THE DAM’S BEHAVIOR AFTER THE BIRTH

The Ideal Alpaca Community is a collective effort that is intended to create the maximum opportunity for profitable farms and herds for individual members.

IAC Home > Alpaca Resource Center > Breeder's Tips > The Cria is Born
THE DAM’S BEHAVIOR AFTER THE BIRTH	Print this page Email to a friend

Mothers react differently. Some do not like to nurse until they have passed the afterbirth. Others are attentive immediately. Some first time moms are nervous when the cria pokes around looking for the udder. Some moms will spit at you when you approach the cria, others are proud to have you inspect their baby. Be patient, alpacas are exceptionally good mothers and almost always take loving care of their cria.I have had a few mothers reject their cria or try to kick them off when they nurse. You should check the mother to see if her bag is engorged or if the teats are engorged. If she is engorged she may be in pain and you will need to milk her out.If she rejects the cria it may be that she has lost scent identification. If you still have the placenta, rub that on her. If not my neighbor, who is a sheep farmer, gave me a helpful hint: Right Guard. Spray or roll a little Right Guard on the cria and put a little on the mother’s nose. You might laugh but it sure beats bottle feeding.
top \| The Cria is Born

Essential When Hand Rearing

Body Weight Monitoring is Essential When Hand Rearing ...

MANAGING YOUR ALPACA INVENTORY

Alpacas must be moved from one pasture to another. If you have a large herd you will be sorting them ...

PROBLEM BIRTHS

Alpaca births are relatively problem free. About 5% of births may encounter problems, maybe less. Bu ...

Mt. Si Alpacas
Richland, WA

Site designed by BreedWorks