Day 1 A healthy, strong cria is born and up and nursing within 90 minutes. When cria is fully born (on the ground), normally they will squirm and within a short time be sitting sternal. Mom is checked for stability, any tearing during delivery, milk production and watched carefully. Her placenta will pass usually within 2 hours. Meanwhile the cria becomes more active, is alert and vigorous and soon on his/her feet looking for food!
This article appeared in the November 05 edition of Acres USA and is reprinted here with permission of the author. For those interested in the application of breed standards and heritability, this article has valuable information.
The subject of tender fleeces is currently dominating discussions throughout the alpaca world. The discussion surrounds the effect that tender fleeces have upon fibre processing at the mills and the subsequent quality of the finished product.
