Spring Farm Alpacas

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

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Home » Alpaca Birthing

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.

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Well after a little debate, Lord Farquhar has deci Well after a little debate, Lord Farquhar has decided to call himself Pink Floyd! To meet Pink Floyd and our other baby alpacas you need to book an alpaca walk here at Spring Farm Alpacas. We walk 5 days a week in Summertime. Please see www.alpacawalking.co.uk for details, availability and booking (and gift vouchers)
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Firefly and his chums have just been let into a ne Firefly and his chums have just been let into a new field - which calls for a huge wizz around before settling down with mum. Book an alpaca walk to meet Firefly and his chums - but fair warning, you might just fall in love! #springfarmalpacas #alpacafarm #alpacas #BabyAlpacas #AlpacaFarm #FarmLife #LifeOnTheFarm #AlpacaLove #CountryLiving 
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To say we are chuffed would be an understatement. To say we are chuffed would be an understatement. Meet Lord Farquhar - a super rare rose gray alpaca. We are doubly pleased as he is the first son of our new stud male - Spring Farm Caesar. #springfarmalpacas #alpacawalking #alpacafarm #cuteness #alpacalife #alpacababy #huacaya #alpacagram #farmlifebestlife #farmlife #countrylife
This is FFFFFerrari - So named because he was zoom This is FFFFFerrari - So named because he was zooming round the paddocks within 2 hours of being born. Heather Huntley has adopted him and they are now best mates! Book an alpaca walk with us and meet them all. #springfarmalpacas #alpacafarm #CuteAnimals #InstaAnimals #AnimalLovers #DailyFluff #FluffBall #TinyFloof #FloofOfTheDay #InstaCute #Petstagram #alpacawalking #alpaca
The Lodge at Spring Farm Alpacas is a fully equipp The Lodge at Spring Farm Alpacas is a fully equipped luxury holiday let set in the middle of our wildflower meadows and, on a regular basis, in amongst our main birthing paddocks. What’s better than being immersed in birdsong whilst watching baby alpacas and their mums all around you. See www.springfarmalpacas.co.uk for details and link to book via AirBnB #springfarmalpacas #alpacafarm #UniqueStays #HolidayLet #AirbnbExperience #FarmStay #CountrysideEscape #StaycationUK #NatureRetreat #RuralRetreat #QuirkyStays #AlpacaExperience #AlpacaHoliday #AlpacaStay #StayWithAlpacas #AlpacaAdventure #MeetTheAlpacas #AlpacaLife #InstaAlpaca
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And meet Heather Huntley! She is soon off to her l And meet Heather Huntley! She is soon off to her lovely new home with her mum Sambuca. HH hit the ground running and hasn’t stopped since! Best book a walk soon to see her, Fifi T and their 2 friends - more to follow! #springfarmalpacas #alpacafarm #alpacafarming #BabyAlpaca #AlpacaLove #AlpacaLife #CuteAnimals #FluffyAnimals #AlpacaOfInstagram #InstaAlpaca #AlpacaGram #AlpacaWorld #AlpacaAddict
Fifi T is now 5 days old. The first few days, we h Fifi T is now 5 days old. The first few days, we had to have her and her Mum (Elsa) in our red room. This is a stable where we put down interlocking judo mats to give a soft bouncy surface. To keep her warm, we have heat lamps running on timers all day/night. Now she is getting the hand of the Mum’s milk bar, she only needs a coat if the weather is either cold or wet. It’s been a long 5 days but completely worth it! #springfarmalpacas #alpacawalking #InstaDaily #PhotoOfTheDay #InstaCute #ExplorePage #ViralAnimals #CutenessOverload #DailyDoseOfCute #alpacafarm
Born on Saturday 24th May, little Fifi Trixibelle Born on Saturday 24th May, little Fifi Trixibelle joined us five and a half weeks before she was due to arrive! Baby alpacas are only really viable 6 weeks prior so we have had to bottle feed her every 2/3 hours since. Touch and go at first but she has now discovered Mum’s milk and hopefully sorted from here! By the way, it’s the “F” year for 2025. If you book a walk with us, you will get to meet Fifi T and her 3 compatriots after the walk. Bring your camera! You need to book on www.alpacawalking.co.uk though as we cant cater for walk ins. #springfarmalpacas #alpacawalking #InstaDaily #PhotoOfTheDay #InstaCute #ExplorePage #ViralAnimals #FurryFriday #CutenessOverload #DailyDoseOfCute
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We are now at maximum fleece on our baby alpacas ( We are now at maximum fleece on our baby alpacas (crias). This is Elle and in 2 days, our lovely shearer is coming to give her and all her pals a quick short back and sides. With a mini heatwave on its way, the timing could just be spot on! #springfarmalpacas #alpacafarm #alpacasofinstagram #alpacababy #alpacaselfie #alpacawalk #alpacawalking #alpacaworld #alpacalife
The class of 2024 just loving life as they come in The class of 2024 just loving life as they come into the barns for afternoon tea. Currently living on the lawn as a temporary field! We will very soon be starting halter training to see who gets to join our walking team! #springfarmalpacas #alpaca #alpacafarm #alpacawalking #alpacawalk #thingstodo #outdoorfun
So, is anyone in our holiday let at the moment? Ho So, is anyone in our holiday let at the moment? Hope they don’t mind me enquiring… #springfarmalpacas #alpacafarm #holidaylet #holidayletting #holidaytime #farmlife #farmanimals #farmstays #staycation

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

© 2025 · Spring Farm Alpacas

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  • 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