Well, the cria totals for 2007 are in. 

We had a grand total of  17 cria born on the ranch this year.  Ten females and seven males.  We lost two of the females to premature birth and stress on the moms. 

Of the eight surviving females, three are already spoken for.  Of the seven males, five have potential, at least four of those have REAL potential and one is already spoken for.

We’re really impressed with the outstanding quality that both Falcon and Ares have produced for us this year.  We had more color from the two of them than we expected.

Ares produced beige, lt fawn, white, black and brown.  Falcon produced fawn and white.  Falcon was bred to white more often than Ares, so we would expect him to produce more white.

Birth weights remained at around 16lbs average.  This does not take into consideration the problems we had earlier this season with the two premature Canadian animals.

Other than the two problem Canadians, only two minor dystocias were experienced.  One needed the assistance of the vet and we handled the other.

Weight gain has not been an issue.  All cria are progressing nicely.  All of the moms have plenty of milk and good mothering skills.

We had another 12 alpacas join us from Washinton State this past week.  Two of these females will be giving birth in the dead of winter this year.  Let’s hope they pick a reasonably nice day for the delivery.  Winter babies are SO risky here.

For next year we have used Ares, Falcon, Pogonip, Kippersof, Chester and Juan Pablo.  All of these males can be found here.

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