Happy new Year to all Cd'ers

And a question that's related to my new year resolution, I never make New years resolutions, just so I don't break them, but this year is an exception.

Is there any members here who own or have experience of Alpaca's?...................for future reference ;)

Oh and please tell me what your new years resolution is if you've made any :) Thats just me being nosey.

Sorry, no personal experience - but the people just down the lane from us have about 40!

Not sure if it's any use but I know a dog breeder who also breeds them -he might be able to help?
http://alstonalpacas.moonfruit.com/

A chap in the village where my parents live breed them as well.

Hi

Sorry for my ignorance but is an Alpaca just a pet or used for its wool? or does it serve other perposes?

I know someone who keeps Llama's with his sheep as they are very good at scaring off foxes when there are lambs in the field.  I am sure Alpacas would do similar.

They do produce wool which is good for felting so I believe!

OOh I LOVE Alpacas ...they are a smaller more biddable version of the Llama family - they have gentle, easy to handle natures , they hum when they are happy ( strange but true :)) - are not heavy on pasture as their feet are padded and they come in two different coat types - a more common woolly type or a long silkier finer coat. Both types of coat is sheared and turned into the most fantastically soft garments etc. There is a co-operative that can arrange collection and spinning of the wool and help small farmers sell the products.

Thye have become very popular and although prices have dropped a bit you can expect to pay around £2000 for a female - the babies are just the cutest things ever and are called Crias.

Look on these websites for more info:

www.wellground.com
www.mvalpacas.co.uk
www.alpacaworldmagazine.com

How do I know all this ? .... I was seriously thinking of getting some ( you cannot keep them on their own as they are a herd animal) but have decided to wait until I have retired ;).

Yvonne