Now there are about 15,000 alpacas in this country. One reason is the alpaca industry's control of supply and demand. The alpaca registry will be closed in December, with no more alpacas allowed in from South America, which will keep the market strong and the value up. Hull said the real money is in breeding and selling alpacas. Up to five alpacas can be kept on 1 acre, and alpacas don't need a barn.
Alpacas eat grass hay supplemented with grain pellets.
They're very intelligent - they're gentle, kids can be around them. Some 4-H'ers train alpacas to complete obstacle courses, while others show off their animals at fairs, parades and retirement homes. Thirteen of the 31 animals on Hull's ranch are her own, while the others are agisted, or boarded. The huacaya produces crimped fiber, making the animal appear fluffy. Suris produce a finer fiber with no crimp - as the fibers get longer, they look like dreadlocks.