We have begun to breed the alpacas. It's a lot more challenging than one would think - the females are induced ovulators as opposed to having a distinct breeding season where they are in heat. Their proximity to and the behaviour of the males induces them to ovulate and so breeding is actually part of a whole courtship it seems.
We think it will take may tries for us to learn the trick of it- and even experience doesn't guarantee conception. After the first breeding, the females are reintroduced to the males every few days to see if they show interest. If they do, then the mating takes place again. Then the whole "test / remate" thing goes on again.
Once they have conceived, the females carry the baby for 11.5 months, which is a long time for a girl to wait!
Shauna-Marie is getting so big, we are really excited to see her baby (which is called a cria).
We think it will take may tries for us to learn the trick of it- and even experience doesn't guarantee conception. After the first breeding, the females are reintroduced to the males every few days to see if they show interest. If they do, then the mating takes place again. Then the whole "test / remate" thing goes on again.
Once they have conceived, the females carry the baby for 11.5 months, which is a long time for a girl to wait!
Shauna-Marie is getting so big, we are really excited to see her baby (which is called a cria).
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