Oregon Alpacas: Combination of a pet and livestock
@JamesHxstatic (29412)
Eugene, Oregon
May 13, 2016 10:06am CST
My wife Anne went with her art quilting group to visit a member whose rural living style allows them to pasture Alpacas. They have four Alpacas, all named, and the woman harvests and uses the wool they produce. It is luxuriant and very soft. It is warmer than sheep's wool and has no lanolin, so is hypoallergenic.
Driving on country roads, it is not unusual to see Alpacas or Llamas grazing. I found out that there are 16,300 Alpacas registered in Oregon and we are in third place behind Ohio and Washington. Alpacas are herd animals so you need at least two and they can live up to 20 years. They apparently have very individual personalities and make great pets who can even be housebroken.
I won't be shopping for an Alpaca pet, but they sound like interesting animals.
Interesting fact: Instead of scattering waste all over the pasture or yard, the whole herd picks one spot and goes there.
15 people like this
16 responses
@JamesHxstatic (29412)
• Eugene, Oregon
13 May 16
They make great scarves and socks apparently too, @Ladyduck.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (468765)
• Switzerland
13 May 16
@JamesHxstatic My husband has an Aplaca scarf, very warm and light.
1 person likes this
@CaptAlbertWhisker (32640)
• Calgary, Alberta
15 May 16
I am peruvian, Their meat is part of the cuisine. Please dont hate me for that.
Back to the topic, Their poop is great for growing button mushrooms and portabello mushrooms.
2 people like this
@CaptAlbertWhisker (32640)
• Calgary, Alberta
15 May 16
@JamesHxstatic I love them medium rare. *hides*
Back to the topic, Their wool is better than the wool from the sheep.
@JamesHxstatic (29412)
• Eugene, Oregon
15 May 16
I read that it could be used for fertilizing vegetables even. I am a meat eater too.
@JamesHxstatic (29412)
• Eugene, Oregon
14 May 16
Hmm, yes, though it depends on the size of the herd.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29412)
• Eugene, Oregon
14 May 16
I did not know that they sang. That must be interesting.
@blitzfrick (2890)
• United States
14 May 16
I have a sweater made of alpaca wool and I love it. That thing about the poop reminded me of something I heard about dogs: female dogs will pick one spot and go there; male dogs will go anywhere and everywhere. Hmmmm.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29412)
• Eugene, Oregon
14 May 16
Sounds just like male, doesn't it?
1 person likes this
@blitzfrick (2890)
• United States
14 May 16
@JamesHxstatic LOL! Do you know there are toilets manufactured with a fly imprinted in the toilet to help men aim? Urinals, too:
Skip to content Home Our goal at UrinalFly.com is to make the world cleaner one bathroom at a time. This simple product works with a man’s basic instincts to produce a cleaner bathroom and perhaps some laughs along the way. Give them something to aim for a
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29412)
• Eugene, Oregon
14 May 16
@blitzfrick Ummm, no, I 'missed' that interesting fact, lol!
@JamesHxstatic (29412)
• Eugene, Oregon
17 May 16
Yes, they do have a distinctive look when shorn.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (164630)
• Boise, Idaho
13 May 16
I have written some about alpacas. They make great yarn from their wool. Very strong. Very little impact on the earth to raise them too.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39509)
• United States
13 May 16
there used to be'n alpaca farm near here, they'd e'en one day a week where folks could come'n visit'em. i fear such didn't last too awful long ('bout 10 years i believe?) 'n they've since gone outta business. sold off their herd 't $100 each. the hubs tried to convince me i needed a couple, which if'n the health was more stable i'd prolly done, lol. they're jest so darned cute'n filled with personality.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29412)
• Eugene, Oregon
14 May 16
That is what Anne said about the ones she saw yesterday.
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@jillybean1222 (6407)
•
15 May 16
how interesting on the "waste" spot... I love alpaca yarn
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
14 May 16
Interesting. I learn something new on this site every day.
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109846)
• Los Angeles, California
13 May 16
I like Alpacas. They have sweet faces and make funny noises.
1 person likes this
