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

Tripadvisor Travellors' Choice 2021 Award for Alpaca walking with Spring Farm Alpacas

Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice 2021

We are very pleased to have been awarded the Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice 2021 … [Read More...]

Telegraph article on meditating with alpacas

Stressed out? The alpaca will see you now…meditating with alpacas

Meditating with alpacas is now proving very popular. We started offering … [Read More...]

Interview on alpaca walking

Filming alpaca walking

Last week we were delighted to host Lola and Ali from Marjan TV Network. Marjan … [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

We had a great day shearing yesterday…not sure M We had a great day shearing yesterday…not sure Marg would agree! #springfarmalpacas #alpacafarm #alpacalove #alpaccasofinstagram
Huge thank you to all our staff for a seamless she Huge thank you to all our staff for a seamless shearing day today. All our alpacas and llamas are now sporting their Summer attire and wasted no time getting rid of those itches that 5 inches of fleece build up! #springfarmalpacas #alpacafarm #alpacawalking
We are about to start Meditating with alpacas agai We are about to start Meditating with alpacas again here at Spring Farm. This is a guided meditation classsurrounded by the calmness of alpacas. “It’s easy to see how they boost wellbeing” The Telegraph. Dates to come are: 16/5; 30/5, 27/6, 11/7, 25/7, 8/8, 22/8, 19/9 and 26/9. For details and bookings, contact alarna_74 or see www.natures-spark.co.uk
#meditation #meditatingwithanimals #springfarmalpacas #alpacameditation #alpacafarm
Spring Farm Alpacas team at the South of England S Spring Farm Alpacas team at the South of England Show 2022. Betty Boop watching on having taken Champion Female Huacaya Grey at the Show #springfarmalpacas #alpacashow #greyalpaca #alpacafarm #southofenglandshow
Spring is such a great time on the farm. Our beaut Spring is such a great time on the farm. Our beautiful wood anemones are just giving way to our bluebells which will be in their full beauty in the next week! #springfarmalpacas #alpacafarm #alpacawalking #bluebells #springflowers
Our holiday let has great views of one of the birt Our holiday let has great views of one of the birthing paddocks. Sometimes you don’t even need binoculars to spot the alpacas! #springfarmalpacas #alpacas #alpacawalking #alpacafarm #alpacasofinstagram
After every alpaca walk we take our walking guests After every alpaca walk we take our walking guests to meet the baby alpacas. These are the “B” year babies from 2021. In about 6 weeks we will start welcoming the “C” year baby alpacas (cria) too. #springfarmalpacas #alpacawalking #alpacafarm #alpaca #alpacacria
Spring is just the most lovely time to go for an a Spring is just the most lovely time to go for an alpaca walk! We are so blessed to be able to walk across wildflower meadows surrounded by ancient woodland.The whole farm is starting to come alive all around us. #alpacawalking #alpacafarm #alpacalove #spring #springfarmalpacas #springtime
2 new members of the Spring Farm team - senior rod 2 new members of the Spring Farm team - senior rodent operatives: Blue and Whisper. #springfarmalpacas #ragdoll #alpacafarm #ragdollcat #alpacawalking
Class of 2021 getting all grown up now! #springfar Class of 2021 getting all grown up now! #springfarmalpacas #alpacafarm #alpacawalking #alpacasofinstagram #cute #cuteanimals
On 25/4/22 we are offering our first alpaca photog On 25/4/22 we are offering our first alpaca photography day workshop from 10am to 4pm. Full details on www.springfarmalpacas.co.uk website under workshops. We will be photographing alpacas, llamas, wildlife and hopefully steam trains! Only 5 spaces left (of 8). #alpacafarm #photoworkshop #photographer #photography #photosafari #sussexlife
Every walk is a pleasure for us. Sometimes our gue Every walk is a pleasure for us. Sometimes our guests get to have some camera fun as well! This is Mystique - one of our baby llama girls from 2021 - saying hello to Vicki. Thanks Sarah! #springfarmalpacas #alpacafarm #alpacawalking #walkingalpacas #babyllama #llamalove
First time ever on the farm - a leucistic pheasant First time ever on the farm - a leucistic pheasant! Probably not the best camouflage if you are a pheasant… #springfarmalpacas #pheasant #alpacafarm #wildlifephotography #leucistic
On 25/4/22 we are offering our first alpaca photog On 25/4/22 we are offering our first alpaca photography day workshop from 10am to 4pm. Full details on our www.springfarmalpacas.co.uk website under workshops. Only 8 spaces. #springfarmalpacas #alpacafarm #photoworkshop #alpacaphotography #alpacaworld #alpacasofinstagram
We’ve survived the last few days with 3 big tree We’ve survived the last few days with 3 big trees down and a whole load of branches of various sizes too. Can’t help but feel sorry for the lichens and fungi which cling onto the older branches! #springfarmalpacas #alpacafarm #alpacawalk #alpacawalking #farmlife #lichens

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

© 2022 · 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