This is the most awaited part of Alpaca Breeding. The reward you have been waiting for is here, the birth of a cria!
At the start of this process, ensure accurate records are kept. The date of conception is important to note as the gestation period can predict a probable birth date. The gestation generally lasts 11.5 months, but some females can give birth two weeks prior to their expected delivery date.
To keep a watchful eye on the pregnant females, a maternity paddock is useful. If one female pregnant alpaca is present, a more relaxed and elder animal may be placed with her. Alpacas tend to require company rather than being in their lonesome state. If no extra space is available, keep an eye out for the female.
It is now time to prepare a birthing kit for the arrival of the cria. The kit should be located in a place that is easily assessable. The following items should be a priority within the kit:
- Paper towels and towels - This can be used if there is a need to dry off a cria, clean your hands or any other cleaning up that needs to be done.
- Rubber gloves - It is important to keep the surrounding area clean during the birth, and gloves can help protect against harm during the cria's birth.
- Betadine or Iodine - Iodine and betadine ensure a clean and safe birth upon lubrication to the navel.
- Sling scale - The birth weight of the cira will be measured using a scale. In any birthing and breeding endeavor, keeping track of the weight is vital.
At the start of this process, ensure accurate records are kept. The date of conception is important to note as the gestation period can predict a probable birth date. The gestation generally lasts 11.5 months, but some females can give birth two weeks prior to their expected delivery date.
To keep a watchful eye on the pregnant females, a maternity paddock is useful. If one female pregnant alpaca is present, a more relaxed and elder animal may be placed with her. Alpacas tend to require company rather than being in their lonesome state. If no extra space is available, keep an eye out for the female.
It is now time to prepare a birthing kit for the arrival of the cria. The kit should be located in a place that is easily assessable. The following items should be a priority within the kit:
- Paper towels and towels - This can be used if there is a need to dry off a cria, clean your hands or any other cleaning up that needs to be done.
- Rubber gloves - It is important to keep the surrounding area clean during the birth, and gloves can help protect against harm during the cria's birth.
- Betadine or Iodine - Iodine and betadine ensure a clean and safe birth upon lubrication to the navel.
- Sling scale - The birth weight of the cira will be measured using a scale. In any birthing and breeding endeavor, keeping track of the weight is vital.
- Milk refills and bottles for feeding - Upon the birth of the cria, milk is needed for nourishment. Sometimes, additional milk is needed in the event the mother cannot produce an ample amount of milk.
Call your vet when the female is in active labor to be on standby. It is very rare for the alpacas to have complicated births but in case it happens, having your vet on standby is reassuring. There will be signs that are very noticeable when the time comes closer. The dam will appear uncomfortable, may kick and circle around the paddock. A drop of jelly-like liquid may be seen around her vulva and her mammary glands will be swollen. Take note that these signs can be seen from 2 weeks to 2 hours before giving birth.
Evolution plays an important role on the time that they give birth. The time they usually give birth is between 10 o'clock in the morning to 3 o'clock in the afternoon. Some believe the reason for this is tied to the cold temperature in the mountains where they originated. As the time of birth draws closer the amount of fluid coming out of the vulva will increase. You may observe other alpacas sniffing her hind end. You will see the dam going to the dung pile more frequent but will not be able to relieve herself. She will not be eating at all. She will be more restless, getting up and down more often.
The female is now in active labor which lasts from 1 to 6 hours, averaging around 2 hours. Start keeping notes for your own breeding records. Most likely, the same traits will be exhibited by this dam on her next birthing. Her daughters may also show the same signs.
Typically, the nose and front toes will deliver first. The dam will begin to seep and break. This period lasts from about 30 minutes to an hour. The cria needs time to extract fluids from its airway, so your assistance in delivering the cria is not yet needed. If the cria happens to be delivered in the wrong position, troubles with breathing and the umbilical can occur. When the female enters her final pushes, it is now time to assist her. Pull in a downward motion (NOT straight out) and steady the cria. Keep note of the female's contractions. The cria should now successful be out of the dam. The placenta is now visible and will naturally remove itself from the cria within an hour. The entire placenta should be separate from the female at this time.
Unlike other animals, the
Call your vet when the female is in active labor to be on standby. It is very rare for the alpacas to have complicated births but in case it happens, having your vet on standby is reassuring. There will be signs that are very noticeable when the time comes closer. The dam will appear uncomfortable, may kick and circle around the paddock. A drop of jelly-like liquid may be seen around her vulva and her mammary glands will be swollen. Take note that these signs can be seen from 2 weeks to 2 hours before giving birth.
