If you’re looking to add fiber animals to your farm, you may be trying to decide between alpacas and sheep. Both can provide wool but have key differences when it comes to care, fiber production, and temperament. This guide will explore the pros and cons of raising alpacas versus sheep to help you determine which is the better option for your needs and preferences.
Alpaca vs Sheep: Key Differences
Before diving into the details, here is an overview of the main differences between alpacas and sheep:
Alpacas:
- Originated in South America, part of camelid family
- Produce soft, hypoallergenic fleece
- Docile temperament, gentle on pastures
- Require shelter and protection from heat
- Shorn every 12-24 months
- Minimal health issues, low mortality rate
- Require supplemental feeding and routine care
- Higher startup costs for purchase and fencing
Sheep:
- Originated in Central Asia, part of ovine family
- Produce wool in broader range of textures
- More stubborn temperament, harder on pastures
- Hardy, can tolerate heat and cold
- Shorn every 6-12 months
- More susceptible to disease and parasites
- Can subsist on grass alone in some climates
- Lower startup costs and infrastructure needs
As you can see, there are clear tradeoffs. Alpacas produce valuable fiber but require more hands-on care. Sheep are lower maintenance but have more health issues. Below, we’ll explore these differences in more detail.
Fleece Production for Sheep and Alpacas
One of the main motives for raising alpacas or sheep is to harvest their fleece for wool production. Let’s compare the fiber qualities between the two animals.
Alpaca Fiber
Alpacas produce a soft, durable fleece that is prized for its hypoallergenic properties. huacaya alpacas, the most common type raised, produce 3-10 pounds of fleece per shearing. This fleece is made up of fine fibers with an average diameter of 20-31 microns.
Alpaca fiber comes in 22 natural colors, providing dyers and crafters with a beautiful palette to work with. The colors are rich and saturated due to the follicles containing pigment throughout the entire strand.
Compared to sheep wool, alpaca fleece has the following advantages:
- Softer feel
- Warmer with better insulation
- Lighter weight
- More hypoallergenic with less prickle factor
- Minimal lanolin so requires less cleaning
- More color variations
On the downside, alpaca fiber lacks the natural crimp that gives sheep wool more elasticity and bounce. The fiber also has less tensile strength. Alpaca wool is generally used for fabrics with finer gauge knits rather than heavy materials like winter coats.
Sheep Wool
Sheep produce wool that varies more widely in texture and quality depending on the breed. Most sheep wool used for clothing and fabrics comes from Merino and Rambouillet breeds. Their wool is finer, measuring 18-25 microns in diameter.
Compared to alpaca fleece, sheep wool’s advantages include:
- More crimp and elasticity
- Can be both fine and coarse for varied uses
- Easier to spin due to lanolin content
- Naturally water resistant
- Higher tensile strength for outerwear
- Can be harvested more frequently
Sheep wool comes in a more limited range of natural colors, though it can be readily dyed. It contains lanolin wax which must be scoured out before processing the fiber. Sheep wool may also be less tolerable for people with allergies or sensitive skin.
Hybrid Cria
There is also a third fleece option – hybrid cria from crossing alpacas and llamas. The fleece combines positive attributes from both animals. Hybrid fibers exhibit:
- Soft feel with hypoallergenic qualities
- Good crimp and bounce
- Excellent spinning ease
- Bright color palette
- Lightweight but warm
- Versatile range for knits and outerwear
However, crossing for hybrids takes much expertise and the offspring can have highly variable fleece. Their upkeep is also similar to alpacas in terms of feeding and housing needs.
Comparing Alpaca and Sheep Temperament
Another key consideration is temperament. Llamas and alpacas are gentler and calmer by nature compared to sheep.
Alpaca Temperament
Alpacas have a pleasant, docile nature. They are gentle on pastures compared to sheep and make pleasant companions for their owners. They are intelligent and can be trained to walk on leashes, give kisses, and compete in obstacle courses.
Alpacas communicate through soft sounds called hums, clicks, and alarm calls. Males occasionally spit when confronting each other over females or territory. But they generally coexist peacefully and don’t pose much risk of injury.
Alpaca fiber is most easily harvested by shearing them while standing. They can be restrained gently by halters and cooperate during the process. Their gentle dispositions make them a lower stress operation compared to more stubborn livestock.
