Birthing Process

Figure 1

A few days before the birth you may notice the alpaca visiting the toilet area more frequently and humming excessively. As labour approaches, there is a visible dilation of the vulva (Figure 1) you may also see contractions occurring which signals the start of labour.

Labour usually begins in the morning with some alpacas birthing in the early afternoon. This is because back in Peru on the high mountains, night temperatures are very cold, and an early birth gives the cria chance to dry out properly.

Once labour begins, the rest of the birth usually follows in quick succession. The cria should be out and on the ground within an hour. Most cria are born without any assistance.

Assuming the alpaca is in the correct position, it will present itself head first, facing down with its legs extended over its head (Figure 2).

Figure 2

The shoulders are the broadest part of the baby and so this is often the slowest part, as the mother will have to push a bit harder to get them out.

Once the shoulders are out, the rest of the cria should be expelled quite quickly (Figure 3).

Figure 3

Some alpacas prefer to stand up and let the cria fall o the ground, others may like to sit down. The advantage of standing up is that the fluid can drain from the cria’s mouth.

The first thing you must do is to check that the mouth and nostrils are free of the membrane so that it can breathe freely. Then treat the navel with iodine to prevent infection

Alpacas do not lick their cria, as other animals will; they simply smell them to recognize their scent (Figure 4)

Figure 4

The new cria will have a short rest and then try to stand up. It may take a few attempts and be a bit wobbly at first, but it will soon find its feet and within a few hours will be running around all over the place.

It is crucial that the cria nurses as soon as possible, so that they receive their mother’s colostrums which contains important nutrients and antibodies. You will usually observe the cria nursing within minutes to 2 hours after the birth (Figure 5).

Figure 5

Weigh the cria immediately after birth and make a note of it. The weight will decrease in the first few days, but then should rapidly increase after that. If the cria is not getting enough milk from its mother, its weight will highlight this.

If the cria was born prematurely, advice may need to be sought from your vet. Usually, within two hours after the delivery, the dam will deliver the placenta (Figure 6 & 7)

Figure 6

 Examine it to make sure that it is complete and the dispose of it to avoid attracting foxes.

If it is particularly cold or wet at night, or you see the cria shivering, you may wish to put a cria coat on your newborn to keep them a bit warmer (Figure 8)

Cria can be weaned between 5 and 6 months. This is also a good time to start halter training and to do a fibre assessment on each youngster.

Figure 7

A birthing kit will prove invaluable, some of the birthing essentials to include in the bag are:

• Iodine: To treat the navel to prevent infections

• Rubber Gloves, Long & Short: just in case you need to assist with a delivery.

• Lubricant: This is also in case you need to go in to assist a delivery.

• Shoe Lace or string: In case there is bleeding from the umbilical cord.

• Weighing scales: Standard scales will do – weigh yourself and then pick up the cria and weigh both of you. Deduct your weight to calculate the weight of the cria.

• Towels: Keep a few towels on hand in case you need to help dry off the cria. Unless the cria is born late at night, or in pouring rain, this shouldn’t be necessary.

• Mobile Phone: In case there is an emergency and you need to call the vet for assistance.

Figure 8