Re: [AlpacaTalk] Girls or boys?
Those are interesting points, but I have some differing views.
I disagree with selling of crias. We recently had a horrible
experience with that. The weanling, not cria, was transported to its
new home across the country, arrived injured, and was suddenly
severely cow-hocked. The buyer didn't inform us of this until after
shearing, some months later. She ranted and raved, said a lot of
horrible things, and possibly even called some names. She then
forwarded pics of our boy, who was, and hopefully still is, the
sweetest little thing... They had shorn off his topknot and his tail
down to the skin. Then she continued her tirade about his cowhocks
and how she had planned to show him (purchased for $500, sight unseen
except pics). We still wonder about his treatment, since they
butchered his topknot and tail at shearing. Who would to that to an
animal they love? And did she really plan to show him at halter with
a shear job like that? It just makes my heart sick. We offered to buy
him back and pay for his return transport. She refused. So I won't
sell any of my alpacas until they are at least one year old.
Crias and weanlings are still babies. Alpacas are herd animals and
need the comfort of the group they were born with, until they're over
1 year old, at least.
We and everyone we knew, used to breed females at 1 year. Today it is
normal to begin breeding at 15-24 months.
Even young maidens, if breedable, will cost easily 5-10 times what a
fiber or pet boy will cost. To get started and still not sure if she
wants to get into breeding at all, it seems like an expensive option
if she decides she doesn't want to breed alpacas.
The entire breeding discussion is quite involved. Whether to buy
breedings ($1K+ each, up to $10K!) or to buy your own sires. I have
picked up sires at nearly pet boy prices, with really excellent
lineage, fleece, even show winnings including 1st places.
It really comes down to whether or not you want to breed, and whether
you want to invest in breeding/breedable females right away, or wait
and see.3 or 4 fiber boys (I also feel 2 is not enough, they are herd
animals and need greater numbers to feel safe) is a lot more
affordable than 3 or 4 young breedable maidens.
Just my opinions.
Heather
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posted by Chaddo at 5:18 PM
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