Any advice about caring pregnant alpaca

[snipe67]

I have alpacas and the other one is pregnant? I want to be sure she is healthy troughout her pregnancy.

 any tips and advice out there ^^, thanks

[ollynem]

I am only new to alpacas so not 100% sure myself but this is what I have learnt so far.
 
Don't shear them as they get close to birthing. Approx 2weeks before hand apparently is fine just not in the few days leading up to birthing. This goes to transporting them also if you had any plans to do so.
 
Be careful if you have a choice as to when they breed (apprently July and August are terrible months due to the cold) Crias can not maintain there temp for a few days and are prone to getting cold so if they are born in the cold you may need to rug them for the firt 5-7days. In the summer when its very hot make sure they have shade and keep an eye on them as the heat doesn't bother mother as much and she will leave bub in the heat as she feeds.
 
As for diet I am not sure on that one. I guess just the normal food is fine alhtough if hand fed Ive heard of others feeding them twice a day instead of just once (I dont think the volume is much greater just spread over two meals) If mum is vacinated then this should cover her Cria for the first few weeks but then I guess you should be looking at immunising the Cria after this time.
 
What I have heard is mainly about protecting mum from the heat and cold when they are very close as if they birth suddenly or unexpectedly unless your there you could find the cria freezing or heat stroke etc. Do you know when she is due?
 
I have two pregnant alpacas that are due next year so this is just what I have been told from experienced breeders. Other then regularly checking them I am going to be preparred with a cria coat in case its freezing when its born and Ill pop the coat on it as soon as its dry. Its very exciting. 

[snipe67]

Hi ollynem
ohhh.. I need to be sure that my mum won't get colds..  thanks for this tip ^^,
her due date is on december closely to january next year.
I wish december had a warm weather but not super hot.. so that her cria can adjust easily to the environment..

I'm also get so excited to see her cria ^^,
goodluck also for your two mums hope they will get a healthy cria next year,
by the way what month next year is your pregnant alpacas due date?

Thanks once again
snipe

[ollynem]

Mine have only recently been joined so I expect the crias to arrive May/June next year. I haven't picked them up from the stud yet. One was suppose to be due Dec this year but apparently she cushed to be mated recently which meant she had slipped the pregnancy at some stage (apparently this is quite common in alpacas) I wouldn't have wanted her mated when they did as its starting to get really cold here (like minus 6 degrees) but as the woman sold her to me pregnant she mated her again and then told me what she did 2weeks later. I am waiting for a spit of before collecting the pair. I can't wait.
 
I also am in the market for another female preferrably with a femlae cria at foot.

[snipe67]

ohh.. when will your another female with cria at foot will arrive? it was so exciting ^^,

[ollynem]

So far I have at my place the one female with female cria thats 2months old and then arriving in about a fornight I have another female with female cria at foot who is 3months old and then another pregnant female. So I'll have 5 females.
 
Some one suggested not buying a stud male until I have about 10females (to warrant one) however in September I have one I want to join and don't have a male and the travel and price for a mating is to high so I have started looking for one for myself. I've found a suitable one although he is black and I prefer fawn so I'll keep looking. Two of the girls are suppose to be pregnant due end of May/June next year. I have my fingers crossed I get 2 healthy crias then.
 
Also I organised a shearer for early December so that is good. 

[snipe67]

ohh.. I see.. for your opinion what will be the reason for not buying a stud male?
goodluck again for the two girls next year hope they have a healthy crias to be born.
I'm also planning to prepare a shearer on october or november not decided yet ^^,

[ollynem]

I am currently looking for a stud male alpaca. I've found one I am keen on but I am waiting on my tax return. I am hoping he doesn't sell before I have the chance to get him. I was advised not to get one but have decided against that for myself as I don't want the travel to do matings and spit offs etc that I'll have to do without my own. If I do get him I will only have one lady for him this year and 4 late next year. Just hoping it works out.