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Friday, November 27, 2009

[AlpacaTalk] introduction

 

I am brand new to  this group.  I have owned two suri male alpacas that were rescue boy. One is black and one is white. ANd, I just adopted a third white suri boy. They have been living on an alpaca farm that belongs to a friend.  I also raise Border Leicester sheep and angora rabbits, all for fiber, as I am a handspinner and weaver and I have a fiber arts business, selling my products.  The rabbits are at my home, and the sheep are at another friend's farm.  But, last month I was able to arrange to lease land right behind my house, instead of traveling 25 min to get to either the sheep or alpacas.  So, I have fencing going up next week, the run in shed is on sight and I hope to have the animals here in about two weeks!  I am more than excited!  This is a dream come true.  I also have working border collies, who will finally be able to work with me, with the sheep every day.  Although the sheep and alpacas will be in the same field, I have a 20 x 20 "catch pen" that the alpacas will be lured into with feed while the dogs are in the field.  I have lots of questions that I will be asking over the next few weeks I am sure!

Thanks,
Susan Withnell
Ewes-ful Fiber Arts
Westminster, MD
www.prismportal.com/fiberarts

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Message posts are the opinion of individuals posting and are not necessarily endorsed or approved by Yahoo! or the moderator of this group. The purpose of this discussion group is to ensure that all points of view can be aired. It is the responsbilty of all individuals who post to treat others with respect and civility.
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posted by Chaddo at 9:14 PM 0 comments

Free Alpacas Newsletter- How to Profit from Alpaca Farming

Re: [AlpacaTalk] fertility questions

 

I'll add that after my girl's last abortion, we did a dilute betadine uterine flush for a week, in case of a uterine infection. She was not bred after the last abortion because of the calendar date.


I have yet to schedule the vet appt for the repro exam, but the bottom line is, I expected and am entitled to a female who can produce at least one cria, as per the terms of the contract. No matter whether the vet exam finds anything wrong or not, my dam has not produced a live cria for me. 


Heather

Heather Zeleny
White Lotus Alpacas
Oregon

Holistic Farm and Elite Fleece

On Nov 27, 2009, at 7:38 PM, Marsha wrote:


Robin

Thank you for your input.  We will certainly be looking into these and hopefully be able to get a cria..  She is our only female so needless to say, very discouraging that we've had her two years and no cria yet.

Marsha

--- On Fri, 11/27/09, Richard & Robin Vasquez <rv@lovethemalpacas.com> wrote:

From: Richard & Robin Vasquez <rv@lovethemalpacas.com>
Subject: Re: [AlpacaTalk] fertility questions
To: AlpacaTalk@yahoogroups.com
Date: Friday, November 27, 2009, 10:28 PM

 

My first guess would be a low grade uterine infection.  If they get pregnant (which it sounds like she is) and is unable to hold it that usually is a uterine infection.  A uterine culture would let you know if that was the case.
I heard that spit off 1st week = ovulation, 2nd week = conception, 3rd week = implantation..
Good luck,  I am messing with a few girls that are being difficult in the pregnancy dept also. Fortunately that is not the norm.
Robin  
Richard and Robin Vasquez 
R & R Ranch LLC
325B Denio Avenue 
Gilroy,CA 95020
Phone: 408-842-5233/ Cell 408-710-0676/ 710-7911
 
       A Ranch of Distinction
www.LoveThemAlpacas.com
                          LTA
 


--- On Fri, 11/27/09, Heather Zeleny <alpacatalk@gmail. com> wrote:

From: Heather Zeleny <alpacatalk@gmail. com>
Subject: Re: [AlpacaTalk] fertility questions
To: AlpacaTalk@yahoogro ups.com
Date: Friday, November 27, 2009, 7:09 PM

 
First, you'll need to have a reproductive exam done by your vet. I need to have one done on one of my girls, who produced several live healthy crias before I got her, but since she's been at my farm has aborted twins in the first trimester 3 times in a row, in the last year and a half. 

