Everything You Need to Know About Alpaca Shearing
- Jeffrey Ebel
- Dec 31, 2025
- 30 min read
A Complete Guide on All Things Related to Alpaca Shearing
Are you curious about alpaca shearing and want to know more about the process, logistics, or best practices? You’re in the right place!
Alpaca shearing is usually the most critical practice that an alpaca farmer will ever oversee, and shearing day can tend to be one of the most stressful days of the year if you’re unprepared or not confident in your process. It affects animal welfare, long-term health, fiber quality, and even farm economics. So it’s good to familiarize yourself with how things should go and feel comfortable and confident with the process conducted on your farm.
For new alpaca owners, especially, misinformation about shearing is everywhere. Some owners delay shearing out of fear. Others attempt to do it themselves without understanding the risks. And some underestimate how much planning, skill, and experience go into a safe, successful shearing day.
This page brings together decades of professional alpaca shearing experience, thousands of animals handled across multiple regions of the United States and internationally, and real-world alpaca experience. Whether you own two alpacas, manage a large breeding farm, or are just curious about alpaca shearing in general, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about alpaca shearing, from welfare and timing to fiber handling, costs, logistics, and long-term herd management.
By the end, you should feel confident, informed, and prepared — not just for your next shearing day, but for making good shearing decisions year after year.
What This Guide Covers
This page walks through alpaca shearing from multiple angles. Here's what we cover. You can click on the topic below, and it will take you right to the section!
Throughout the guide, you’ll find references to deeper articles that expand on specific topics, allowing you to explore details without losing the big picture.
Why Alpaca Shearing Matters
Alpacas are domesticated animals. Unlike wild camelids, they do not naturally shed their fiber in a way that allows them to regulate body temperature effectively. Human care is not optional — it’s a responsibility.
Heat Stress Prevention and Temperature Regulation
One of the most important reasons alpacas must be sheared is to manage their temperature. Alpaca fiber is an incredible insulator, but it’s also what makes unshorn alpacas vulnerable to overheating, especially in the hottest and humid months.
Heat stress in alpacas can lead to lethargy, decreased appetite, reproductive issues, and even death. When done at the appropriate time, shearing allows alpacas to safely regulate their body temperature during the summer while giving their fleece time to grow back to insulate them in the colder months, when needed.
Fiber Quality and Value
From a fiber collection perspective, annual shearing is best. Delayed shearing leads to fiber breaks, matting, and inconsistent staple length. Poor shearing practices can permanently reduce the value of an alpaca’s fleece for that year.
Skin Health
A full fleece hides a lot – and keeps a lot in. Allowing the skin to breathe on an annual basis does a lot for an alpaca. When skipped, it can lead to or hide a plethora of skin issues, wounds, abnormal swellings, and body condition changes that can all go unnoticed when an alpaca remains unshorn.
Shearing provides a clear, full-body view of each animal — often the only time all year when issues become visible, allowing you to address them effectively.
Welfare, Not Convenience
Perhaps most importantly, shearing is about welfare for the alpaca. When done correctly, alpaca shearing improves comfort, reduces stress long-term, and supports overall herd health. Avoiding shearing or delaying it unnecessarily creates more harm than good.
When Should Alpacas Be Sheared?
Best Time of Year to Shear Alpacas
In most regions of the United States, alpacas are sheared in the springtime, between when they need their coats to protect them in the winter months and before the hot and humid summer heat sets in. For example, alpaca shearing in New York typically runs from mid-April to mid-June.
Exact timing depends on:
Regional climate
Farm infrastructure
Weather variability
Animal age and condition
As temperatures rise, it’s important to consider both heat and humidity when planning shearing. Alpacas are especially vulnerable once warm conditions become consistent, because their dense fiber traps heat and limits their ability to cool themselves.
A common rule of thumb used by many farms is to monitor the combined temperature and humidity levels — once conditions regularly approach or exceed the caution or warning range, the risk of heat stress increases significantly. For this reason, shearing is ideally completed before hot, humid weather becomes the norm, giving alpacas time to acclimate and regulate their body temperature more effectively going into summer.
Below is an infographic that breaks down heat and humidity risk levels and what they mean for alpacas.
Most alpacas require shearing once per year. Some animals or regions may have adjusted schedules, but annual shearing is the standard.
Navigating Weather And Alpaca Shearing
Weather is often a big consideration in shearing planning. It matters to schedule your shearing in the proper window, but it also helps to be prepared for undesirable weather that may arise as your date gets closer.
If you’re shearing your own animals, you may have the advantage of being able to easily reschedule your planned shearing day if needed, but if you’ve hired a professional shearer, chances are they are booked up most days for months as they travel around to help as many alpacas as possible. Because of this, flexibility is limited — and preparation becomes critical.
Rain, unexpected cold snaps, and even sudden heat waves can understandably cause concern about your animals and your scheduled shearing day. The good news is that with proper planning, shelter, and communication, many weather challenges can be safely managed without canceling or delaying your shearing day. Being prepared to work around weather — and to create the best possible scenario despite it — often allows shearing to move forward safely and efficiently.
Cold Snaps, Rain, and Sudden Heat Waves
Unpredictable weather is one of the most common stress points for alpaca owners leading up to shearing day. A sudden cold snap after shearing can pose risks, especially for cria, elderly alpacas, or animals with low body condition. Likewise, rain can affect fiber collection, animal handling, and overall safety if a dry workspace isn’t available.
