Spring Farm Alpacas

The most friendly herd of quality alpacas for sale in Sussex, Surrey, Essex and Kent and possibly the whole UK

  • Home
  • Why Alpacas ?
    • Alpaca Basics
    • Alpaca Fibre
    • Alpaca Husbandry
    • Alpaca Types
    • Alpaca Birthing
    • Toe Nail Trimming
    • Biosecurity
    • Useful Links
    • Testimonials
  • Alpacas for sale
  • Stud Male Alpacas
    • Huacaya Stud Males
    • Suri Stud Males
  • Alpaca Walking
  • Holiday Let
  • Services
    • Agistment
    • Services Backup
    • Facilities Design
    • Photograph Alpacas
  • Gallery
    • Springfarm Images
    • Springfarm Videos
  • Events
    • Workshops
    • Shows
    • Husbandry Days
  • Shop
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
Home » Alpaca Birthing

ALPACA BIRTHING

With alpaca birthing, the alpaca’s gestation period averages 11.5 months, but may vary from 11 to 12 months. Any cria born earlier could well need extra help. We tend to bring our heavily pregnant females close to our house for regular observation six weeks before the 11.5 month due date.

Alpacas are generally born between 7am and 3pm and if born later, it is important to make sure the cria is dry before nightfall (and bring it – and mum – into a shelter, if necessary).

The vast majority of crias are born, get up, and feed on their own – without any assistance. However as their mothers do not dry them off at all, we suggest you dry the cria with a clean towel, especially if it is cold or wet (shelter may be necessary – especially early in the year – and you may need to consider fitting a cria coat). If the cria has any blood on it, it should be cleaned off. Check that the cria’s airways (nose and mouth) are clear. We dip the umbilical cord with Iodine (10% Iodine) to prevent infection and repel flies.

It is important not to forget mum – check for any blood on her legs/ tail – and wash off, again so as not too attract flies. Mum should pass the afterbirth in the couple of hours following the birth, and it should be removed and disposed of. The mother’s milk does not tend to flow until the afterbirth has been passed so it is very important to make sure this has occured. Call the vet if after 4 – 6 hours this has not happened.

The next few pictures show a textbook birth here at Spring Farm on the 7th May 2006 – by way of an example. Garlic, the cria, was born without any problems – and both he and Chrissie (his mum) are doing very well – see last picture! However, if you are in any way unsure as to your birth, you should seek advice or call the vet.

1.18pm 1.18pm 1.34pm 1.34pm 1.50pm 1.50pm 1.51pm 1.51pm 1.53pm 1.53pm 1.54pm 1.54pm 1.55pm 1.55pm 1.56pm 1.56pm 2.02pm 2.02pm 2.33pm 2.33pm 2.57pm 2.57pm 3.12pm 3.12pm 3 Weeks Old 3 Weeks Old

The time it takes for a female to give birth may vary. The example above was for a female suri who has given birth before.

Given the importance of a cria having colostrum in its first few hours, it is a very good idea to have some colostrum at home in case it is needed. We have also put together a suggested list of items you may like to have at hand, ahead of a birth:

10% Iodine (to dip the navel) or an antiseptic spray.
Bottle of dried colostrum/ frozen colostrum from your own herd.
Lamb teet – to put on top of colostrum bottle (please make sure it fits before you need it).
Towel – to dry cria – ensure it is clean.
Navel clip – in case of bleeding from umbilical.
Cria coat – in case of being cold.
Laptop computer to access this guide in an emergency! (Only joking)
In the unlikely event of having to bottle feed a cria, you will need a bottle that you can sterilise and use regularly plus lamb teet. For milk, you can use goats milk from a carton (can be kept in the freezer until needed), either for the short or long term. We would use powdered milk replacer for long term bottle feeding. Please contact us for details.

Do remember this can only be a brief guide – there is far more information that can be found in books on this subject.

Share this:

Latest Posts

Gordon...

Alpaca photography days!

One-Day Workshops – Alpacas, Llamas and British fauna and flora. From 2021, we … [Read More...]

Meditating with alpacas here at Spring Farm Alpacas

Meditating with alpacas!

From Spring 2021 (assuming the virus allows us) we will be offering small group … [Read More...]

ALPACA WALKS TO RESUME FROM SATURDAY 4TH JULY 2020!

Great News - our Alpaca walks have been given the go ahead to restart from the … [Read More...]

Shows

There are no upcoming events at this time.

Workshops

There are no upcoming events at this time.

Open Days

There are no upcoming events at this time.

Husbandry Days

There are no upcoming events at this time.

