Our alpacas
Part of our family, and the source of some of the finest wool on offer.
About alpacas
Distant relatives of camels and llamas
Alpacas are domesticated animals who can be found on farms all over the world. Originating from South America, they are distant relatives of camels and llamas, and resemble a small llama in their appearance. Female alpacas have a cria (baby) once every year, and are pregnant for eleven and a half months.
Alpacas are becoming more popular on farms across the world because of their wool. Alpaca fleece is incredibly soft and thick. It's similar to sheep's wool, but softer, warmer and hypoallergenic (it does not cause allergic reactions). Alpaca wool is also flame resistant!
Soft & warm
Softer and warmer than sheep's wool.
Hypoallergenic
Alpaca fleece doesn't cause allergic reactions.
Flame resistant
A natural fibre with a surprising safety bonus.
Our herd
Every alpaca has a name
Our alpacas are sheared once a year, and our specialist shearer travels from New Zealand to do this with the greatest care. Our alpacas are a part of our family and are raised in a comfortable environment, producing some of the greatest wool on offer. All our alpacas even have names!
Whenever you buy from Ellie Jake Farm, your product will come with a picture and a name tag of the alpaca that provided the wool for you.
The alpacas are let out into the field every morning and brought back to the front of the house in the evening. This ensures they are under constant supervision and we can keep an eye on them.
Alpacas are very inquisitive animals, and make fantastic guards! Our alpacas run out in the fields with our new-born lambs and their mothers, as well as with the chickens. The alpacas make a great deterrent against foxes.
Rachel
Questions about our alpacas or products?
We'd love to hear from you. Get in touch and Rachel will get back to you.