Sheep Temperament
While individual differences exist between breeds, sheep tend to be more stubborn in nature. Their herding instinct kicks in strongly compared to alpacas. They are more prone to mob mentality and upsetting each other through crowding.
During shearing, sheep may become stressed and agitated. They often need to be tipped over and immobilized to avoid injury with all the squirming. Sheep butting and crowding can lead to more injuries and predation within the flock. Parasites and diseases also spread more easily in close quarters.
First-time sheep owners are often not prepared for just how stubborn and willful the animals can be. Those with dreams of placidly herding sheep across green fields may be in for a wake up call! Proper livestock fencing and housing is crucial with sheep to prevent escapes and injuries.
Feed and Nutritional Needs for Alpacas and Sheep
To keep your animals healthy, you need to understand their nutritional needs. Here’s how alpacas and sheep compare when it comes to their feeding requirements.
Feeding Alpacas
Alpacas are modified ruminants with a three-chambered stomach. They are well adapted to thrive on grass and hay. However, they do better with supplemental feeding to meet all of their nutritional needs.
A typical diet for a healthy alpaca consists of:
- Grass or hay: 1.5% of their body weight per day. Providing them lush pasture or orchard grass hay ensures good roughage.
- Pellets or grain: 1/4 to 1/2 cup of specialized alpaca feed twice per day. The pellets provide essential minerals, vitamins, and additional protein.
- Fresh water: Clean water must always be available.
- Mineral salts: Free access to mineral salts provides calcium, phosphorus, copper, and selenium.
- Probiotics: Can help their digestive health.
This balanced diet provides enough nutrition for good muscle and fleece development. Their feeding needs don’t fluctuate much between seasons. But pregnant and lactating alpacas need more calories and nutrients for supporting young crias.
Feeding Sheep
Sheep as ruminants can get most of their nutrients from grazing pasture. In climates with year-round grass growth, sheep may only need supplemental hay and mineral salts. Their diet consists primarily of:
- Grass: Allows free grazing on pasture with cool season grasses like orchardgrass, timothy, and clover.
- Hay: Provides roughage and nutrients when grass is limited. Feed 3-4% of body weight in hay.
- Water: Fresh, clean water must always be available.
- Mineral salts: Ensures adequate calcium, phosphorus, and selenium.
- Grain: Only needed in limited amounts for breeding stock and lambs.
The quantity and quality of feed does depend on the season. Flushing with extra grain prior to breeding improves fertility. Pregnant and nursing ewes need boosted nutrition as well. Harsher winters may necessitate feeding extra hay and high calorie grains.
Comparing Alpaca & Sheep Health Issues
When it comes to health problems, alpacas tend to be more robust while sheep are prone to parasites and hoof problems.
Common Alpaca Diseases
Alpacas are relatively hearty animals. With proper care and nutrition, they can live into their late teens or early 20s. Here are some of the main health issues owners should be aware of:
- Parasites: Stomach worms are the primary parasite. Annual fecal checks and deworming help control them.
- Infections: Upper respiratory infections are the most common. Antibiotics treat them but prevention through reduced stress is ideal.
- Tooth issues: Alpacas have fighting teeth that may need periodic trimming along with rear molars.
- Heat stress: High heat and humidity can cause heat exhaustion. Access to shade, fans, and misters helps prevent this.
- Pregnancy issues: Difficult births may require veterinary assistance through cria halting or Caesarean.
Overall though, alpacas have relatively few chronic health problems. Their lower stocking density compared to cramped sheep flocks also reduces contagious illnesses.
Common Sheep Diseases
Sheep are unfortunately prone to a number of chronic health issues that require vigilant prevention and treatment. Here are some to be aware of:
- Parasites: Stomach worms, liver flukes, and foot rot are very common. Deworming and foot baths are essential.
- Infections: Pneumonia and foot rot spread quickly in damp conditions. Isolate and treat infected sheep promptly.
- Tumors and cancer: Older sheep are prone to lumps, masses, and cancerous growths.
- Tooth loss: Sheep lose their teeth as they age, making malnutrition a risk.
- Obesity: Sheep are prone to overeating and getting obese, which leads to other issues.
- Reproduction issues: Assisted lambing may be needed along with dealing with miscarriages and stillbirths.
Sheep do require much more oversight to maintain a healthy flock. But being vigilant with preventative care can help avoid many problems.