Heat waves bring a different concern. In warmer conditions, the goal is to minimize time under restraint, provide shade and airflow, and plenty of water whenever possible. While the weather can’t be controlled, the environment you shear in can be. Even if you don’t have a big barn to utilize, you can buy or rent large tents with sidewalls that can truly save the day! Here’s a good option for a 20x20 pole tent.
Regional Climate Differences and Planning Realities
Shearing in the Northeast can look very different than shearing in the Southern states. Northern farms often balance lingering cold with the need to remove heavy fiber before warmer weather arrives. Southern farms, on the other hand, prioritize avoiding heat stress and may shear much earlier in the year.
Understanding your regional climate helps set realistic expectations. It also explains why professional shearers often follow tight regional routes and seasonal windows. What works safely in one part of the country may not be appropriate in another, which is why local experience and knowledge matter.
When to Delay Shearing — and When Not To
Delays are sometimes necessary — but they should be strategic, not fear-based. Severe weather events, truly unsafe conditions, or the absence of adequate shelter may justify rescheduling. However, postponing shearing too long can introduce other risks, most importantly, heat stress.
In many cases, preparation — not postponement — is the better solution. Communicating early with your shearer about weather concerns allows you to plan together and make informed decisions that prioritize a safe and positive experience without unnecessary delays.
Emergency Shelter and Backup Plans
Having a shelter plan in place is one of the most important ways to manage weather risks during shearing. Access to a barn, run-in shed, or temporary shelter can make the difference between a stressful situation and a smooth shearing day.
Preparing for Alpaca Shearing Day
Shearing day can feel overwhelming at times — the thought of orchestrating a smooth shearing session while ensuring your alpacas' comfort and well-being can be a lot to handle. But with the right preparation, it can become a well-coordinated, low-stress event for you, your herd, and the shearing team.
Every detail counts, from setting up a proper environment to having supplies and help ready. By taking these steps, you’ll streamline the process and contribute to your animals’ health during this important annual task.
What Alpaca Owners Should Do Before the Shearer Arrives
Preparation starts before the shearers arrive, giving you the chance to create a calm, safe environment. Here are some tips on how to get ready:
Keep Animals Dry – Alpacas should ideally be dry at the time of shearing. If rain is expected, consider sheltering them overnight, or even locking them in 24 hours prior to shearing time to be safe. Wet fleece can slow shearing, make handling and fiber collecting more difficult, and increase the risk of cutting the alpaca’s skin. While shearing wet alpacas is doable when necessary, it’s best for all involved if it’s avoidable.
Prepare the Shearing Area – The best setup is a dry, level, shaded area with enough space to lay out one or two shearing stations of about 8x16 feet. Shade is essential on hot/sunny days, as mats and equipment can become uncomfortably warm.
Contain Your Alpacas – Animals should be penned at least an hour before shearing. This reduces stress and allows the shearers to begin promptly. Note that some alpacas may be cautious around unfamiliar people and equipment, and making your shearers catch them in open pasture may incur an additional fee.
Provide Access to Power – Most shearing equipment requires electricity, so it’s a good idea to have access to power within 100 feet of the work area. For many shearers, if necessary, a portable generator can be arranged with advance notice.
Organize Fiber Bags and Labels – Prepare 2–3 clear bags per alpaca and label them with the animal’s name, year, and fiber quality that will be stored inside. We like to use these bags from Amazon, or these from AOA. You may also want to prepare small ziplock bags for fiber sample collection on shearing day.
Gather Helpful Supplies – Towels or rags for managing spit or accidents, livestock fans for hot weather, and water or sports drinks for the crew are all useful to have on hand.
Plan for Special Animals – Heavily pregnant alpacas, older animals, or animals with behavioral considerations should be noted so the shearers know to take extra care.
What to Expect During Shearing
Shearing day can feel busy and chaotic, but with a professional crew, the process is designed to be efficient, low-stress, and safe for all involved. Here’s what to expect when a shearing team arrives on your farm.
Getting Started On Arrival
Most shearing teams work a busy schedule and shear alpacas all day, every day during the spring. So don’t be surprised if they get right into setting up for shearing when they arrive.
The crew may begin setting up quickly, positioning mats, equipment, and animals to optimize workflow.
Don’t be surprised if their optimal layout looks a little different than what you were expecting. Communication is key between you and your shearer.
Owners and helpers are encouraged to ask questions throughout the process.
Two-Station System
The majority of the top professional alpaca shearers in the US operate a two-station ground restraint system for optimal efficiency and safety.
Two mats are set up with a restraint system and a shearing machine at each.
One alpaca is sheared while the next is prepared at the second station.
Each animal should typically be restrained for only 5–10 minutes to minimize stress.
Keeps workflow efficient and smooth for the crew, helpers, and animals.
Owner and Helper Roles
Owners and helpers typically assist in collecting and bagging fiber, unless other arrangements have been made.
Queue the next animal as directed by the crew.
Avoid touching clippers, cords, or pulling fleece prematurely.
Follow crew guidance to ensure safety and efficiency.
Concerns about animals, workflow, or fiber handling can always be directed to the crew lead.
Calm, Controlled Handling
Alpacas are large animals and aren’t always the easiest to handle. A good alpaca handler needs to balance gentleness with firm guidance to maneuver the alpaca as needed. The best handlers know precisely how to move with an alpaca to be caring, firm, and gentle all at the same time.