After the vet exam, I think no matter what the results are, since you (and I) have not had a live cria from our female, look at the contract. Usually the recourse is return of the female and a replacement or refund. In my case, refund would be return of the animal I traded.


Heather

Heather Zeleny
White Lotus Alpacas
Oregon

Holistic Farm and Elite Fleece

On Nov 27, 2009, at 7:01 PM, __A_YAHOO_USER_ _ wrote:

We have a female that has been bred several times and has yet to produce a cria. She has never had one prior to our purchasing her. She spits the boys off for the first 6 - 8 weeks even if they just come close to the fence line near her but after that will cush again. 

Are there specific tests that is recommended to be done on her to see if she is capable of holding a pregnancy? Is there anything that can be done to help her hold the pregnancy? She's not been stressed at all during this time frame. Any and all info on this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Marsha





__._,_.___
Message posts are the opinion of individuals posting and are not necessarily endorsed or approved by Yahoo! or the moderator of this group. The purpose of this discussion group is to ensure that all points of view can be aired. It is the responsbilty of all individuals who post to treat others with respect and civility.
.

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posted by Chaddo at 7:44 PM 0 comments

Free Alpacas Newsletter- How to Profit from Alpaca Farming

Re: [AlpacaTalk] fertility questions

 

Robin

Thank you for your input.  We will certainly be looking into these and hopefully be able to get a cria..  She is our only female so needless to say, very discouraging that we've had her two years and no cria yet.

Marsha

--- On Fri, 11/27/09, Richard & Robin Vasquez <rv@lovethemalpacas.com> wrote:

From: Richard & Robin Vasquez <rv@lovethemalpacas.com>
Subject: Re: [AlpacaTalk] fertility questions
To: AlpacaTalk@yahoogroups.com
Date: Friday, November 27, 2009, 10:28 PM

 

My first guess would be a low grade uterine infection.  If they get pregnant (which it sounds like she is) and is unable to hold it that usually is a uterine infection.  A uterine culture would let you know if that was the case.
I heard that spit off 1st week = ovulation, 2nd week = conception, 3rd week = implantation..
Good luck,  I am messing with a few girls that are being difficult in the pregnancy dept also. Fortunately that is not the norm.
Robin 
Richard and Robin Vasquez
R & R Ranch LLC
325B Denio Avenue
Gilroy,CA 95020
Phone: 408-842-5233/ Cell 408-710-0676/ 710-7911
 
       A Ranch of Distinction
www.LoveThemAlpacas.com
                          LTA
 


--- On Fri, 11/27/09, Heather Zeleny <alpacatalk@gmail. com> wrote:

From: Heather Zeleny <alpacatalk@gmail. com>
Subject: Re: [AlpacaTalk] fertility questions
To: AlpacaTalk@yahoogro ups.com
Date: Friday, November 27, 2009, 7:09 PM

 
First, you'll need to have a reproductive exam done by your vet. I need to have one done on one of my girls, who produced several live healthy crias before I got her, but since she's been at my farm has aborted twins in the first trimester 3 times in a row, in the last year and a half. 

After the vet exam, I think no matter what the results are, since you (and I) have not had a live cria from our female, look at the contract. Usually the recourse is return of the female and a replacement or refund. In my case, refund would be return of the animal I traded.


Heather

Heather Zeleny
White Lotus Alpacas
Oregon

Holistic Farm and Elite Fleece

On Nov 27, 2009, at 7:01 PM, __A_YAHOO_USER_ _ wrote:

We have a female that has been bred several times and has yet to produce a cria. She has never had one prior to our purchasing her. She spits the boys off for the first 6 - 8 weeks even if they just come close to the fence line near her but after that will cush again. 

