A New Life

Steps to a Normal Delivery = ABS Faith (female Suri cria born May 15, 2003)

Alpacas typically have a gestation period of approximately 335 - 355 days. The delivery may actually be either side of specific due date and is still considered full term. When a cria (baby alpaca) is born, they usually weigh between twelve and twenty pounds. Birthing generally requires no human intervention. The birth is usually rapid, lasting between 20 and 30 minutes once the head and feet are seen. Most alpacas give birth during the early morning hours or early afternoon. Seldom do they birth at night. Babies are usually up and nursing within a few hours of birth. Bonding is natural for alpacas and they are very good mothers. They bond with their cria through scent and humming. A cria will nurse for about six months and the mothers are re bred within three weeks of delivering their cria.

The following is a series of photos and clips taken by Francisco Montes of Alpacas de Montes, during the delivery of "ABS Faith" at Alpacas by the Sea. Cria photos taken a few days later were by Kathy Porter from Alpacas Beyond the Horizon.

Thank you both for your educational contribution to our web site and all of your help and support around our ranch.

Victoria and Kenny

To view movies of the birthing process click here. Not recommended for those using dial up connectivity.

Click Photos to enlarge

	Alpacas generally give birth while standing, yet can also do this lying on their side. Often the dam may remover herself from the herd just prior to delivery. Even so, the other alpacas are often curious and will inspect the situation as it progresses.
	The dam will walk around, roll or go back and forth to the dung pile and get up and down to assure that the delivery is progressing. The crias two front feet typically present, then the nose, head and a slight stall at the shoulders. From here on out it is smooth sailing.
	In between contractions mom continues to look to her backside to observe the situation.
	One good push at this point and she is home free. The baby is born with the amnion covering her/him, rubbery pads over their feet (to protect mom from injury). Umbilical cord typically breaks on its own and no intervention is required.
	Mom (Dollie) and Cheryl Satterlee (our ranch manager) inspect the cria to make sure that the baby is breathing and determine the sex. Cheryl, dips the navel and decides if intervention is required to assure that the baby is warm enough during the mother up period (first three days).
	Dollie and baby (Faith) rest after the big event, but that won't be for long.