Shadowlea

The birth of the cria single-handedly announces itself at the most exciting part of Alpaca Breeding.

For your records, ensure you keep meticulous records. Most importantly, note the date of conception and consider the gestation period of 11.5 months to calculate the probable birth date. Although birth generally occurs after 11.5 months, the birth of a cria can be successfully delivered two weeks earlier than the projected birth 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:

- Towels and paper towels - The towels serve the purpose of drying off the cria, and cleaning any access areas of wetness after the birth.

- Rubber gloves - If you need to help out with the birth, the gloves will come very handy.

- Betadine or Iodine - Apply this on the navel of the cria to avoid infection.

- 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.

- Feeding bottles and milk replacement - When you are having many crias, having these two available can be used if a mother produces an insufficient 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 going to experience labor, which lasts between 1 and 6 hours in a typical cria birth. The average birth occurs in the span of 2 hours. Keep in mind notes should be taken during this time, so that patterns can be traced in the event you decide to breed again. The female may exhibit the same birthing traits in her next birth.

Routinely, the front toes and nose will appear first. The dam will break, lasting anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. Your assistance to deliver the cira is not yet needed in this procedure. The cria needs ample time for the fluids to leave the airway. If the rear end of the cria delivers first, the veterinarian needs to immediately be called. Additionally, if the cria is not in the proper position, troubles with breathing may occur, along with umbilical issues. When the female alpaca ceases pushing, it is your job to begin assisting her. Pull downwards (NOT straight out) and steadily on the cria, while remembering to time her contractions. After the cria successfully moves out of the dam, the placenta will break naturally within an hour of birth. The entire placenta needs to be freed from the mother.

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 plus, located below the dam's teats, can be removed if allowed by the mother. The newborn will engage in its first drink of milk at this time, as it is important to the survival of the cria. The first taste of milk is rich in colostrum.

More fun and exciting things are on the way. This is just the beginning of reaping the rewards of Alpaca Breeding.