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Why do we shear Alpaca?
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Why Shear?
Shearing serves many purposes. Shearing makes breeding easier for the male and female. Crias (baby alpacas) appreciate the effort, which allows them to more easily find mom’s milk. The medulated (hollow core) fiber of alpaca helps to keep warm in winter and cool in summer. Just imagine, however, wearing a five pound alpaca coat in mid-summer. Heat stress can be an issue; and in order to avoid it, our Animal Care staff make sure they spend the hottest part of the year with little else than a one inch layer of fiber.
The Fiber of Kings
Alpacas were treasured by the Incas. In fact, their fiber was once reserved for royalty. It is a luxury fiber that is known for its fineness and “hand”. It feels wonderfully soft and warm. Alpaca fiber comes in sixteen natural colors from pure white to fawn, brown, gray, and pure black with various shades in between.
Alpaca can be blended with other fiber, and it can be dyed any color you can imagine. Alpaca fiber has good thermal properties. This is the result of two characteristics. First, alpaca fiber is hollow, which helps with insulation. Second, the fiber crimp gives a bulkiness in the yarn. This bulkiness prevents the fibers from packing too closely together. Consequently air is trapped in the garment, providing further insulation.
Does the Zoo sell the fiber it collects from its alpacas?
No, the Great Plains Zoo does not sell its fiber. We do however sometimes use it as animal enrichment for our carnivorous animals.
Shearing Alpaca Fiber
We shear our alpacas biannually (every other year). This allows them to grow enough fiber back to keep them warm by the winter. On average we shear anywhere from 15 to 25 pounds of fiber from a single alpaca, depending on the age, density and length of time since the last shearing.
Although the Great Plains Zoo doesn’t sell its alpaca fiber, those who do will routinely separate different parts of the fleece. The prime fleece, on the back of the alpaca, is called the blanket. This is the finest fiber. If used in a garment, it will be used in a location which will most likely touch the skin. Leg, neck and belly fiber is coarser and is often used for other items such as blankets.
Fiber Uses
How do people use this exotic fiber of the alpaca? After shearing, alpaca farms sort it and then send it to a fiber processing mill where the fiber is cleaned, carded and made into roving and/or yarn. Sometimes, these farms also spin some of the fiber themselves and knit it into sweaters, or felt it into hats. Alpaca fiber can also be purchased as raw fleece, or as roving or yarn.
Further Information: Alpaca Fiber Cooperative of North America (external link)
How many ounces of fiber will one alpaca produce?
An adult alpaca might produce 50 to 90 oz. of first-quality fiber as well as 50 to 100 oz. of second and third quality fiber. Some alpacas already achieve, or exceed, these levels.
Who buys the fiber?
Alpaca fiber is sold several ways. Hand-spinners and fiber artists buy raw fleece. Knitters often purchase alpaca yarn. Fiber Cooperative Mills collect alpaca fiber and process it on behalf of the producer.
What is an ounce of fiber worth?
This varies. In its raw state, an ounce of alpaca fiber varies from $2 to $5. Each stage of the process (cleaning, carding, spinning, knitting, finishing, etc) adds more value to the fiber. As a finished garment, it can sell for $10 per ounce. Hand knit goods are more desirable and have sold for $1,000, in some cases.
Fiber Fineness
Fiber judges evaluate fiber mainly by putting their hands on the alpaca’s fleece. They look for a fine soft “hand” and consistency of fiber from the front to the back of the alpaca.
Alpaca fiber can be scientifically measured by cutting a 2 inch fiber sample from the side of the alpaca and sending it to a testing laboratory. The results will be reported in a histogram which graphically shows fiber data for your sample. Three factors have an impact on fiber diameter: age, sex, and level of nutrition.
As an animal matures, its fiber tends to have a higher or coarser micron value. Males sometimes possess a higher micron value than females. The level of nutrition can significantly affect fiber diameter too. Overfed animals produce higher micron values than those who are of average weight.
Last Update:Friday, July 08, 2005 at 12:15:00