Some alpaca resistance is normal; professional shearers are trained to minimize stress.
Animals should be restrained on padded mats to ensure comfort and safety.
Efficient and careful handling reduces risk for both alpacas and humans.
Additional Services During Shearing
Nail trimming, dental care, and fiber bagging can often be completed during shearing by most professional alpaca shearers.
Allows owners to handle multiple herd health tasks in a single visit.
Streamlining the Process
Following these steps helps create a calm, well-organized shearing day:
Have an accurate headcount of animals to keep the schedule on track.
Have all supplies ready before the team arrives, including bags, labels, towels, and any special equipment.
Communicate any special considerations about specific animals to the shearers ahead of time.
Plan for efficient workflow, such as assigning helpers to bag fiber at each mat.
With these preparations, shearing day can be transformed from a stressful chore into a smooth, positive experience for your alpacas, your farm, and the shearing team. Read more about how our shearing team asks clients to prepare for shearing day.
Is Alpaca Shearing Safe?
Alpaca shearing is generally safe when done correctly — but it is important to be honest: shearing is never entirely risk-free. Any form of livestock handling carries some level of inherent risk, and shearing can occasionally aggravate or expose an existing issue, such as poor body condition, underlying illness, advanced age, or pregnancy-related stress.
Shearing is also, by nature, a stressor. Alpacas are prey animals that typically do not enjoy restraint or close handling, especially from unfamiliar faces. Even with excellent technique, the process can be uncomfortable or unsettling for them. That said, the risks associated with professional shearing are far lower than the risks of not shearing at all, which include heat stress, skin issues, mobility complications, and long-term welfare decline.
The goal of safe shearing is not to eliminate stress entirely — that’s unrealistic — but to minimize its duration and intensity through skill, preparation, and efficiency.
Stress Levels During Alpaca Shearing
Some resistance or struggle from the alpaca during shearing is normal. What matters is whether that resistance is managed calmly and efficiently, or allowed to escalate into panic. Professional shearers are trained to recognize early stress signals and adjust their handling before problems arise.
Multiple studies and long-standing industry experience show that faster, more efficient shearing — when done correctly — is safer and less stressful for alpacas. Prolonged restraint, improper pressure and handling can all lead to unnecessary stress added to the alpaca. In contrast, confident, well-practiced handling reduces the total time the animal is restrained and allows them to recover more quickly afterward.
Key factors that help reduce stress include:
Proper restraint and positioning
Smooth, deliberate movements
Understanding of the alpaca’s anatomy and movement tendencies
Minimal downtime during the shear
An organized and efficient shearing environment
When shearing is done efficiently, most alpacas tolerate the process well and return to normal behavior shortly afterward.
Safety for Helpers, Owners, and the Shearing Team
Shearing day involves sharp equipment, physical exertion, and close contact with large animals. Because alpacas can react suddenly — especially when stressed — human safety is also a critical consideration.
Clear roles, communication, and boundaries help prevent accidents. Owners and helpers should understand that stepping in without direction can increase risk for both people and animals. Professional crews work as coordinated teams, which reduces confusion and helps maintain a calm, controlled flow throughout the day.
A well-run shearing setup and defined roles for everyone involved protect:
The alpacas
The shearers
The farm owners and helpers
Why Experience and Method Matter
Because shearing can exacerbate existing health issues, experience matters. Skilled alpaca shearers know how to adapt their approach for alpacas that are older, thinner, pregnant, or behaviorally sensitive. They should also recognize when to change pace, modify positioning, or recommend delaying a specific animal if necessary.
Understanding proper shearing methods helps owners make informed decisions and avoid unnecessary risk — especially when evaluating professional services versus DIY attempts.
Professional Alpaca Shearing vs. DIY Shearing
Alpaca shearing is a skilled, physical trade that directly impacts animal welfare, handler safety, and fiber harvest quality. While many alpaca owners choose to hire a professional shearer, DIY shearing can be a viable option for those who are willing to invest the time, training, equipment, and patience required to learn the craft properly.
That said, professional alpaca shearing remains the best and most practical option for most farms.
DIY Shearing: A Serious Commitment
Shearing your own alpacas is not something to approach casually. Owners who successfully shear their own animals typically:
Commit to learning proper restraint techniques
Invest in quality equipment and ongoing maintenance
Accept the physical demands of the work
Understand that mistakes can happen, especially early on
DIY shearing comes with real risks, including cuts, increased stress on the animal, and injury to the handler. For those willing to learn effectively, practice carefully, and accept responsibility, it can be done — but it’s a difficult trade that takes many years to master.
Experience Matters
The best professional alpaca shearers bring:
Thousands of animals’ worth of hands-on experience
Deep knowledge of alpaca behavior and stress signals
Precision blade control around sensitive areas
First-hand experience and training on how to deal with a number of possible scenarios or wounds that may occur
Efficiency that allows less stress on the animals and all involved
What may look simple in a video is often the result of years of repetition and refinement. That experience becomes especially important when shearing elderly animals, pregnant females, cria, or alpacas with medical or mobility issues.
Speed Reduces Stress
Efficiency is not about rushing — it’s about competence.
