Waiting For Alpaca Babies

Most of the alpaca females on Stormwind Farm are due to give birth in the next few weeks. I don't like to leave the farm for extended periods of time during birthing season and often turn down invitations for social occasions. When you raise livestock, you simply cannot always come and go as you please.

The gestation period of an alpaca lasts from 335 to 365 days, with occasional extremes occuring on either end. Most babies are born during the day. Healthy crias often will stand and nurse within 10 to 20 minutes after "arrival."

This past week, I've prepared fly bait and filled the traps. No matter how clean a farm is, manure attracts flies. My home-made fly bait is non-toxic but extremely effective. I mix five gallons at a time—just enough to fill all the traps distributed at strategic locations around the farm. It's not my favorite job, but I want my alpacas to be comfortable.

I may be contacted through my website www.stormwindalpacas.com.