Are there specific tests that is recommended to be done on her to see if she is capable of holding a pregnancy? Is there anything that can be done to help her hold the pregnancy? She's not been stressed at all during this time frame. Any and all info on this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Marsha


__._,_.___
Message posts are the opinion of individuals posting and are not necessarily endorsed or approved by Yahoo! or the moderator of this group. The purpose of this discussion group is to ensure that all points of view can be aired. It is the responsbilty of all individuals who post to treat others with respect and civility.
.

__,_._,___

posted by Chaddo at 7:38 PM 0 comments

Free Alpacas Newsletter- How to Profit from Alpaca Farming

Re: [AlpacaTalk] fertility questions

 

Thanks for the suggestions.  She is 5 1/2; we have had her for 2 yrs.  First male was unproven but recently we have tried her with a proven male to eliminate the issues of it possibly being the male.  We will look into the reproductive exam.

Marsha

--- On Fri, 11/27/09, Bluebird Hills Farm <bluebirdhills@voyager.net> wrote:

From: Bluebird Hills Farm <bluebirdhills@voyager.net>
Subject: Re: [AlpacaTalk] fertility questions
To: AlpacaTalk@yahoogroups.com
Date: Friday, November 27, 2009, 10:25 PM

 

Hi Marsha,

Hopefully you have an alpaca saavy vet close by that can perform a full reproductive exam on you female. This exam should include a visual exam of the vagina and cervix, as well as an ultrasound to include the ovaries and uterus.

You don't say how old she is, but if she is not sexually mature, she may not be ready to conceive. There are other things such as uterine infections, retained corpus luteums, or ovarian cysts.

If you are using the same male, he may actually be the problem with little or no sperm. If he is inexperienced or if she has an intact hymen, then you may not be getting penetration to accomplish pregnancy. 

So there are a few things to think about, but if this were my gal, I would be having the vet out for ultrasound etc.

Laurel

The Shouvlins
Bluebird Hills Farm
Springfield, Ohio
937-206-3936
www.bluebirdhills. com
bluebirdhills@ voyager.net



> We have a female that has been bred several times and has yet to produce a
> cria. She has never had one prior to our purchasing her. She spits the
> boys off for the first 6 - 8 weeks even if they just come close to the
> fence line near her but after that will cush again.
>
> Are there specific tests that is recommended to be done on her to see if
> she is capable of holding a pregnancy? Is there anything that can be done
> to help her hold the pregnancy? She's not been stressed at all during
> this time frame. Any and all info on this would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks, Marsha


__._,_.___
Message posts are the opinion of individuals posting and are not necessarily endorsed or approved by Yahoo! or the moderator of this group. The purpose of this discussion group is to ensure that all points of view can be aired. It is the responsbilty of all individuals who post to treat others with respect and civility.
.

__,_._,___

posted by Chaddo at 7:36 PM 0 comments

Free Alpacas Newsletter- How to Profit from Alpaca Farming

Re: [AlpacaTalk] fertility questions

 

My first guess would be a low grade uterine infection.  If they get pregnant (which it sounds like she is) and is unable to hold it that usually is a uterine infection.  A uterine culture would let you know if that was the case.
I heard that spit off 1st week = ovulation, 2nd week = conception, 3rd week = implantation.
Good luck,  I am messing with a few girls that are being difficult in the pregnancy dept also. Fortunately that is not the norm.
Robin 
Richard and Robin Vasquez
R & R Ranch LLC
325B Denio Avenue
Gilroy,CA 95020
Phone: 408-842-5233/ Cell 408-710-0676/710-7911
 
       A Ranch of Distinction
www.LoveThemAlpacas.com
                          LTA
 


--- On Fri, 11/27/09, Heather Zeleny <alpacatalk@gmail.com> wrote:

From: Heather Zeleny <alpacatalk@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [AlpacaTalk] fertility questions
To: AlpacaTalk@yahoogroups.com
Date: Friday, November 27, 2009, 7:09 PM

 
First, you'll need to have a reproductive exam done by your vet. I need to have one done on one of my girls, who produced several live healthy crias before I got her, but since she's been at my farm has aborted twins in the first trimester 3 times in a row, in the last year and a half. 

