Cria Memories

Well, it's just a couple months until the new Misty Haven cria are expected. If all goes as planned, we will have 3 young alpacas scooting around in early June. For the first time on this farm, all the pregnant females are first time moms.
Anyway...I've been spending way too much time looking through the pictures of cria today...reminiscing. Some of these little ones have grown up on the farm and stayed. Some have moved on to other farms.


Okay...I have to say it, cause you are all thinking it. CUTE! CUTE! CUTE!

Actually, these pictures above are all of cria that are between a few hours and a few weeks old. They get even cuter once their fleece gets a bit longer and they get a bit pudgy and "grow into their ears".

Cria average from 14 to 20 lbs at birth. We had one weigh in at 24 lbs once. They hit the ground (literally because mom is usually standing, sometimes continuing to eat grass) and are immediately trying to get up. They've usually found their balance and are on their way to the "dairy bar" within an hour of birth. Alpacas are usually born between 6am and noon. By evening, they are racing around the field trying out their legs.

For the most part, we keep a distant eye on the birth proceedings and mom handles things all on her own. We've had many births on the farm and have only had to get "hands-on" a few times.

Given that the average gestation is over 11 months, the anticipation is high to see what last year's breeding strategy will produce.