The Alpaca is a domesticated species of camelid from South America. Alpacas are kept in herds that graze on the level heights of the Andes of Ecuador, southern Peru, northern Bolivia, and northern Chile. Alpacas are considerably smaller than llamas, and unlike them are not used as pack animals but are valued only for their fibre (wool). Alpaca fibre is used for making knitted and woven items, much as sheep's wool is, but it is much softer and far less itchy! They are delightful animals to have around and are gentle, elegant, inquisitive, intelligent and observant. As they are a prey animal, they are cautious and nervous if they feel threatened. They like having their own space and may not like an unfamiliar alpaca or human getting close, especially from behind.

 

We started building our herd in 2007, having kept a couple of geldings (castrated males) for a while to make sure they were as trouble free as their reputation suggested!

We now have 4 breeding females, two young females (born 2007), two young males (born 2007), a stud male and our two original geldings.

 

They are shorn once a year, and we have the fibre spun into yarn and then hand knitted into fabulous hats, scarves and shawls. We also have other knitware and gifts, sourced both in the UK and Peru. We sell at craft fairs and local shows and we often take some of the alpacas with us. They enjoy the day out and people love to see them - at one underground craft fair the alpacas even became cave dwellers for a couple of days!!

 

Our fawn female, Kerthua Park Faye was judged Supreme Champion Huacaya of the Show, at the Cornwall Camelid Association's Annual Show on 11th May 2008. Eric, our stud male, was first in his class, and our young black male, Arkel, was a very creditable second in his category. A fantastic day for Hendra Alpacas!!! We then went on to the Devon County Show on the 16th May, where Arkel was again 2nd in his group, and Faye was pulled in 3rd from a class of 17 entries (the biggest class of the day) - a fantastic result considering we were up against the big guns of the alpaca world!!

 

Our stud male Bozedown Eric Troy is now available for hire.

 

For more information:

Tel: 01503 220701 / 07506 604445

Email: info@hendrafarmalpacas.co.uk