Instagram

Truffle looking stunning even with frost on his he Truffle looking stunning even with frost on his head! #springfarmalpacas #alpacalove #alpacawalking #alpacasofinstagram #alpacafarm #alpacatrekking
Super pleased to see our first snow drops! #spring Super pleased to see our first snow drops! #springfarmalpacas #snowdrops #alpacafarm #winterflowers
Whilst we are not able to offer alpaca walks, we a Whilst we are not able to offer alpaca walks, we are starting halter training the class of 2020. This is Vicki with Aramis. Thankfully we have the facilities to counter the short days too! #springfarmalpacas #alpacatrekking #alpacawalking #alpacafarm #alpacatraining
All Marg needs now is a woolly hat! #springfarmalp All Marg needs now is a woolly hat! #springfarmalpacas #alpacafarm #alpacasofinstagram #alpacalove #alpacawalking
You don’t need a thermometer when you have Reneg You don’t need a thermometer when you have Renegade’s ears to hand! #springfarmalpacas #alpacasofinstagram #frostymorning #alpacafarm #alpacawalking #alpacaworld
Proof (if ever it was needed) that alpacas are rel Proof (if ever it was needed) that alpacas are related to birds and build nests! 😂 #springfarmalpacas #alpacasofinstagram #alpacafarm #alpacatoday #alpacalife
@connorfrancisteague Rillian is just going out wit @connorfrancisteague Rillian is just going out with his mates to spend the evening in Wigan’s field. Happy New Year!
Today we celebrated a very special ladies birthday Today we celebrated a very special ladies birthday! Our darling Marguerite turned 22 today! As you can tell she’s stoked! #imfeeling22 #alpaca #alpacasofinstagram #alpacalove #alpacafarm #alpacawalking #alpacalife #alpacagram #birthday
Not sad to see the back of 2020, so Happy New Year Not sad to see the back of 2020, so Happy New Year to you all and let’s hope 2021 is a cracking year🦙#springfarmalpacas #alpacawalk #alpacafarm #alpacasofinstagram
Wild flowers and fungi are still active even at th Wild flowers and fungi are still active even at the end of December. These are both on the farm now: winter heliotrope and yellow brain fungus (witches butter!) #springfarmalpacas #wildflowers #fungi #alpacafarm #wildlifesafari
Looks like New Year’s Eve will be fancy dress on Looks like New Year’s Eve will be fancy dress on the farm! #springfarmalpacas #alpacafarm #newyearseve #alpacasofinstagram #alpacas
After a visit from Bella, the Mums and Babies are After a visit from Bella, the Mums and Babies are just glad to make it back out to their field! #springfarmalpacas #stormbella #alpacafarm #alpacafarming #alpacafarmlife
We are going into Tier 4 of the Government’s Cov We are going into Tier 4 of the Government’s Covid tier system from Boxing Day...so we are having to cancel our walks in the near future. As before, we will continue to look after our alpacas and llamas with maximum TLC and look forward to getting back walking again ASAP in the New Year. Have a wonderful Christmas and hope to see you all here again soon for walking with our alpacas. #springfarmalpacas #alpacawalk #alpacawalking #alpacafarm #alpacalife
Sansa must be a great story teller! #springfarmalp Sansa must be a great story teller! #springfarmalpacas #alpacalove #alpacafarm #alpacasofinstagram
Happy Christmas to all (especially Sienna) from ou Happy Christmas to all (especially Sienna) from our lovely Oberon #springfarmalpacas #happychristmas #alpacawalking #alpacafarm #alpacasofinstagram

Get in Touch

We are always pleased to hear from you and if there is anything we can help you with then please do get in touch:

Spring Farm,
North Hall Lane
Fletching
East Sussex
TN22 3SA

Tel: 01825 790885
or 07776 181811/12

Email: info@springfarmalpacas.co.uk

  • E-mail
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

© 2021 · Spring Farm Alpacas

MENU
  • Home
  • Why Alpacas ?
    • Alpaca Basics
    • Alpaca Fibre
    • Alpaca Husbandry
    • Alpaca Types
    • Alpaca Birthing
    • Toe Nail Trimming
    • Biosecurity
    • Useful Links
    • Testimonials
  • Alpacas for sale
  • Stud Male Alpacas
    • Huacaya Stud Males
    • Suri Stud Males
  • Alpaca Walking
  • Holiday Let
  • Services
    • Agistment
    • Services Backup
    • Facilities Design
    • Photograph Alpacas
  • Gallery
    • Springfarm Images
    • Springfarm Videos
  • Events
    • Workshops
    • Shows
    • Husbandry Days
  • Shop
  • Blog
  • Contact Us