Birthing Alpacas

May. 23, 2016

This is from a site belonging to a full-time alpaca farmer in America. It describes how relatively 'easy' it should be. Our first alpaca lady is due to give birth one day after this blog was composed. Lets hope it all goes as well as it should. Read the information in this link to see if you would be interested in getting into it.

Share this page

In the Irish Heat

May. 15, 2016

Pregnant alpacas nearing their due date are much like pregnant humans on warm sunny days. Today was one such day. Apollo, who is due on 23rd May was showing all the strains a pregnant woman would in the heat. She was a little uncomfortable, lethargic and possibly hoping the whole affair would soon be over. However, she doesn't seem to be showing any signs of givinbg birth just yet.

The four of us brought the alpacas up to their shelter for a time late this afternoon and we talked to them, rubbed them down and generally tried to make them feel more at ease. The pregnant ladies seemed to enjoy the attention and when we left them, they just stood there watching us as if to ask where we were going. At feeding time they flew down and ate all the food on offer.

Time is getting short and so are the nerves while the excitement grows. We await our first cria at Hilltop Farm.

Alan

Getting Close

May. 13, 2016

With only 10 days until our first cria (baby alpaca) is due, things are getting exciting on Hilltop Farm Alpacas. Apollo's tummy has dropped a little further and the cria is really moving around inside. It appears to be an active little one. According to those who know, it is better that the mother goes full term because her cria will be stronger. Some alpaca owners have had mothers who have gone up to 40 days over their due date. I'm not sure if UI could handle the nerves for that length of time given that this is our first time.

I'll keep you all posted.

Alan

Come on in to the shelter. It's raining outside

May. 11, 2016

Cria movements

May. 6, 2016

An alpacas baby is called a Cria which is the Spnish for baby. The gestation period of a cria is 11.5 months or 345 days. Both of our alpacas are expecting and the furthest along, Apollo, is 328 along. Birthing is generally carried out by themselves and has been known to be up to four weeks late. However, looking at our ladies, there is some serious movement in the tummy area and it seems that their crias are extremely active and may want to get out as soon as possible.

I'll update you further as the pregnancy progresses.

Alan

NewerOverviewOlder