Faster shearing means:
Less time restrained for the alpaca
Less restraint reduces physical and mental stress
Animals recover more quickly post-shearing
DIY shearing typically takes significantly longer, which can increase fatigue, overheating, and agitation, especially in warmer weather.
Safety for Alpacas and People
Professional shearers are trained to:
Minimize skin cuts and strain on the animals
Avoid overextension or injury of limbs
Maintain safe working positions for both alpaca and handler
Fiber Quality and Control
Experienced shearers know how to:
Remove the primary fleece (blanket) cleanly
Avoid second cuts
Keep fiber separated and uncontaminated
While fiber quality may not be a priority for every owner, careful removal still plays a role in the overall health of the alpacas.
Cost, Time, and Practical Considerations
When evaluating DIY versus professional shearing, many owners find that professional shearing is actually more cost-effective once they factor in:
Equipment costs (clippers, blades, sharpening, maintenance)
The learning curve and risk of mistakes
The physical toll of shearing multiple animals
Lost time that could be spent on other farm responsibilities
The need for additional help
Professional crews shear efficiently, safely, and consistently — often completing in hours what might take an owner several long days.
The Bottom Line
DIY alpaca shearing is possible for owners who are committed to learning a challenging skill and accepting the risks involved. However, professional alpaca shearing remains the safest, most efficient, and most economical option for most farms, especially those with multiple animals or special-care alpacas.
Choosing a good professional alpaca shearer isn’t about taking shortcuts — it’s about prioritizing animal welfare, safety, and peace of mind.
How to Find a Qualified Alpaca Shearer
Finding the right shearer is one of the most important steps in ensuring a safe, successful, and low-stress shearing day for your alpacas. The right professional brings experience, skill, and overall knowledge, helping to protect both your animals and your investment in their fiber.
Look for Experience
Years of hands-on shearing with a specialty in alpacas
Comfort handling animals of different ages, temperaments, and health conditions
Proven track record of efficient, safe, and careful shearing
Check References
Ask for testimonials from previous clients or farms
Check with your contacts in the industry – word-of-mouth references are king
Look for shearers who consistently meet schedules and communicate clearly
Verify that past clients were satisfied with both the process and the quality of fiber handling
Consider Regional Familiarity
Familiarity with local weather and seasonal considerations
Knowledge of regional herd health and biosecurity practices
Experience navigating different farm layouts and logistics
Additional Tips
A qualified shearer will communicate clearly, answer your questions, and provide guidance on preparation and aftercare
Ask about their methods, protocols, and how they handle emergencies or special circumstances
Ensure they are comfortable providing guidance for owners who want to observe or help safely
Hiring a trained and experienced alpaca shearer ensures your animals are handled with care, your fiber is properly managed, and your shearing day goes as smoothly as possible.
Shearing Logistics and Scheduling in the U.S.
Organizing your shearing day requires careful planning and timing, especially when working with professional shearers who travel extensively across many regions. Understanding the logistics and scheduling realities can help you secure a spot and ensure you won’t be left scrambling for help at the last minute.
Professional Shearers Book Months Ahead
Experienced shearers often have tight schedules that fill quickly, especially during peak shearing season in the spring and early summer.
Booking early ensures your farm is included in a route and allows the shearer to plan for your herd.
Delays in scheduling can happen if you contact your shearer too late in the year. We suggest reaching out to your shearer by the end of February in the Northeast US.
How Shearing Routes Work
Professional shearers travel in carefully planned, efficient multi-farm routes to minimize travel.
Scheduling is organized so that farms in the same region are sheared consecutively, reducing downtime and keeping the process cost-effective and efficient.
Your shearing date is tied to these routes, which is why available dates and rescheduling may be limited.
What “Your Date Is Your Date” Means
Many shearers have hundreds of clients across many states and can’t always accommodate specific date requests.
You’ll often have your shearers ask, “What dates DO NOT work for you?” instead of asking what dates you want. Planning these routes is like putting a puzzle together, so work with them and be understanding.
They may only be able to offer you a few select dates.
Once a professional shearer confirms your appointment, that date and time are reserved for your farm, allowing the crew to prepare and allocate enough time for your herd.
Multi-Farm Coordination Tips
Coordinating shearing with other alpaca farms in your area can make professional shearing more accessible, efficient, and cost-effective—especially when working with highly experienced shearers.
Coordinate with local farms to have the same shearer: Shearing multiple nearby farms can significantly cut travel time and overall expenses. And make it more likely that a high-demand shearer is willing to come to your area. Talk with your local alpaca community to possibly get a better shearer in your area.
Combine headcounts across farms: Grouping animals from multiple farms to be sheared at the same location can reduce the per-animal cost or setup fees.
Align farm readiness: Coordinate with the other farms to provide help for each other or updates on how the day is going from farm to farm – this can keep the day moving smoothly and avoid delays.
Be realistic and flexible: Shared shearing days require cooperation — clear expectations and flexibility help ensure a positive experience for all farms involved.
Proper planning, early booking, and clear communication with your shearer make all the difference for both your animals and your team.
How Much Does Alpaca Shearing Cost?
Alpaca shearing costs can vary widely across the U.S., depending on location, herd size, travel requirements, and the level of service provided. While prices differ from shearer to shearer, professional alpaca shearing fees typically reflect far more than just time spent cutting fiber.
Understanding how pricing is structured can help you plan ahead and avoid surprises on shearing day.
