The Friendliest Alpaca

Have you ever gone to a farm only to have the alpacas avoid you like the plague?  You may be wondering: "Why do they call them the Huggable Investment"?

OK, I've asked myself that same question, however, I do have one beautiful alpaca that would qualify as a "huggable investment" and her name is Crystal Light.  You may recognize her name from my previous post:  Saving Crystal.  Based on that story (take time to read it if you haven't already), my unscientific theory is that Crystal, in her own way, is thanking me for saving her life.

Each morning when I go out to do chores, Crystal lovingly comes up to me and wants a hug and kiss.  She brightens my day as she makes all kinds of humming noises, vocalizing her approval.  I wish I could upload a tape of the sounds she makes, so you could hear it.

As you can see by the photo, this affection is not directed only towards me, but is freely expressed to others.  So, if you are ever in Northern Ohio, please feel free to contact the Criation Station Alpaca Farm to visit Crystal Light.  Maybe she'll have a hug and kiss just for you!

To see more information about Crystal go to http://www.alpacanation.com/alpacasforsale/03_viewalpaca.asp?name=140864

Saving Crystal

 Crystal Light is her name, and this is her story.

On the morning of April 8, 2010, Chenoa looked to be quite uncomfortable.  Her due date was near, so I figured the cria must have been laying in a position that was uncomfortable for her.

After a little while of careful watching, I made the decision to contact our local veterinarian.  We discussed the possibility of Chenoa having a uterine torsion, which means that her uterus is twisted, thus blocking the birth canal.

Upon the arrival of the vet, he determined that Chenoa indeed had a uterine torsion.  In our nine years of raising alpacas, this was my first experience with a uterine torsion.  What ensued sounds comical, but was absolutely necessary to save Crystal's life.

Chenoa was tranquilized and laid on her side.  The vet determines which direction the uterus is twisted, so as to know which way to roll the body of the alpaca.  He ties a rope to her back legs, has me firmly hold downward on the belly of the alpaca, and he rolls her over (picture legs straight up in the air as she goes over :).  He checks again, and determines we've rolled her the wrong way.  So, following the same procedure, we roll her back (back to square one).  Then we slowly, roll her the other direction.   Ahhh, success.

The vet tells me that the cria's nose is right there and that the delivery will happen within an hour or so.  Oh, how slowly time passes...

One hour, no delivery.  Two hours, still no delivery.  I administered a shot of Oxytocin to assist Chenoa's body in re-initiating the contractions.  This appeared to work, as the delivery started shortly after. 

Oh no, another complication.  This time a minor one, but given what had already happened, my adrenaline level was at an all time high.  Crystal's head was tilted downward, making it unable to pass through the opening.  So, the OB gloves go on, lubed up and in I go to manipulate the head, pushing back slightly, so as not to injure the neck, and bringing the nose forward.  Another success...the delivery progresses.

One final albeit minor issue.  Poor Chenoa has been in labor for such a long time that she's just about out of strength, so she stops pushing.  Thankfully, the head, neck and front legs have all been delivered, so I give assistance by gently pulling on the cria with each contraction.  One contraction...two contractions and Crystal is delivered.

Praise the Lord for the successful delivery of TCS Crystal Light!

Stay tuned next week for the story of Crystal Light - The Friendliest Alpaca.

Have you ever seen an alpaca being born?

If the answer is a resounding NO, then you are in for a treat.  Now, I have to preface this by saying; if you are a little squeamish, then maybe viewing the photos isn't for you.  If not, then let's go...

The reluctant specimen is FA Kimberlite, who is delivering her first cria, aptly named TCS Miss Independence, being born on July 4th.

The day began as any other.  Feeding, cleaning, and visiting with the alpacas.  Kimberlite was due, but not showing any signs of impending delivery.  With it being the 4th of July, we needed to get to our friends for the food and fun.  We arrived home to find Kimberlite plastering herself to the barn wall in agony (Oh, I mean labor pains).

It appeared she had been in labor for some time, so we watched to see if there was any signs of the cria coming out.  We couldn't see anything, so we contacted our local vet.  He offered to come out and see what was going on.  I tell you as soon as his truck hit the driveway, we could see the little nose popping out. 

The photos show the progression from the crias' (baby alpaca) front legs coming out to her nose/head/neck projecting out.  We then see the cria being gently pulled by the vet (this is usually not necessary), to Missy being fully delivered and resting by her moma.

Funny thing is that even once the cria was delivered Kimberlite still was moaning and groaning like the cria hadn't come out yet.  I pulled her cria in front of her so she could see it, then she stopped.

The final photos show Missy attempting to stand.  This happens quite quickly with alpacas.  Most crias are standing within an hour of birth, and running within a couple hours.

I hope you've enjoyed this tour of the alpaca birthing process.