After the vet exam, I think no matter what the results are, since you (and I) have not had a live cria from our female, look at the contract. Usually the recourse is return of the female and a replacement or refund. In my case, refund would be return of the animal I traded.


Heather

Heather Zeleny
White Lotus Alpacas
Oregon

Holistic Farm and Elite Fleece

On Nov 27, 2009, at 7:01 PM, __A_YAHOO_USER_ _ wrote:

We have a female that has been bred several times and has yet to produce a cria. She has never had one prior to our purchasing her. She spits the boys off for the first 6 - 8 weeks even if they just come close to the fence line near her but after that will cush again. 

Are there specific tests that is recommended to be done on her to see if she is capable of holding a pregnancy? Is there anything that can be done to help her hold the pregnancy? She's not been stressed at all during this time frame. Any and all info on this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Marsha

__._,_.___
Message posts are the opinion of individuals posting and are not necessarily endorsed or approved by Yahoo! or the moderator of this group. The purpose of this discussion group is to ensure that all points of view can be aired. It is the responsbilty of all individuals who post to treat others with respect and civility.
.

__,_._,___

posted by Chaddo at 7:28 PM 0 comments

Free Alpacas Newsletter- How to Profit from Alpaca Farming

Re: [AlpacaTalk] fertility questions

 

Hi Marsha,

Hopefully you have an alpaca saavy vet close by that can perform a full reproductive exam on you female. This exam should include a visual exam of the vagina and cervix, as well as an ultrasound to include the ovaries and uterus.

You don't say how old she is, but if she is not sexually mature, she may not be ready to conceive. There are other things such as uterine infections, retained corpus luteums, or ovarian cysts.

If you are using the same male, he may actually be the problem with little or no sperm. If he is inexperienced or if she has an intact hymen, then you may not be getting penetration to accomplish pregnancy. 

So there are a few things to think about, but if this were my gal, I would be having the vet out for ultrasound etc.

Laurel

The Shouvlins
Bluebird Hills Farm
Springfield, Ohio
937-206-3936
www.bluebirdhills.com
bluebirdhills@voyager.net



> We have a female that has been bred several times and has yet to produce a
> cria. She has never had one prior to our purchasing her. She spits the
> boys off for the first 6 - 8 weeks even if they just come close to the
> fence line near her but after that will cush again.
>
> Are there specific tests that is recommended to be done on her to see if
> she is capable of holding a pregnancy? Is there anything that can be done
> to help her hold the pregnancy? She's not been stressed at all during
> this time frame. Any and all info on this would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks, Marsha

__._,_.___
Message posts are the opinion of individuals posting and are not necessarily endorsed or approved by Yahoo! or the moderator of this group. The purpose of this discussion group is to ensure that all points of view can be aired. It is the responsbilty of all individuals who post to treat others with respect and civility.
.

__,_._,___

posted by Chaddo at 7:25 PM 0 comments

Free Alpacas Newsletter- How to Profit from Alpaca Farming

Re: [AlpacaTalk] fertility questions

 

First, you'll need to have a reproductive exam done by your vet. I need to have one done on one of my girls, who produced several live healthy crias before I got her, but since she's been at my farm has aborted twins in the first trimester 3 times in a row, in the last year and a half. 


After the vet exam, I think no matter what the results are, since you (and I) have not had a live cria from our female, look at the contract. Usually the recourse is return of the female and a replacement or refund. In my case, refund would be return of the animal I traded.


Heather

Heather Zeleny
White Lotus Alpacas
Oregon

Holistic Farm and Elite Fleece

On Nov 27, 2009, at 7:01 PM, __A_YAHOO_USER__ wrote:

We have a female that has been bred several times and has yet to produce a cria. She has never had one prior to our purchasing her. She spits the boys off for the first 6 - 8 weeks even if they just come close to the fence line near her but after that will cush again. 

