Putting Girls with Boys
February 22nd 2008 04:35
We’ve been doing some alpaca mating again.
The gestation for an alpaca is 11 and a half months, and female alpacas can re-breed again pretty well straight away. So, in a wild herd they would be pregnant most of their lives.
Here, I like to know if the girls could be pregnant and when they’re due to unpack (deliver), so I keep the males and females separate and they only meet up in the warmer months (ie spring through autumn), so we don’t have winter babies.
I’m not trying to make a living from my alpacas, so I pretty much leave it up to them to decide if they breed or not. Of course, it’s lovely if they do give me beautiful alpaca babies, but if the girls decide they want a year or two off then no problem.
I only have one working boy at the moment (my wonderful Capriccio – “Cappy”), so I’d prefer it that he not take time off. He gets to sit around all winter eating grass anyway, so he’s a very happy fellow when he’s finally allowed in with the girls.
I put in one of the easy breeder girls to begin with – these are the ones who are happy to mate and don't carry on about it – so he won’t be rejected first up. Males can be put off by the girls who spit and scream at the boys and Cappy is a gentleman. He’ll usually be polite and just walk away if the girl is obviously not interested.
The easy breeders usually just mate the once and they''ll be pregnant. Other girls don’t take straight away and will mate several times over the summer. If they’re not pregnant by the end of autumn, they get a break over the winter and we try again in the spring.
The gestation for an alpaca is 11 and a half months, and female alpacas can re-breed again pretty well straight away. So, in a wild herd they would be pregnant most of their lives.
Here’s Cappy with Fantasia and Alice waiting her turn.
Here, I like to know if the girls could be pregnant and when they’re due to unpack (deliver), so I keep the males and females separate and they only meet up in the warmer months (ie spring through autumn), so we don’t have winter babies.
I’m not trying to make a living from my alpacas, so I pretty much leave it up to them to decide if they breed or not. Of course, it’s lovely if they do give me beautiful alpaca babies, but if the girls decide they want a year or two off then no problem.
I only have one working boy at the moment (my wonderful Capriccio – “Cappy”), so I’d prefer it that he not take time off. He gets to sit around all winter eating grass anyway, so he’s a very happy fellow when he’s finally allowed in with the girls.
I put in one of the easy breeder girls to begin with – these are the ones who are happy to mate and don't carry on about it – so he won’t be rejected first up. Males can be put off by the girls who spit and scream at the boys and Cappy is a gentleman. He’ll usually be polite and just walk away if the girl is obviously not interested.
The easy breeders usually just mate the once and they''ll be pregnant. Other girls don’t take straight away and will mate several times over the summer. If they’re not pregnant by the end of autumn, they get a break over the winter and we try again in the spring.
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Comment by katyzzz
Photography Tips
MS Paint Art
And wouldn't just the one male cause problems with inbreeding?.
Just some thoughts apart from being pleased that I'm not an alpaca while at the same time thinking many abused females ( humans) would like the males that force themselves on them to be put off by a good spit or scream.
Comment by Rosemary
Alpaca Notes - Tasmania
No, they're induced ovulators, (rabbits and cats are too I think). So they can mate anytime.
Yes, one male is a problem as I now have some girls who are his daughters. I'm looking round for a boyfriend for them. (I know Cappy will not be happy having another male on his turf).
Comment by Krystal
feelings
Comment by JoH
Comment by Rosemary
Alpaca Notes - Tasmania
They've managed without us for thousands of years, so I just facilitate and let them do most of the decision making. They generally know what's best for them.
Hi JoH. Yes Cappy is what most girls would like in a guy. Good looking, useful and amicable,. A sensitive new age alpaca.