So you have caught the alpaca bug and you would like to find out if buying alpacas is right for you? Look no further, here are the basic considerations for alpaca keeping and ownership. Space A minimum of 1 acre of well drained pasture (with a mixture of grasses) per 3-5 alpacas, a basic stock fence, shelter, and ideally more space to rotate and rest pasture.  Plan Why are you wishing to keep alpacas? Are you buying alpacas for a business venture, flock guardians, fibre producers, public attraction or just looking for some very special pets? This will be useful when deciding on you first ..read more

Ideally alpaca and llama halter training should start with weanlings aged 6-9 months old. Younger than that could produce an over handled alpaca who does not respect humans and could go on to develop unwanted behaviour such as rearing up and spitting. It is possible to halter train older alpacas but they usually accept it more quickly if still at an impressionable age. For the purposes of this alpaca handling article I am going to refer mostly to alpacas, but the technique is the same for llamas. Ideally halter train in small positive sessions which can be start from just a minute or 2 in leng ..read more

Here on the farm we are everything alpaca and llama! Charlotte, who runs Cadbury Alpacas, has a wealth of experience in breeding and looking after alpacas and runs the very popular Alpaca and Llama Experience Days. Cadbury Alpacas are breeders of high quality pedigree suri and huacaya alpacas and like all breeders, have had occasions where a cria needed some urgent attention after birth. With this in mind we have written a guide on how to care for a cold alpaca cria.   In their native surroundings of South America, cria are usually born into a warm, dry and sunny daytime climate and ..read more

If you have a little land then owning alpacas as pets can be extremely rewarding. Alpacas are full of character and have a lifespan of roughly fifteen to twenty years, so please do your research before purchasing any animals and ensure you buy from a reputable breeder who will continue to give you support after your purchase.    Keeping Alpacas  If you follow the basic rules below you will embark upon a wonderful journey and almost certainly fall in love with the world of alpacas!   Paddock size – a minimum of one well drained acre for 3-5 alpacas, preferably more acr ..read more

Looking for xmas gift ideas can seem more of a project managed marathon than an enjoyable experience. What with all the rushing around, crowded shops and queuing, not to mention having to carry it all home as well as wrapping and posting! Alternatively why don’t you sit in the comfort of your own home and buy your xmas gifts from Alpaca Emporium  –  we have lots of wonderful goodies for all the family and for all ages, and we can even gift wrap and post them for you as well!   Xmas Gift Ideas for Him What about a unique Alpaca Experience voucher? You can purchase a gift voucher ..read more

Here at Cadbury Alpacas we are very proud of our farm to fibre process and the beautiful alpaca wool products that our talented local crafters produce for us with our alpaca wool. We have some gorgeous products in stock and are often asked how to wash alpaca wool. Alpaca fibre is different from sheep wool as it has no lanolin, making it hypoallergenic and perfect for those with sensitive skin, particularly babies. It is much smoother which dramatically reduces the itch factor. The fibre also has a hollow core meaning that it thermo-regulates, keeping you warm and insulated in winter and cool i ..read more

Do you need to clean your alpaca bedding? Your bed is where you spend a large percentage of your life and we believe a good night’s sleep is essential not a luxury. Our thermo-regulating alpaca bedding products should give you years of use, but we know that accidents can happen! If you throw your morning coffee over your duvet or your dog pays you a visit in bed straight from a muddy puddle, then you may need to have your bedding cleaned. Alpaca duvets, pillows and mattress toppers can all be dry cleaned if required. However, if you wish to avoid any chemicals or if you have had your bedding f ..read more

Our gorgeously soft alpaca socks are simply the best and you can keep them in top condition by following the wash and care instructions below. Not only are they stronger than wool socks and less likely to wear, they also need washing less. This is due to the fact that they have a hollow core and hold no moisture so feet stay dry . Without any moisture there is also no bacteria to cause a smell. Alpaca wool socks are loved by campers, walkers and outdoor enthusiasts for the fact that they can be worn for days on end without washing and still stay fresh! When your alpaca socks need to be washed ..read more

We’re sure everyone thinks life at an alpaca farm is all cuddles and fun, but there is also a serious side to our work which is keeping our gorgeous herd happy and healthy.   Part of the unglamorous side is knowing all about our alpaca poo! With alpacas come potential parasites. Unlike our domestic pets, routine blind treatment for worms frequently misses problems and can end up causing resistance, meaning that the correct products don’t work when needed.   Coming from a dry climate in South America, alpacas are very susceptible to internal parasites that can sadly be fatal if undet ..read more

We are delighted to have some pure suri yarn for sale direct from the alpaca mini mill. We have cream heavy weight double knit (from Jasper Sorrel and Bruce) and a new barber pole yarn in cream/dark brown (from Biscuit and Romeo) Suri alpaca is much silkier and shinier than huacaya (normal) alpaca and this yarn is  super soft as well. In ancient Incan civilisations suri alpaca was known as “the fibre of the gods”, prized above gold and and reserved only for royalty who would “shine like gods” in the sunlight with their precious suri robes. Our suri alpacas don’t behave in a particularly ..read more