Are there specific tests that is recommended to be done on her to see if she is capable of holding a pregnancy? Is there anything that can be done to help her hold the pregnancy? She's not been stressed at all during this time frame. Any and all info on this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Marsha


__._,_.___
Message posts are the opinion of individuals posting and are not necessarily endorsed or approved by Yahoo! or the moderator of this group. The purpose of this discussion group is to ensure that all points of view can be aired. It is the responsbilty of all individuals who post to treat others with respect and civility.
.

__,_._,___

posted by Chaddo at 7:09 PM 0 comments

Free Alpacas Newsletter- How to Profit from Alpaca Farming

[AlpacaTalk] fertility questions

 

We have a female that has been bred several times and has yet to produce a cria. She has never had one prior to our purchasing her. She spits the boys off for the first 6 - 8 weeks even if they just come close to the fence line near her but after that will cush again.

Are there specific tests that is recommended to be done on her to see if she is capable of holding a pregnancy? Is there anything that can be done to help her hold the pregnancy? She's not been stressed at all during this time frame. Any and all info on this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Marsha

__._,_.___
Message posts are the opinion of individuals posting and are not necessarily endorsed or approved by Yahoo! or the moderator of this group. The purpose of this discussion group is to ensure that all points of view can be aired. It is the responsbilty of all individuals who post to treat others with respect and civility.
.

__,_._,___

posted by Chaddo at 7:01 PM 0 comments

Free Alpacas Newsletter- How to Profit from Alpaca Farming

Re: [AlpacaTalk] RE: female acting funny

 

Hi Janice,

After breeding, females will stay cushed for some time, so that's normal. And it does seem to indicate that she was not pregnant. However, you may get a cria next October/November! :)

I would continue to keep 11 month cria separated from mom and the male separated from them both. It is stressful in the beginning, but they get used to the arrangements after a while. And it can seem like forever while they are pining.

Best of luck to you! There's always some new thing happening isn't there? I just did a couple of swaps in our adult herdsires pastures today. We'll see how that works out, but so far, so good. :)

Heather

Heather Zeleny
White Lotus Alpacas
Oregon

Holistic Farm and Elite Fleece

On Nov 27, 2009, at 4:34 PM, houckj@aol.com wrote:

Tonight we had an accident when trying to move the alpacas around and 
the male and the female ended up in the same pasture unattended for 
maybe 15 min while dd and I ran to break up a nasty dog fight. When we 
finally got the dogs apart and all the noise quieted down I heard the 
unmistakable sound of alpacas mating. Sure enough they were going for 
it. We took off running and separated them. The female did not want 
to stand up to walk. Finally got her up and back to her pen, where they 
made love noises thru the fence. She was certainly not spitting him off 
and in fact kushed right next to the fence. So this mean she is NOT 
pregnant?! Mating was mid-Jan so if it took she is a couple of weeks 
away from when I would normally start close observations......11mos - 
mid Dec, and about a month away from when I would *really* start 
watching closely. 

I still don't want a winter mating, and will continue to keep them 
separate until spring, but it has been very stressful for everyone, 
alpacas and humans alike, trying to keep 11mo old cria away from mom and 
keep them both away from the male. I am locking the female up in the 
barn at night (with the other female for company). I only have 4 adults 
and the cria so everyone is spread out - 1 in front pasture, 2 in wooded 
pasture, and 2 in small chicken yard and then in small barn at night. I 
feel the herd is spread too thin, but this is my only option for keeping 
male/female/cria separate. It is far from ideal for anyone. If it is 
not necessary I don't want to continue doing it; however if there is 
still a chance she is preggie then I will continue what I am doing.

Thanks, Janice

__._,_.___
Message posts are the opinion of individuals posting and are not necessarily endorsed or approved by Yahoo! or the moderator of this group. The purpose of this discussion group is to ensure that all points of view can be aired. It is the responsbilty of all individuals who post to treat others with respect and civility.
.

