Fiber Animals.... What GOOD are They??

Probably the most overlooked part of an alpaca herd is the fiber animal.  Either a gelded male or a non-reproductive female.  Depending on when they were gelded, their fiber is sometimes the most consistent and dreamiest around.  Gelded young, males don't have the testosterone surge they would normally get when they reach breeding age and therefore it never shows up in their fiber.  This makes for some of the most consistent blankets you can shear and process into yarn for years.

Fiber animals also make great 4-H projects for kids!  They enjoy the attention lavished on them from their people friends and are usually inquisitive about the other critters and goings on at the fairgrounds.  Having your kids do a 4-H project with an alpaca is a great attention getter.  Many people haven't had a chance to see one in person let alone get to pet one and visit with an unique alpaca.

Many fiber animals make great companions for road trips if you have to haul your females for a breeding or have a sick animal that needs a trip to a vet.  They are nonstressful company for the animal that has to be on the road.  Fiber animals also make great companions when new animals are brought onto the ranch.  They are oftentimes the first animal who steps forward to 'gently' sniff out the newcomer without trying to mow them down because they might be a threat.

We also keep a couple of adult fiber animals running with our females.  They are usually like guard animals and will definately become attached to their 'charges' and protect them from both wild and domestic predators.  The bonus of fiber animals over herdsires running with the girls is both the obvious one that you don't have breedings you didn't plan for but also that they don't try to prevent you from reaching the newborn crias and bringing them in for a general checkover the day they are born.  It is no fun to be smacked over by an overzealous herdsire trying to get at a new mom when you are trying to get to the new cria!

At SageRidge we really enjoy the fiber boys.  They offer many great surprises in personality and are very fun to watch.  Of course we specialize in fiber production for yarn and felt and they are the basis of our ranch, but still if you are interested in owning a couple of alpacas, just for the pleasure, there isn't a better way to go than a fiber animal.  We have many colors out in our pastures, so if you are intersted give us a call or drop us a line and come out and look at them.  They range in price from $200.00 to $500.00 each.... no one can have just one ;-)