Spit Off!
November 7th 2007 03:06
I did a ‘spit off’ with the alpacas yesterday. This is a method of determining if a female alpaca could be pregnant. It’s called a ‘spit off’ because a female alpaca will spit off a male if she’s pregnant.
It’s a bit hit and miss, but since we’re not relying on our girls producing crias (babies) for our income, this method suits us. It’s also free, unlike other methods such as ultrasounds and blood tests.
How it works is: We put the male in with the female (or a few females, if we’re just doing a general check). The male will approach a female performing his orgling song (see Sounds Like to hear this).
If she’s pregnant, she’ll lay her ears back flat on her head and raise her head to warn him off. If he persists, she’ll spit at him. He might chase her, but she won’t allow him near her. She’ll run away and keep spitting and kicking at him. Some will scream as well. It’s pretty dramatic.
If a female alpaca is not pregnant, her ears usually remain upright and she might put her tail up too. Some girls will swish their tails around at the male – tarts!. The female may run away, but it is usually a half hearted effort and the boy will quickly catch up. She will then sit down to be mated.
That’s generally it. There are always a few exceptions to the rule which leave you wondering. Sometimes a female will simply take a dislike to a male – he doesn’t meet her high standards. Young females are also a bit unsure about what to do sometimes, so send out confused signals, to both the male alpaca and the human.
Over time though, you get to know your girls and how they behave when the boys are around.
Anyway, none of the girls sat yesterday, which is good. (I think). It could mean they’re all pregnant. It could also mean that none of them like our boy Cappy, or have other reasons for not wanting to mate. That’s why it’s hit and miss.
Some alpacas get pretty round when they're in the last month of gestation, particularly the smaller girls. Others hide their babies so well, you simply can't tell. Some of the older girls just look big and round all the time - they don't bother getting back in shape.
I’ll keep doing spit offs over the next few weeks to see if any of them change their minds. After that they’ll be getting close to unpacking, so I’ll just use the ‘wait and see’ method.
How it works:
Baby arrives, female was pregnant.
No baby, not pregnant.
That method’s pretty simple.
It’s a bit hit and miss, but since we’re not relying on our girls producing crias (babies) for our income, this method suits us. It’s also free, unlike other methods such as ultrasounds and blood tests.
How it works is: We put the male in with the female (or a few females, if we’re just doing a general check). The male will approach a female performing his orgling song (see Sounds Like to hear this).
If she’s pregnant, she’ll lay her ears back flat on her head and raise her head to warn him off. If he persists, she’ll spit at him. He might chase her, but she won’t allow him near her. She’ll run away and keep spitting and kicking at him. Some will scream as well. It’s pretty dramatic.
Not Interested
If a female alpaca is not pregnant, her ears usually remain upright and she might put her tail up too. Some girls will swish their tails around at the male – tarts!. The female may run away, but it is usually a half hearted effort and the boy will quickly catch up. She will then sit down to be mated.
That’s generally it. There are always a few exceptions to the rule which leave you wondering. Sometimes a female will simply take a dislike to a male – he doesn’t meet her high standards. Young females are also a bit unsure about what to do sometimes, so send out confused signals, to both the male alpaca and the human.
Interested
Over time though, you get to know your girls and how they behave when the boys are around.
Anyway, none of the girls sat yesterday, which is good. (I think). It could mean they’re all pregnant. It could also mean that none of them like our boy Cappy, or have other reasons for not wanting to mate. That’s why it’s hit and miss.
Some alpacas get pretty round when they're in the last month of gestation, particularly the smaller girls. Others hide their babies so well, you simply can't tell. Some of the older girls just look big and round all the time - they don't bother getting back in shape.
I’ll keep doing spit offs over the next few weeks to see if any of them change their minds. After that they’ll be getting close to unpacking, so I’ll just use the ‘wait and see’ method.
How it works:
Baby arrives, female was pregnant.
No baby, not pregnant.
That method’s pretty simple.
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Comment by jon
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Comment by katyzzz
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Comment by Rosemary
Alpaca Notes - Tasmania
It's fun to guess which you think are and which aren't, then find out if you were right. Cheers.
Comment by Rosemary
Alpaca Notes - Tasmania
I'm sure all the girls in the group know. The boys probably do too - sometimes they don't bother trying the girls, they know they'll just end up getting slimed. Cheers.
Comment by Techno
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Gotta get myself a wife in the next few years, dad's
armyoh sorry, I meant orders.Comment by Michaelie
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They'll give the guys the run around, act coy, play hard to get, or set out to seduce! I love hearing about the antics of your alpacas. They're such characters. A friend of mine has alpacas, and they are like members of the family, with very particular personalities!
Michaelie
Comment by Rosemary
Alpaca Notes - Tasmania
Hi Michaelie. They are funny creatures to watch. They have their society etiquette and structures, just like people. Cheers.
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Comment by Rosemary
Alpaca Notes - Tasmania
You could try. It works for alpacas. Some alpaca boys take a while to get the message but they all give up eventually. Most go off and sulk somewhere.
Cheers.
Comment by JoH
Comment by Rosemary
Alpaca Notes - Tasmania
More profitable than waiting for people to click on ads too.
I'd have to check out katyzzz's Photography Tips for a new camera when mine got covered in spit.
Problem is, I'm getting good at seeing it coming. Don't worry though, the minute it happens, that video will be on here.