What Alpaca Shearing Pricing Typically Reflects
Most professional alpaca shearers structure their pricing around several key factors:
Base or Setup Fee
Many shearers charge a base fee or minimum service charge, which helps cover scheduling, route planning, equipment transport, setup, and travel time.
This fee applies regardless of herd size and ensures the shearer can make the farm visit viable.
Animal Count and Volume Discounts
Per-animal pricing is common, often decreasing as the number of alpacas increases.
Volume-based tiered pricing is standard across the industry and helps equalize the shearers' hourly work/pay ratio.
Travel and Routing Considerations
Farms located farther from established shearing routes may incur higher costs for additional travel.
Professional shearers plan regional routes carefully, and pricing often reflects the logistics involved in reaching each farm.
Farm Readiness
Farms that are well-prepared — with animals dry, penned, and a suitable shearing area ready — allow the crew to work more effectively.
Delays caused by difficult catching, wet animals, or unprepared spaces can sometimes lead to additional charges.
What May or May Not Be Included
Shearing prices are not always apples-to-apples. It’s important to understand what’s included before scheduling.
Some shearers:
Include nail trimming with shearing
Offer multiple cut styles (show cuts, puffy cheeks, barrel cuts, custom styles, etc.)
Provide fiber handling guidance or assistance
Others may charge separately for:
Nail trimming
Catching difficult animals
Additional animals beyond the scheduled headcount
Having fewer animals than stated
Hidden Fees vs. Clear Communication
Reputable shearers aim to be upfront and transparent about pricing. Unfortunately, owners sometimes encounter unexpected charges when details aren’t discussed in advance.
Before booking, always ask:
Is there a base or setup fee?
What is the per-animal cost?
Are nails included?
Do you offer tooth trimming?
Are there additional charges for difficult animals, wet animals, or inaccurate headcounts?
What services are optional add-ons?
Clear communication before scheduling ensures:
No surprises on shearing day
Proper budgeting for herd care
A smoother experience for both owner and shearer
Cost vs. Value
While it may be tempting to choose the lowest price available, alpaca shearing is a specialized, physically demanding skill that directly affects animal welfare, fiber quality, and safety. Pricing often reflects the shearer’s experience, efficiency, and ability to minimize stress and risk.
In many cases, professional shearing proves more cost-effective long-term when owners factor in:
Time saved
Reduced animal stress
Lower injury risk
Better fiber outcomes
Better overall shearing appearance
Not all shearing services are created equally. Many less-experienced shearers are available at lower rates than the top pros in the industry, and that may suit some farms well. But it’s good to consider what is best for you. Understanding how alpaca shearing prices are structured allows owners to make informed decisions and confidently schedule this essential annual service with the right company.
Alpaca Shearing Ethics and Animal Welfare
Ethical alpaca shearing is grounded in animal welfare, professional skill, and transparency. Alpaca shearing is not an act of exploitation — it is a necessary and responsible form of animal care.
Ethical alpaca shearing prioritizes:
Animal comfort, including calm handling and minimizing time under restraint
Proper restraint, designed to keep the alpaca secure without causing unnecessary panic or pain
Skilled blade work, which reduces pulling, nicks, and prolonged exposure
Owner transparency, allowing owners to observe, ask questions, and understand the process
The best professional alpaca shearers are masters at combining efficiency with care, recognizing that faster, smoother shearing — when done correctly — is safer and less stressful for the animal than prolonged handling and drawn-out shearing processes.
Why Misinformation About Alpaca Shearing Exists
Much of the confusion surrounding alpaca shearing comes from three primary sources:
Activist content created by individuals who do not fully understand alpaca domestication or husbandry needs
DIY advice from under-experienced owners or hobby shearers
Well-meaning but outdated guidance that does not reflect current best practices
Short video clips shared online often show stressed animals, poor restraint, or inefficient handling. These scenarios can be upsetting to watch, but they do not represent professional alpaca shearing standards on reputable U.S. farms. At the same time, new owners may encounter conflicting advice on forums or social media, where experience levels vary widely, and context is often missing.
Alpaca shearing is a skilled profession that requires training, physical ability, and a deep understanding of alpaca behavior. Without that context, it’s easy for misinformation to spread.
When exposed to videos of shearing alpacas, there’s always a small percentage of individuals who come crawling out of the woodwork to say that shearing is animal abuse… But what they don’t understand is that shearing is absolutely mandatory for an alpaca's survival!
In fact, we shear hundreds of alpacas every year that are kept as beloved pets and aren’t raised for their fiber – even if their fiber will be thrown away, they still need to be sheared. Shearing is not about exploitation; it’s about animal welfare.
They often ask, “Why do alpacas need shearing if they’re not sheared in the wild? ”The answer is that there are no wild alpacas. In fact, alpacas descend from the wild vicuña of the Andes and have been selectively bred by humans for thousands of years, specifically for their fiber.
Through this long domestication process, alpacas were developed to grow dense, long, continuously growing fleece that does not naturally shed the way many wild animals’ coats do. As a result, they are entirely dependent on human care.
Regular shearing is not optional — it is a critical part of alpaca health and welfare. Without shearing, the fiber keeps growing, causing dangerous overheating, restricted movement, skin issues, and increased stress, regardless of whether the fiber is harvested, sold, or discarded.
