Jan 12
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Successful Alpaca Breeding
When we understand the breeding cycles of alpacas, and their individual needs, we can achieve a successful alpaca breeding program. We can buy the best alpaca stocks we can afford, keep records of each alpaca, and give them the best chance possible, not only to breed, but to do so successfully, with the best offspring possible. Building an alpaca herd is a tedious process, because the offspring are seldom twins, and the gestation period is 11,5 months. But although slow and tedious, it is well worth the while.
Alpaca dams do not have a set ovulation cycle, but rather will ovulate when stimulated, either by the calls of a buck or the actual mating. This has a few implications for the alpaca farmer. Firstly, males and females always need to be separated to ensure that females only fall pregnant when the farmer desires so. This should best be timed in such a way that the cria are born in spring. Also, young alpaca males should be removed from their dams at between 12 and 16 months at the latest, to ensure that the female does not succumb to his amorous overtures.
Alpaca dams are mature enough to breed from 15 months of age, but it is advisable to wait until they are at least 99 lbs. (45 kg.) before breeding for the first time, to ensure a safe pregnancy and delivery. Although studs will feel amorous, and certainly try to breed, they do not have viable sperm until they are between 2 ½ and 3 years old. In the first 6 months the studs can be used for breeding two days a week at the most. By the time they are fully matured at 3 years old, they can successfully breed twice every day, with a rest period every tenth day, without affecting their sperm production.
Alpacas are also susceptible to breeding and reproducing difficulties, as any other creatures are. It is important to have any new breeders checked over by a veterinarian before purchase. The vet needs to check for any visible or hidden illnesses, defects and signs signalling infertility. It is also important to monitor productivity of all alpacas in your herd by thorough record keeping.
Even top breeders can suddenly stop performing well or at all. This can be due to a number of factors, including heat stress, illness, moving the animals, a change in diet, environment and climate or even normal stress. Try to find the cause of under productivity, and treat these causes. If the alpaca remains unproductive, it needs to be removed from your breeding program, and be moved to ether the fleece or meat production side of your farm.
As far as is possible, you should ensure a safe and stress-free environment to keep your alpacas healthy and happy. If you do this for them, there is a greater chance for your alpaca breeding to be successful.
