Halcyon Alpacca Stud - Articles - Birth procedure hints

Alpaca births. Terrifying! Not really, or at least they don't have to be. You just need to keep a few items handy and have a basic procedure to stick to.

We keep a plastic tool box especially kitted out for births, that follows the birth mob around wherever they go. This means our scales, pen and paper, antiseptic, lubricant and gloves are close at hand and ready for use at all times.

Assist birth only if necessary. If in doubt call your vet. Remember that from appearance of nose to hitting the ground can take 30 minutes or more. DON'T pull the cria out just for the heck of it, this is a slow process.
Clean afterbirth away from around and in mouth of cria if necessary.
Spray 'Betadine' antiseptic on the umbilical cord.
Weigh the cria.
Count teats and note if it is a macho or hembra.
Watch for a moment to make sure it is alert and breathing correctly.
Now STAND WELL BACK, and let the dam do her thing. And by well back I mean a hundred metres or so. Mum has more of an idea of what to do than you do.
Write down all details eg. date, dam, sex, weight, etc.
Come back in half an hour and check that the cria is trying to stand and that the dam has dropped the placenta. Leave the cria where it is, and dispose of the placenta.

• Check again later and make sure that the cria is getting a drink. Don't try to help no matter how uncoordinated it looks. Note the colour once dry.

From point 2 to point 6 should take no more than a minute, the longer you take the less chance your hembra has to bond with the cria. You will have years to look at it and touch it, the mother only has 12-24 hours to get colostrum into it.

Normal delivery has the head and two front legs come out first. Anything else may need some assistance. If you need to assist to free up a leg or get a large cria's chest through the pelvis just make sure to wash up, glove up and be confident. If you muck about or are hesitant about hurting mum or bub you probably will. Don't touch the cria just for the sake of it, mismothering and stress are far worse than the cria taking an extra hour or two to get a drink.

Don't be afraid to phone your vet for assistance if you feel out of your depth. If the vet assists, always ask for oxytocin for the dam (assists to bring down milk and assists with dropping the placenta) and an antibiotic if there has been any tearing or if an infection is likely.

Most hembra will happily give birth without assistance and have done so for thousands of years in South America despite the lack of modern husbandry techniques. Relax, enjoy and good luck!