Owner Oversight and Professional Accountability
Ethical shearing includes informed and engaged ownership. Alpaca owners should feel empowered to:
Ask questions about methods and equipment
Observe the shearing process
Communicate special health or behavioral concerns (and feel heard)
Understand why specific techniques are being used
A good professional shearer should welcome this transparency and operate with accountability. Clear communication between owners and shearers helps ensure that animal welfare remains the top priority and that expectations are aligned on shearing day.
Common Alpaca Shearing Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
Most shearing problems don’t come from bad intentions — they come from poor timing, lack of preparation, or underestimating how technical alpaca shearing really is. Avoiding the mistakes below can dramatically improve safety, efficiency, and animal welfare.
Shearing Too Late in the Season
One of the most common — and most harmful — mistakes is waiting too long to shear. By early summer, alpacas can begin struggling with heat and humidity.
In most parts of the U.S., alpacas should be shorn by the end of June
Delaying shearing into the hottest months greatly increases the risk of heat stress
Pregnant, elderly, and low–body-condition alpacas are especially vulnerable
DIY Shearing Without Proper Training
DIY shearing is possible, but attempting it without proper training and equipment often leads to:
Increased stress and longer restraint times
Poor-quality cuts and damaged fiber
Higher risk of nicks, cuts, or muscle strain
Alpaca shearing is a learned trade that requires skill, strength, and experience.
Poor or Inconsistent Restraint
Improper restraint can:
Cause added stress to the alpaca
Lead to unnecessary struggling
Raise the risk of injury to both alpacas and handlers
Calm, controlled, consistent restraint by experienced handlers is essential for a safe shearing.
Lack of a Clear Shearing-Day Plan
Many stressful shearing days stem from poor logistics, not just poor shearing.
Common planning mistakes include:
No plan for how alpacas will be corralled and penned
Animals chased or caught right before shearing
No plan for shade, fans, and a clear shearing area
No assigned roles for:
Moving animals
Bagging fiber
Managing gates or flow
A simple, organized plan keeps animals calmer and the day moving smoothly.
Not Hiring Experienced Alpaca Shearers and Handlers
Experience matters. Hiring untrained or inexperienced shearers — or relying on helpers unfamiliar with alpaca handling — increases the risk of:
Injuries
Excessive stress
Poor fiber harvest
Professional shearers and seasoned handlers work efficiently, recognize stress signals early, and adjust as needed.
The Takeaway
Most alpaca shearing mistakes are preventable. Shearing on time, planning ahead, watching the weather, assigning clear roles, and using experienced professionals all contribute to a safer, smoother, and more humane shearing experience for everyone involved — especially the alpacas.
Aftercare: Immediate Post-Shearing Alpaca Care
Once shearing is complete, alpacas should be checked and monitored. With the fleece removed, this is an ideal time to visually assess the animal for things that may have been hidden before, such as skin irritation, sores, or any signs of abnormal conditions. Catching these issues early allows for quicker, more effective treatment.
It’s not uncommon for some alpacas to show mild stiffness, tenderness, or a slight limp immediately after shearing. It’s important not to panic — but do take note. In most cases, it’s just a limb that “fell asleep” during shearing, and this resolves on its own within a short period.
If limping, weakness, or coordination issues persist or worsen, it may indicate an underlying injury that was aggravated during shearing or, in rare cases, spinal concerns such as meningeal worm, where symptoms can be triggered by stress or handling. Continued observation and care when something doesn’t improve are key parts of responsible post-shearing care.
Health Checks That Pair with Shearing
Shearing day provides a unique opportunity to combine routine health care with fiber management, making the most of your time with each animal. With your alpaca already handled and briefly restrained, it’s a good opportunity to perform some health checks without causing extra stress.
Key Checks to Consider:
Toenail Trimming: Shearing provides a perfect chance to inspect and trim toenails. Overgrown nails can lead to uneven gait, joint strain, or infections. Most professional alpaca shearers include nail trimming as part of their service, saving you time and handling stress.
Dental Work: Many shearers also offer dental care, such as front and fighting tooth trimming. This is an ideal time to address these needs.
Vaccinations and Shots: Some farms administer routine treatments during shearing, such as monthly ivermectin or parasite prevention. Others administer an annual CDT shot during shearing, but many veterinarians caution against this. Administering vaccines at the same time as shearing can increase stress and potentially compromise the immune response, which doesn’t pair well with shearing, so it’s important to consult with your vet and plan accordingly.
Body Condition Scoring: With the fleece removed, you can more accurately assess your alpaca’s body condition, checking for weight loss, muscle tone, or fat coverage that may have been hidden under dense fiber. This helps guide feeding plans, supplements, and overall herd health management.
Other Observations: While checking body condition post shearing, you can also spot skin issues, wounds, or signs of parasites that may have been obscured by thick fleece. Early detection allows for timely intervention, reducing complications and keeping your herd healthy.
If you plan additional herd-health checks/procedures while your alpacas are restrained with the shearer's equipment, discuss it ahead of time with your shearing team. Don’t assume the shearers will allow extra work during shearing, as it can slow down the workflow.
Pairing these routine health checks with shearing can reduce overall handling stress and support the long-term well-being of your alpacas.
Biosecurity and Disease Prevention
Don’t forget to protect your herd from spreadable diseases and parasites. If any animal has a visible, contagious issue — such as mites, fungal infections, or open wounds — make sure you employ biosecurity measures. Clean and disinfect the equipment, mats, and tools between animals/farms, and consider isolating affected animals to prevent spreading illness to the rest of the herd.