Evolution plays an important role on the time that they give birth. The time they usually give birth is between 10 o'clock in the morning to 3 o'clock in the afternoon. Some believe the reason for this is tied to the cold temperature in the mountains where they originated. As the time of birth draws closer the amount of fluid coming out of the vulva will increase. You may observe other alpacas sniffing her hind end. You will see the dam going to the dung pile more frequent but will not be able to relieve herself. She will not be eating at all. She will be more restless, getting up and down more often.
The female is now in active labor which lasts from 1 to 6 hours, averaging around 2 hours. Start keeping notes for your own breeding records. Most likely, the same traits will be exhibited by this dam on her next birthing. Her daughters may also show the same signs.
Typically, the nose and front toes will deliver first. The dam will begin to seep and break. This period lasts from about 30 minutes to an hour. The cria needs time to extract fluids from its airway, so your assistance in delivering the cria is not yet needed. If the cria happens to be delivered in the wrong position, troubles with breathing and the umbilical can occur. When the female enters her final pushes, it is now time to assist her. Pull in a downward motion (NOT straight out) and steady the cria. Keep note of the female's contractions. The cria should now successful be out of the dam. The placenta is now visible and will naturally remove itself from the cria within an hour. The entire placenta should be separate from the female at this time.
Unlike other animals, the
Evolution plays an important role on the time that they give birth. The time they usually give birth is between 10 o'clock in the morning to 3 o'clock in the afternoon. Some believe the reason for this is tied to the cold temperature in the mountains where they originated. As the time of birth draws closer the amount of fluid coming out of the vulva will increase. You may observe other alpacas sniffing her hind end. You will see the dam going to the dung pile more frequent but will not be able to relieve herself. She will not be eating at all. She will be more restless, getting up and down more often.
The female is now in active labor which lasts from 1 to 6 hours, averaging around 2 hours. Start keeping notes for your own breeding records. Most likely, the same traits will be exhibited by this dam on her next birthing. Her daughters may also show the same signs.
Typically, the nose and front toes will deliver first. The dam will begin to seep and break. This period lasts from about 30 minutes to an hour. The cria needs time to extract fluids from its airway, so your assistance in delivering the cria is not yet needed. If the cria happens to be delivered in the wrong position, troubles with breathing and the umbilical can occur. When the female enters her final pushes, it is now time to assist her. Pull in a downward motion (NOT straight out) and steady the cria. Keep note of the female's contractions. The cria should now successful be out of the dam. The placenta is now visible and will naturally remove itself from the cria within an hour. The entire placenta should be separate from the female at this time.
Unlike other animals, the dam does not clean the cria by licking. If you choose, you can lightly dry the cria using the towel in your birthing kit but avoid the navel area because this is easily damaged. Gently apply betadine on the navel to avoid infections. Make note of your cria's birth weight. Let the mother and the baby bond.
The waxy plugs found below the dam's teats can be slowly removed if allowed by the mother. The vital first drink of the newborn is significant to the immune system of the newborn and should begin promptly an hour after birth. The first feeding is rich in colostrum, adding healthy benefits to the immune system.
This article only begins to touch on the breeding rewards of Alpaca Breeding.
About the Author:
The female is now in active labor which lasts from 1 to 6 hours, averaging around 2 hours. Start keeping notes for your own breeding records. Most likely, the same traits will be exhibited by this dam on her next birthing. Her daughters may also show the same signs.
Typically, the nose and front toes will deliver first. The dam will begin to seep and break. This period lasts from about 30 minutes to an hour. The cria needs time to extract fluids from its airway, so your assistance in delivering the cria is not yet needed. If the cria happens to be delivered in the wrong position, troubles with breathing and the umbilical can occur. When the female enters her final pushes, it is now time to assist her. Pull in a downward motion (NOT straight out) and steady the cria. Keep note of the female's contractions. The cria should now successful be out of the dam. The placenta is now visible and will naturally remove itself from the cria within an hour. The entire placenta should be separate from the female at this time.
Unlike other animals, the dam does not clean the cria by licking. If you choose, you can lightly dry the cria using the towel in your birthing kit but avoid the navel area because this is easily damaged. Gently apply betadine on the navel to avoid infections. Make note of your cria's birth weight. Let the mother and the baby bond.
The waxy plugs found below the dam's teats can be slowly removed if allowed by the mother. The vital first drink of the newborn is significant to the immune system of the newborn and should begin promptly an hour after birth. The first feeding is rich in colostrum, adding healthy benefits to the immune system.
This article only begins to touch on the breeding rewards of Alpaca Breeding.
About the Author:
Alternative farming such as alpaca farming and deer farming, and if space is a limitation, then also rabbit farming, are all ways for farmers to generate extra income.