Overview of the Body Condition Score (BCS) in alpacas, from underweight to overweight, shown on alpaca fleece

Overview of the Body Condition Score (BCS) in alpacas, from underweight to obesity.

The Weight of an Alpaca (English)

The weight of an alpaca varies depending on factors such as gender, age, and health. Generally, an adult alpaca weighs between 55 and 90 kilograms.

The Average Weight of the Alpaca (English)

The weight of an alpaca is an important indicator of its health and well-being. Gender, age, fleece type, and living conditions play a major role here. An adult alpaca weighs on average between 55 and 90 kilograms, but the correct weight differs per animal. On this page, we explain how to correctly assess the weight and body condition of an alpaca.

This cannot be assessed by sight due to the density and thickness of the fleece.
The fleece structure plays an important role in assessing the weight, especially with differences between Huacaya and Suri alpacas. Read the difference here

How do you determine if your alpaca has a healthy weight? (English)

The scale.

The weight of an alpaca can of course be read on a scale.

  • Male alpacas
     Adult male alpacas typically weigh between 70 and 90 kg. View our stallions
  • Female alpacas
    Adult female alpacas are usually slightly lighter and weigh between 55 and 75 kg. View our mares

  • Young alpacas (cria's)

    A newborn cria usually weighs between 6 and 9 kg, depending on the breed and circumstances. View our alpacas

Body Condition Score (BCS) (English)

The BCS is a numerical score that helps you estimate the body condition of your alpaca. The BCS ranges from 1 to 5, with 3 being considered healthy:

  • Score 1 (too thin)

Ribs, spine, and hips are clearly visible.

  • Score 2 (too thin)

Ribs are palpable but not visible.

  • Score 3 (healthy)

Ribs and spine are slightly palpable but not visible. This is the ideal weight for an alpaca.

  • Score 4 (full)

Ribs are difficult to feel, there is some fat accumulation.

  • Score 5 (too fat)

Ribs are not palpable, clear fat accumulation, especially along the spine and hips.

How else can you determine this? (English)

  • Feeling the Ribs

A healthy alpaca has ribs that you can feel, but that are not visible. If you cannot feel the ribs, this may indicate overweight, while visible ribs may indicate underweight.

  • Body shape

A healthy alpaca has a balanced body shape without excessive fat accumulation. The belly should not sag, and the spine should be palpable but not painful.

  • Behavior and Energy

An alpaca with a healthy weight is active and has a normal appetite. If your alpaca has little energy or withdraws, this may indicate a problem with the weight, such as underweight.

  • Muscle mass and General Appearance

In a healthy alpaca, the muscles are well developed, especially in the shoulders, thighs, and neck. Overweight can manifest as fat deposits along the neck and abdomen, while underweight manifests as an emaciated appearance.

  • Health of the Fleece

The fleece of a healthy alpaca is shiny and full. In case of underweight, the fleece may be dull or fall out, while in case of overweight, the fleece may be more difficult to maintain due to the fat deposits

Regular Weight Check

Regularly weighing your alpaca can help you see if they have a healthy weight. If you do not have a suitable scale, you can estimate the weight at the veterinarian or with a weighbridge.
When weighing, you naturally take into account the thickness of the fleece. See here for shearing.