Minor Bleeding During Nail or Tooth Trimming
During routine alpaca care, it’s not uncommon to see some bleeding — especially when trimming nails that haven’t been cut in a while. Alpaca nails can bleed more than people expect, but this is rarely a cause for concern. While the amount of blood can look alarming, infections from nail bleeds are extremely uncommon, if not unheard of. In most cases, once the alpaca stands and applies natural pressure to the nail, the bleeding slows and stops on its own.
It’s important to stay calm. Blood has a way of triggering panic, but understanding what’s happening helps keep the situation under control. You can apply blood stop powder or a light bandage to speed up clotting, but even without intervention, the nail will stop bleeding, and the alpaca will be just fine.
The same applies to tooth trimming. Minor gum bleeding can occur, similar to what humans sometimes experience during dental work. This is normal and not a sign of injury or pain. As with nails, calm handling and observation are key. If bleeding persists beyond a short period, it should be addressed, but in the vast majority of cases, bleeding stops within 10 minutes, and no harm comes to the animal.
Remaining calm, informed, and prepared makes all the difference for both you and your alpaca.
Alpaca Behavior During Shearing
Alpacas are naturally prey animals and often dislike being handled, so even calm animals may show stress during shearing. But there’s no need to be alarmed – understanding what is normal behavior will help ease your mind.
What to Expect
Alpacas are cautious creatures and may react differently during shearing. Here’s what you can anticipate:
Initial Wariness: Alpacas may hesitate, back away, or refuse to enter the shearing area at first.
Spitting, Peeing, and Vocalizations: Spitting or peeing while being restrained is normal. Some alpacas will vocalize loudly or "scream" to let their displeasure be known or sound their warning call.
Struggling or Minor Resistance: Some resistance is normal as the alpaca adjusts to restraint. Professional shearers use calm, controlled handling to minimize stress and prevent injury.
Signs of stress: some alpacas will droop their lower lip for a while after a stressful event, like shearing. It’s merely a way for them to display that they are stressed.
Happy alpacas: Even after what may seem like an unpleasant few minutes for them, nearly all alpacas will be thrilled to have their fleece off after shearing is complete. You can expect to see alpacas running around, jumping, sunbathing, and even rolling around in the dust to enjoy the new freedom their bodies feel!
Just like a little kid getting a haircut, some alpacas will vocalize loudly to show their displeasure during shearing. It’s not painful for them — it’s simply their way of saying “I don’t like this!” The good news is that the process is over quickly, and within minutes, they’re back in the pasture enjoying life. While some may scream the entire time, others hum and enjoy the process; it really comes down to their personality and mood that day.
What Happens to Alpaca Fiber After Shearing?
Once an alpaca is sheared, the fleece begins a new journey — one that can range from professional mill processing to hands-on home projects. What happens next depends on fiber quality, owner goals, and available processing options.
Fiber Processing Options
Alpaca fiber can be processed in several ways, each serving a different purpose:
Commercial and Micro Mills: Many owners send fiber to small regional mills or larger commercial mills for washing, carding, spinning, and finishing. These mills are equipped to handle alpaca fiber properly and consistently, turning raw fleece into roving, yarn, batting, or finished products.
Fiber Co-ops: Co-ops pool fiber from multiple farms to maximize efficiency and share costs. In the Northeast, farms often work with organizations like Empire Alpaca Association Co-op or New England Alpaca Fiber Pool, which help coordinate grading, batching, and mill processing.
Hand Processing: Some owners prefer to skirt, wash, card, and spin fiber themselves. Hand processing is rewarding but labor-intensive and typically best suited for smaller quantities or artisan work.
Mills We Know and Trust
Over the years, we’ve worked closely with many mills and fiber professionals. Two of our longtime favorites are Autumn Mist Fiber Mill and The Mill at Stony Meadows. We shear for both operations, know their teams well, and can confidently say they do exceptional work with alpaca fiber.
Beyond these, there are many good mills across the U.S. and internationally, and choosing the right one often comes down to turnaround time, product offerings, and how your fiber is graded.
The Alpaca Fiber Processing Journey
Before alpaca fiber becomes usable, it must go through several essential steps:
Sorting/bagging: During shearing, as fiber comes off the alpaca, each section of fiber is collected and placed into its own bag based on quality and location on the body (blanket, seconds, thirds)
Skirting – Removing vegetable matter, second cuts, and lower-quality sections
Washing – Gently cleaning fiber without damaging structure
Carding or Combing – Aligning fibers for consistency
Spinning or Felting – Creating yarn, roving, or finished goods
Finishing – Setting twist, washing again, or preparing for use or sale
Each step affects the final quality of the product, which is why choosing skilled processors and handling fiber carefully from the moment it hits the ground matters.
Different Grades of Alpaca Fiber
Not all fiber from an alpaca fleece is processed the same way:
Prime / Blanket Fiber: The blanket is the highest-quality portion of an alpaca’s fleece. It is the softest, cleanest, and most uniform fiber, making it ideal for next-to-skin yarns, garments, fine textiles, and high-end products.
Seconds: Seconds are slightly coarser or shorter than the prime blanket, but still very usable fiber. They are commonly processed into yarns for outerwear, hats, mittens, socks, and durable knit or woven items where softness is important but not critical.
