alpacas: Re: [AlpacaTalk] Bottle cria

Donna is shearing today BUT I believe she said they have been trying with the mom and cria hook up with little luck.Males and females can have the bizzirk behavior,that is why we have been putting the crias out with the herd as much as possible.Mine is a girl and the other one I raised was a male.No problems with behavior on the male--this little girl is going to be a problem,she is pushy and has a personality that is very dominate.She has that same attitude out with the herd--so far they just let her carry on.I hope they will put her in her place.Always,T

Elkhorn Alpacas

31655 Elkhorn Glen

Warrenton,MO.63383

636-359-0250 / 636-459-8930

traviselkhornalpacas@yahoo.com

www.elkhornalpacas.com

Alpacas are a rare treasure,

one that I like to share!!!!

From: Bluebird Hills Farm <bluebirdhills@voyager.net>
To: AlpacaTalk@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sun, May 16, 2010 8:14:17 AM
Subject: Re: [AlpacaTalk] Bottle cria

Donna,
Is there some reason why the dam can't nurse the cria??? If I were in your shoes, that is where I would be going. Secondly, you have started the cria on a milk that is completely adequate under the circumstances. Cows milk is very accessible, and very similar to alpaca milk. Thirdly, the cria likes it and is doing okay. Changing formula right now, in my opinion would be unwise, unless you suspect that your current "formula" is causing an issue.

If the dam is not anxious to nurse the cria, you can restrain her and allow the cria to get under there. This is definitely a trial of patience on your part, but in the long run very worth it and very important for cria and dam!

Lastly, I can't remember if this cria is girl or boy, but if a boy, please be careful with how much you interact, for you may create a male that imrints on you and when he reaches adulthood will consider you and other humans a rival alpaca and literally attck you.

If you want to bottle feed a cria for 4 to 6 months, go for it, but if it were me, I would be getting the cria's mom to do all the work, or at least the majority of it!

Laurel

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

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