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Alpaca Shearing

Alpaca Shearing

November 20, 2023

Alpaca shearing is a vital part of an alpaca’s life. Shearing is an animal welfare issue and therefore one of the most important aspects of alpaca husbandry. Alpaca can be shorn on a table or on the floor, both methods are safe for the alpaca and shearer. The alpaca is restrained, [legs and head] to ensure safety for alpaca and the shearer. It usually takes approximately 5-10 minutes an animal.

A mid side fleece sample can be taken by the shearer for testing. Most shearers will trim the toenails while the alpaca is restrained.

Fleece is the most valuable product of the alpaca and care needs to be taken in harvesting to present in the best condition. Ensure alpaca are kept in a clean paddock before shearing day (free from weeds, sticky seeds etc).

You can find a list of shearers here.

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A new and exciting piece of ‘kit’ for the decision toolbox is colour genotyping. Knowing the genetic colour of your animals and what colour mutations they carry will significantly contribute to or detract from your breeding goals.

Colour genotyping identifies what mutations are carried on the two colour genes (ASIP and MC1R). This is important if you are wishing to breed white or light fawns, as for these colours to be expressed research indicates two dilution mutations are required.

Colour genotyping allows you to predict the percentage chance of a particular colour cria from a particular mating.

Want to breed greys or don’t want to breed greys… colour genotyping will identify if your animal carries the grey KIT gene.

To learn more, register for the Colour Code Conference, Auckland, 17 June 2023.