Gestation takes 11 months, and typically birthing is a 10-30 minute process which needs no assistance, although we prefer to be present, observing from afar. We clean the navel with nolvasan and isolate the mother and cria to make sure the cria gets the colusturm within the first 5 hours. The baby usually gets up to nurse within the first 60 minutes. The fiber can be sold to handspinners or can be given over to the coop of the national association. Great progress has been made in the last two years, so that attractive end products will be available to coop contributors.
Alpacas are rare in the U.S. and take a long time to reproduce.
Their fiber is unique and highly valued. Their popularity rises each year, and quality breeding stock goes for premium prices. The advantage to the high prices is potential for income and tax benefits to owners. Visit our farm, e-mail us with your questions. Also, we recommentd a book, Caring for llamas and alpacas .