possessing the best possible fleece.
Alpacas - A Brief History
Alpacas, a mystical animal whose origins are lost in the mists of time. Alpacas, once worshipped by the native peoples of the high Andes. The alpaca, and its cousin the more familiar llama, were the only domesticated livestock in the New World when the first Europeans arrived. Herds of alpacas are still tended by native herds-people in their natural home among the high peaks of the Andean altiplano.
When the Spanish first made contact with the Inca culture of South America they were blinded by visions of gold and jewels. They failed to see the true treasure of the Andes.
Inca society was a textile society, and alpacas, cotton, and to a lesser extent llamas, were the fibers from which the fabric of the culture were woven. Alpacas produced a fiber so exquisite that fabric made from it was reserved for the use of the royalty. Even today archeologists find remnants of cloth made of alpaca fiber that are nearly 2000 years old - a testament to the durability of alpaca fiber!
As part of the efforts to subjugate the native peoples, alpacas were driven nearly to extinction. By the 1700's only a small remnant of the native herds remained, those being confined to the high altiplano region in Peru, Bolivia and Chile.
In the 1800's the wondrous fiber of the alpaca was rediscovered by Sir Titus Salt who used alpaca fleece to manufacture clothing for the elite and noble classes in England.
Today most alpaca textiles are produced in the Arequipa region of Peru. However, yarns made of alpaca fibers find their way into the productions of high end clothing designers around the world, from Italy to Japan.
In the 1980's the first alpaca was imported into the United States. Since then the North American herd has grown to over 100,000 alpacas. A solid base for the future of the North American alpaca industry has been firmly established. The Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association (AOBA) serves breeders by promoting the wonders of alpacas, educating the public about alpacas, and providing marketing on a National level that benefits the individual alpaca owner. The Alpaca Registry, Inc. (ARI) provides a state of the art breed registry using DNA analysis to establish pedigree. The Alpaca Fiber Cooperative of North America (AFCNA) provides services to members by conducting a national collection of alpaca fiber and producing quality finished alpaca products which the members can purchase at wholesale prices.
Alpacas continue to maintain high prices reflecting the demand for these gentle creatures. The national herd is expected to grow slowly as the foundations of the alpaca industry solidify, develop and mature.
Derwydd Alpacas is excited to be a part of the emerging American alpaca industry.
Alpacas - A Gentle Breed
The alpaca is a sturdy, intelligent and gentle animal. Alpacas are of two distinctive types - the suri alpaca and the huacaya alpaca, and alpaca fleece comes in over twenty natural colors.
Huacaya alpacas are recognized by their woolly appearance. The fleece of a huacaya alpaca tends to stand straight away from the alpacas hide, and a high quality fleece demonstrates crimp of a short frequency.
The fleece of a suri alpaca hangs from the alpaca in long, tight, curly locks. Suri alpacas are known for the high luster that their fleece exhibits. Suri alpaca fleece is highly prized for use in exclusive woven fabrics.
Alpacas bear one offspring (known as a cria) every year. Gestation is approximately 11 months, and the female alpaca (dam) can be re-bred within 2 weeks. Twins are extremely rare in alpacas. The low reproductive rate contributes to the relatively high value of the alpaca, since the herd growth rates remain low.
Female alpacas generally reach breeding age at between 1 and 2 years of age. Male alpacas become capable of reproduction between 2 and 3 years of age.
Alpacas average about 150 pounds and stand approximately 36 inches at the withers. Alpacas have a highly developed and efficient digestive system, and can be pastured with as many as ten alpacas per acre. A herd of alpacas will tend to create community manure piles, minimizing parasite problems and facilitating pasture cleanup. The feet of an alpaca are padded, resulting in minimal damage to the ground.
Alpacas are intelligent and easily train to lead on a halter. Alpacas exhibit a gentle disposition and a curious nature. Independent and standoffish, while being friendly and inquisitive, some have compared the personality of alpacas to that of cats. Alpacas and children have a natural affinity for each other.
Easy to care for, alpaca herd management consists of annual shearing, vaccinations and worming, occasional trimming of nails and teeth, and pasture maintenance. In some areas owners may provide a free choice mineral supplement. Feed consists of a good quality grass hay.
Derwydd Alpacas is proud to offer the highest quality alpaca breeding stock. All alpacas sold by Derwydd are guaranteed to be healthy and reproductively sound, and are registered with the ARI.