Alpaca & Sheep Housing and Fencing Needs
Both alpacas and sheep require shelter and safe fencing. But their exact infrastructure needs differ.
Alpaca Housing
Alpacas need a covered shelter to escape from rain, snow, heat, and sun. The shelter should have good ventilation and fans during hot weather. Other housing considerations include:
- At least 100 square feet per alpaca
- Well-drained pad with sloped grading
- Protection from wind with partitioned stalls
- Accessible feeders and water source
- Segregated space for crias and mothers
A three-sided barn shed open to the south often works well in most climates. Alpacas also need safe fencing. Five foot tall no-climb horse fencing works well as alpacas don’t challenge barriers. But good visibility through the fence is important so alpacas don’t become isolated from the herd.
Sheep Housing
Sheep are heartier than alpacas when it comes to housing needs. Simple three-sided sheds or small barns provide adequate shelter from the elements in many climates. Housing considerations include:
- At least 15-20 square feet per sheep
- Well ventilated but free from drafts
- Protection from excessive sun, wind, and precipitation
- Accessible feeders and water source
- Isolated lambing pens
Sheep fencing should be quite secure as sheep will test boundaries and may mob together to break through. Five foot tall woven wire or electric fencing with reinforcing boards works well. Rotate grazing areas so sheep don’t overgraze or ruin their pasture.
Cost Considerations
When budgeting for a new fiber livestock operation, cost is invariably a consideration. Here’s how alpacas and sheep compare when it comes to upfront and ongoing expenses.
Alpaca Startup Costs
The high startup costs of preparing for alpacas often surprise first-time ranchers. Budget at least $15,000-$25,000 to get started, including:
- $5,000+ for each alpaca: Breeding female prices start at $5,000 and reach $20,000+ for prime stock.
- $10,000+ for fencing: No-climb horse fencing and gates are not cheap but vital.
- $5,000+ for housing: Even a basic shelter and barn pads cost several thousand to erect. Prefab shed kits help.
- $3,000+ for supplies: Feeders, medications, shearing equipment, halters, and more add up quickly.
It’s highly recommended to start small with just a few alpacas your first year. Their longer 12-24 month fleece growth cycle gives you more flexibility too.
Sheep Startup Costs
Sheep can be a more budget-friendly entry point into livestock, with startup costs potentially under $5,000. Typical expenses include:
- $100-$300 per sheep: Decent starter ewes cost a few hundred dollars, especially if buying in bulk.
- $2,000 for fencing: Woven wire fencing and T-posts are cheaper than alpaca no-climb options.
- $500-$2,000 for housing: A basic barn can be built or bought quite affordably.
- $500 for supplies: You may already have some basics like feeders and buckets.
Payback on sheep arrives much more quickly. But you need more sheep to make it worthwhile. They also have higher ongoing care and feeding costs.
Ongoing Care Costs
Alpacas need more supplemental feeding but have lower veterinary and mortality expenses. Annual care costs typically run:
- $400 per alpaca for feed
- $100 per alpaca for routine vet care and medications
- 5-10% mortality rate
For sheep, plan for:
- $100 per sheep for supplemental feed
- $50 per sheep for dewormers, vaccines, and medications
- 10-15% mortality rate
Neither animal is necessarily cheaper long term. But alpacas produce more valuable fleece over their decade+ lifespan.
Choosing Between Alpacas vs Sheep
With this full comparison in mind, how do you choose between alpacas and sheep? Here are some key questions to ask yourself:
- Is your budget limited? Sheep have lower startup costs.
- Are you raising them strictly for fiber? Alpacas produce more fleece over time.
- Do you want friendly pets? Alpacas have a gentle, pleasant temperament.
- Is your pasture space limited? Alpacas have lower environmental impact.
- Are you prepared to provide hands-on care? Alpacas need more supplemental feeding.
- Do you prefer minimal housing needs? Sheep are more weather hardy.
- Will this be a part-time venture? Sheep offer more flexibility.
There’s no universally right choice. But thinking through your specific goals, lifestyle, budget, and capabilities will steer you towards the better fit.
Both alpacas and sheep can provide a rewarding experience raising gentle animals and harvesting luxurious fibers. Weigh the pros and cons presented here as a starting point for your decision making process. And don’t be afraid to ask local breeders for guidance as well!