__,_._,___

posted by Chaddo at 4:53 PM 0 comments

Free Alpacas Newsletter- How to Profit from Alpaca Farming

[AlpacaTalk] RE: female acting funny

 

Tonight we had an accident when trying to move the alpacas around and
the male and the female ended up in the same pasture unattended for
maybe 15 min while dd and I ran to break up a nasty dog fight. When we
finally got the dogs apart and all the noise quieted down I heard the
unmistakable sound of alpacas mating. Sure enough they were going for
it. We took off running and separated them. The female did not want
to stand up to walk. Finally got her up and back to her pen, where they
made love noises thru the fence. She was certainly not spitting him off
and in fact kushed right next to the fence. So this mean she is NOT
pregnant?! Mating was mid-Jan so if it took she is a couple of weeks
away from when I would normally start close observations......11mos -
mid Dec, and about a month away from when I would *really* start
watching closely.

I still don't want a winter mating, and will continue to keep them
separate until spring, but it has been very stressful for everyone,
alpacas and humans alike, trying to keep 11mo old cria away from mom and
keep them both away from the male. I am locking the female up in the
barn at night (with the other female for company). I only have 4 adults
and the cria so everyone is spread out - 1 in front pasture, 2 in wooded
pasture, and 2 in small chicken yard and then in small barn at night. I
feel the herd is spread too thin, but this is my only option for keeping
male/female/cria separate. It is far from ideal for anyone. If it is
not necessary I don't want to continue doing it; however if there is
still a chance she is preggie then I will continue what I am doing.

Thanks, Janice

__._,_.___
Message posts are the opinion of individuals posting and are not necessarily endorsed or approved by Yahoo! or the moderator of this group. The purpose of this discussion group is to ensure that all points of view can be aired. It is the responsbilty of all individuals who post to treat others with respect and civility.
.

__,_._,___

posted by Chaddo at 4:34 PM 0 comments

Free Alpacas Newsletter- How to Profit from Alpaca Farming

[AlpacaTalk] Are You Ready To Sell Alpacas In 2010?

 

It looks as though we may be seeing some signs of the
economy improving at last, and with increasing optimism
about the future, people will start to think about investing
in alpacas again.  That, in turn, should lead to prices
increasing, so that we can see better prospects for the
alpaca industry in 2010.

Now is a good time to make sure that you have all of your
marketing plans in place for next year to take advantage
of the opportunities presented.  As well as getting the farm
ready for visitors and doing whatever offline promotions
you can afford, if you are serious about selling alpacas you
must have your own website.  There are many reasons for
this: if set up properly and optimized for your chosen
keywords, it will:

  • Promote a professional image
  • Differentiate your farm from others
  • Appear in local searches for alpacas
  • Provide unique information about alpacas
  • Display your alpacas for sale professionally
  • Gather names to build a prospect list

It is a startling fact that the majority of farms do not have
their own website; relying instead on sites such as Alpaca-
Nation and OpenHerd to showcase their herd.  These venues
are all very well as additional resources (as long as you don’t
send your hard-earned visitors there!), but they are no
substitute for having your own site.

So if you want to stand out against the competition, don’t
just do what they do!  Take advantage of the fact that they
don’t have a website and get one for your farm.  And not
just any website – it has to have unique, relevant content
and be optimized to attract visitors and help to convert them
into buyers.

If you’re ready to move forward into 2010, email me for more
information on having a professional website designed for you,
or to request a free review of your existing site.

Chris Lewis | Alpaca Advantage| Virginia | USA
Telephone: (540) 635-5308 | Fax: (540) 635-7193
AlpacaAdvantage.com
Alpaca-Business-Plan.com
HighImpactSiteDesign.com

__._,_.___
Message posts are the opinion of individuals posting and are not necessarily endorsed or approved by Yahoo! or the moderator of this group. The purpose of this discussion group is to ensure that all points of view can be aired. It is the responsbilty of all individuals who post to treat others with respect and civility.
.

__,_._,___

posted by Chaddo at 10:00 AM 0 comments