Fibre characteristics of vicu˜na (Vicugna vicugna mensalis)

Characteristics of body and fleece weight, and fleece and fibre quality were evaluated in vicu˜nas (Vicugna vicugna mensalis) captured for live shearing in Huancavelica, Peru. A total of 305 animals were weighted and shorn between 2003 and 2008. Fibre samples from 104 animals shorn in 2008 were analysed using optical fibre diameter analyser (OFDA) and fibre length measured in a subsample of 68 animals. Mean values for body weight, fleece weight, fibre length and fibre diameter were 37.8 kg, 189.7 g, 30.9mm and 13.2 m respectively. Differences due to age were significant for body weight, fleece weight and fibre diameter, but no differences were attributable to sex. The average coefficient of variation of mean fibre diameter was 19.5% showing a higher homogeneity than other luxury animal fibre producers. Mean fibre curvature was medium (79.9◦/mm) showing a low relationship with fibre diameter.