The Birth of Sensation
The birth of a new cria is an experience we look forward to each year. Though we all aim for breeding with
an end product in mind- perfect conformation, dense fleece from ears to toes, low micron count and so on,
it is often a hit or miss endeavor. We are thrilled, none the less, with whatever cria is born because it is
such a joy to see new life hit the ground.
Sensation arrived with some difficulty. Early one beautiful October morning I stepped outside our home to
check on the alpacas. I noticed Hermoine isolating herself from the other girls and sounding her distress.
She repeatedly lay down with her legs splayed sideways then got up and moved around. As I approached
her I noticed a small alpaca leg dangling out behind. I immediately called Mark out and we got close
enough to see that the cria's head and one foreleg had emerged. My daughter got on the phone to call the
vet but Mark and I needed to assist Hermoine in the birthing process right away.
Hermoine was pushing but the cria was not able to come out, so Mark had to feel around inside Hermoine.
He was able to untangle the other foreleg and once he helped it out, Hermoine was able to successfully
push the cria out. Sensation was born!
The birth of a new cria is an experience we look forward to each year. Though we all aim for breeding with
an end product in mind- perfect conformation, dense fleece from ears to toes, low micron count and so on,
it is often a hit or miss endeavor. We are thrilled, none the less, with whatever cria is born because it is
such a joy to see new life hit the ground.
Sensation arrived with some difficulty. Early one beautiful October morning I stepped outside our home to
check on the alpacas. I noticed Hermoine isolating herself from the other girls and sounding her distress.
She repeatedly lay down with her legs splayed sideways then got up and moved around. As I approached
her I noticed a small alpaca leg dangling out behind. I immediately called Mark out and we got close
enough to see that the cria's head and one foreleg had emerged. My daughter got on the phone to call the
vet but Mark and I needed to assist Hermoine in the birthing process right away.
Hermoine was pushing but the cria was not able to come out, so Mark had to feel around inside Hermoine.
He was able to untangle the other foreleg and once he helped it out, Hermoine was able to successfully
push the cria out. Sensation was born!
Sensation arrived with some
difficulty on a warm October
Sunday morning.
difficulty on a warm October
Sunday morning.
Within minutes of hitting the
ground, Sensation was cushing
and looking around at the world.
ground, Sensation was cushing
and looking around at the world.
The other alpacas gather around to
greet the new arrival while Hermoine
proudly rests beside Sensation.
greet the new arrival while Hermoine
proudly rests beside Sensation.
Sensation takes her first wobbly
steps withing an hour of birth. It
takes several attempts to get up
on those spindly legs but she
manages at last!
steps withing an hour of birth. It
takes several attempts to get up
on those spindly legs but she
manages at last!
Hermoine takes Sensation out into
the field to look around and
maybe to show off a little.
the field to look around and
maybe to show off a little.
After we had a chance to check
over the new cria, Hermoine and
Sensation rest in the privacy of the
stalls.
over the new cria, Hermoine and
Sensation rest in the privacy of the
stalls.
Sensation nurses at last, taking in
that all-important colostrum to
booste her immunity to diseases
in her first few weeks of life.
that all-important colostrum to
booste her immunity to diseases
in her first few weeks of life.
Sensation today is playful, curious
and healthy. She is a wonderful
alpaca with gorgeous fleece.
and healthy. She is a wonderful
alpaca with gorgeous fleece.
Alpaca Birthing Tidbits
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Cria Care Kit and Supplies
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