ALPACA BREEDERS AND FLEECE SALES
Links to Other Places of Interest
Origin and
Background
Alpacas are members
of the camelidee (camel) family, which originated in North America. They spread
to Asia, Africa, and South America, evolving into camels, guanacos, vicunas,
llamas, and alpacas. Alpacas date back 6000 years and were domesticated in
South America. Alpacas produce one of the most luxurious fibers in the world.
There are two types of alpacas, the Huacaya with crimpy fleece and the suri
with silky fleece.
Vital
Statistics
The life span of
an alpaca is 15 to 25 years. They weigh 100 to 175 pounds at maturity. Alpacas
will stand up to 36 inches tall at the shoulders. Alpacas come in 22
recognized, natural colors. An alpaca will produce one baby called a cria after
a gestation of 335 to 345 days. A cria will weigh 12-18 pounds at birth and is
able to stand and nurse within an hour of birth.
Health and
Biological
The alpaca is a
ruminant with three stomachs, which makes them very efficient eaters. They
consolidate their feces in one or two spots in the pasture. This controls the
spread of parasites and makes collection easy. Alpaca dung is almost odorless
and is an excellent fertilizer for gardens and flowerbeds. Alpacas are shorn
usually once a year producing four to eight pounds of luxurious fleece. The
fleece is soft, lightweight, and water-resistant.
Housing
Alpacas adapt to
a variety of climates, altitudes and conditions. They are small and easy to
maintain. Alpacas need shelter for protection from foul weather. They do not
challenge fences and are ideal small acreage livestock. Five to seven alpacas
may be kept on one acre of land.
Care
Routine care
entails shearing, worming and vaccinations. Alpacas are very hardy animals
requiring a minimal amount of health care. Alpacas only requite a small amount
of supplemental food in addition to normal grazing. They are quick learners and
constantly communicate with each other by a variety of vocalizations and body
movements.
Pet or
Investment
Alpacas make
excellent pets, fiber producers, and investments. Alpacas are clean intelligent
animals with lovable dispositions. They are gentle enough for children to
handle and make excellent 4H projects. Alpacas are considered the world's
finest livestock investment. They have a high profit potential from marketing
of their fleece, and production of offspring. Because alpacas are considered
livestock, owners receive favorable tax credits.
TOJAPA farm is located in west central
Illinois. We are an hour drive from Peoria, about three hours from St. Louis,
MO and 3 1/2-4 hours from Chicago. TOJAPA is a
small, family-owned, Family- operated and Family-friendly alpaca farm. We like
being small. We can still provide the highest level of personal care and
attention to detail to our herd. It also lets us serve our customers in a way
that ensures their satisfaction. Our farm is home to top quality Huacaya
alpacas.
Tom works full time in the Social Service
field. Jan is now enjoying retirement. Our son Paul is currently in the Marines.
We have had alpacas since 1995. Jan was interested in hand spinning and fiber.
Tom wanted to raise some animals on our small acreage. We were also looking to
do some investing. The alpaca filled all of those interests and more. Thus, our
new lifestyle with alpacas began.
Services available with TOJAPA farm:
Animals
Fleece Boarding Consultation Education
Facility
design Investment opportunities Breeding and stud service
ALL
TOJAPA FARM PRODUCTS ARE FULLY GUARANTEED
We have two outstanding males available
for stud service. DOM FLAVIO and MR. BADATIOUS. We are offering limited breeding for both of
these guys so call and set up a DATE for your girls.
Males
DOM FLAVIO:
Born 3-9-95 is a proud, handsome male. He has excellent, dense fleece coverage.
His beautiful rosy brown fleece is generously mixed with silver and has been in
demand by hand spinners. His sire is Camelot NT813 and his dam is Swirl, out of
Silvercloud. This outstanding male would make anyone an exceptional herd sire.
Mr. BADATIOUS:
Born 11-19-96 is an outstanding silver-gray male who will be in demand as a
herd sire. He has very good, dense coverage of crimpy, soft fleece. This is one
you have to see. His sire is an outstanding silver-gray, C4 Merrill. His dam is
Silverinia out of Silversmith. He placed in the top three in every show he was
in last year.
FEMALES
SILVERINIA: Born 10-3-94 is just incredible. She is very
correct with outstanding silver-gray fleece. She is an excellent and protective
mother. Silverinia is out of Silversmith and Kristin. She has gorgeous gray and
black crias. Here is a gorgeous female that would upgrade any herd.
PRECIOUS GEM: Born 5-28-99 out of Dom Flavio and Alzira. This
precious white female has correct conformation and fine dense fleece. Her dam
is an excellent mother and milk producer. This female can't help but improve
your heard and add to your breeding program.
TOJAPA FARM
Tom Svihla and Janet Daum
652 W. Washington
Lewistown, IL. 61542
309-547-2456
E-mail: mailto:tsvihla@sbcglobal.net
Links to Other Places of Interest
Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association
The Great Lakes Alpaca Association
Related
Page 1 | Related Page 2 | Related Page 3