Thirds: Thirds are coarser or more variable in length and are best suited for hard-wearing or non-garment uses. This fiber is often used for rugs, felting projects, insulation, batting, stuffing, or craft applications where strength and structure matter more than softness.
Shorter Leg and Belly Fiber: These areas are typically kept separate due to higher contamination levels, increased coarseness, or inconsistent fiber structure. While not ideal for spinning, they can still have some value for felting, stuffing, or utility products.
Proper skirting after shearing is one of the most important steps in preserving fiber quality, along with proper bagging during the shearing process. Separating fiber by grade at the start helps ensure each portion of the fleece is used to its fullest potential and processed appropriately.
Whether your fiber ends up as luxury yarn, durable rugs, or a personal spinning project, knowing what to do with it after shearing ensures the fiber can be put to good use.
Practical Reminders About Alpaca Shearing For New Caretakers
Owning alpacas is deeply rewarding, but shearing season often introduces realities that catch new caretakers off guard. Much of this comes down to how difficult shearing is, timing, and scheduling. Understanding these factors ahead of time helps set realistic expectations and leads to smoother, less stressful shearing days year after year.
Limited Availability of Professional Shearing Teams
There are far fewer experienced alpaca shearing crews than there are alpacas that need to be sheared each spring. Most professional shearers travel long routes, service thousands of animals each season, and book their schedules months in advance. Waiting too long to reach out often means limited date options or missing the ideal shearing window altogether.
Non-Negotiable Schedules
Shearing schedules are tightly planned around geography, travel efficiency, weather, and animal welfare. Unlike routine farm chores, shearing dates are not easily moved. Weather delays, missed appointments, or unprepared farms can disrupt an entire route, which is why professional crews operate on firm timelines and expect animals and facilities to be ready upon arrival.
The Physical and Emotional Intensity of Shearing Day
Shearing day can be fast-paced and physical for everyone involved — animals, owners, and crew alike. Even calm alpacas may resist handling, vocalize, or show stress, which can be emotionally challenging for new owners to witness. Understanding that this behavior is normal and temporary makes the experience far easier to process and prevents unnecessary anxiety.
Long-Term Cost and Planning Considerations
Shearing is not a one-time expense but an annual commitment that should be planned for long-term. Costs can vary based on herd size, location, and additional services, and they often increase as farms grow. Budgeting ahead, booking early, and maintaining good communication with your shearer helps keep costs predictable and avoids last-minute surprises.
For new alpaca owners, these realities may feel daunting at first — but with preparation and the right professional support, shearing quickly becomes a routine and manageable part of responsible alpaca care.
Shearing Pregnant Alpacas
Many people ask, “Should we shear our pregnant alpacas with the rest of the herd?” Understandably so, there’s often concern for the mom and cria while pregnant and shortly after giving birth.
Pregnant alpacas are routinely shorn in spring along with the rest of the herd, and in most cases, this should not be delayed. Leaving a pregnant female in full fleece as temperatures rise into hot, humid weather poses a far greater risk than the short, controlled stress of professional shearing.
Why Spring Shearing Matters
Carrying a full fleece into late spring and summer greatly increases the risk of:
Heat stress and overheating
Dehydration and humidity-related complications
Skin and parasite issues
Added strain during late pregnancy and labor
Shearing in spring allows pregnant females to regulate their body temperature more effectively and stay comfortable as gestation progresses.
Understanding the Risk Balance
Shearing is inherently a stressor, and pregnancy adds sensitivity. However, when handled by experienced professionals, serious complications are rare, while heat stress from remaining unshorn is significantly more common and dangerous.
For this reason, most veterinarians, breeders, and professional shearers agree that shearing pregnant alpacas in spring is the safer choice. That being said, there’s always a risk when handling alpacas and introducing them to stress, so it’s best for you to weigh the risks and decide what you’re most comfortable with.
Communication and Aftercare
Owners should identify pregnant animals before shearing day so handling can be adjusted if needed. After shearing, provide water, shade, and a calm environment. Most pregnant alpacas recover quickly and return to normal behavior within minutes.
The Bottom Line
Shearing pregnant alpacas in spring helps prevent heat-related complications and supports healthier pregnancies. Delaying shearing and allowing full fleece to carry into hot, humid weather is almost always the greater risk.
About the Authors & Our Experience
This guide was written by Jeffrey Ebel, owner and lead shearer at Ebel Shearing Services, with input from experienced professionals across the alpaca industry.
Our team has sheared more than 50,000 alpacas across the United States. Between us, we bring decades of hands-on alpaca experience, working with herds of varying sizes, show animals, pregnant alpacas, senior animals, first-time crias, and farms of all kinds.
Our work is grounded in real-world shearing days — not theory. We specialize in alpacas and focus on:
Animal welfare and low-stress handling
Efficient, practiced shearing techniques
Clear communication with owners
Proper fiber harvesting
Excellent shaping to topknots, tails, and legs
This article also reflects shared knowledge and best practices from respected breeders, fiber processors, veterinarians, and professional shearers within the alpaca community. These perspectives help ensure the guidance here reflects current, widely accepted standards — not isolated opinions.
Everything in this guide is based on firsthand experience, repeated application, and accountability in the field.
If you’re planning alpaca shearing and want to understand what a safe, professional shearing day should look like, this guide reflects the same approach we bring to the farms we work with. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions at all!
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