Shearing: It Is Not Optional

Alpaca fibre keeps growing. Not shearing an alpaca is cruel. It is our responsibility as owners to make sure they are shorn every year.

An unshorn alpaca can end up carrying an extremely heavy, matted coat. The fibre can trap dirt and moisture, attract bugs and parasites, and contribute to skin problems. It can become uncomfortable and unhealthy, particularly during hot weather.

Shearing is not simply about collecting fibre—it is essential animal care. A properly shorn alpaca is lighter, cleaner, more comfortable, and healthier.

Once a year, our alpacas get their summer haircut! There is quite a bit to organize before shearing day, and it takes some planning to make sure everything runs smoothly.

Start Organizing Early!

Shearing is an annual job, so start planning early. I learned how to shear the alpacas myself, which gives me more flexibility when scheduling and saves on the cost of hiring a professional shearer.

If you don’t plan to shear the alpacas yourself, book an experienced alpaca shearer as soon as possible after taking over the farm. Good shearers can be booked well in advance, especially during the busy spring shearing season.

You Need a Team

Shearing alpacas is not a one-person job. A small, reliable team is needed to safely handle and secure the alpacas throughout the process.

The alpacas are gently restrained and tied down during shearing. While this can be stressful and frightening for some of them, proper restraint is important for everyone's safety and helps prevent sudden movements or injuries.

Some alpacas cooperate quite well, while others may resist and need to be carefully brought under control.

Get Your Equipment Ready

Before shearing day, check all your equipment and make sure everything is ready to go. Test the shearing machine, inspect the combs and cutters, and have them sharpened if needed. Make sure your scissors are sharp and ready for use as well.

Check all restraints and make sure they are clean and in good condition. Have plenty of machine oil and any other supplies needed for the day.

Shearing is also a good time to complete the herd’s annual health care. Order any required vaccines and have the appropriate syringes and needles ready in advance, so everything is on hand when the alpacas are being handled.

Prepare the Fibre Bags

Make sure you have enough bags ready for the fleece. We use two bags per alpaca—one for firsts and one for seconds.

Don’t forget the tags! Each bag should be clearly labelled with the alpaca’s name and the appropriate fibre grade so you know exactly what you have when it’s time to sort and process the fleece.

Whenever possible, we also do some pre-skirting as the fibre comes off the alpaca, removing obvious debris and lower-quality fibre before it goes into the bags. This makes the fibre easier to sort and process later.

Don’t Forget to Feed Your Team!

Shearing day is a long and busy day, so don’t forget about the people helping you! Have plenty of water, coffee, snacks, and lunch available to keep everyone going.

A well-fed and appreciated team makes a big difference—and keeps the day running smoothly!

Shearing: Our Annual Harvest

It may sound like a lot of work, but shearing is our once-a-year harvest and an important part of caring for the alpacas. We shear about 8–10 alpacas a day over 5–6 days.

You’ll discover muscles you forgot you had, get very tired—and probably very dirty! Scared alpacas spit, so it’s all part of the experience.

But when it’s finished, the alpacas look clean, comfortable, and beautiful. You’ll be exhausted, but also tired, proud, and completely satisfied knowing you’ve completed an important job for the herd and harvested their beautiful fibre.