Below are a series of photographs of an unpacking at our farm. It was this dam's second cria and we were there with a camera to capture this textbook birthing. Hopefully these photographs will assist and reassure new breeders on what to expect during unpacking.
The stage numbers shown relate to those given in the Reproduction page text - I would recommend reading through this as it explains the complete mating to unpacking cycle and some of the variations that can be expected.
Important: all information on this page is based on experience at this alpaca farm and is for your guidance only. Should you suspect at any time that unpacking is not proceeding normally, you must seek veterinary help immediately. Nothing provided here is a substitute for veterinary consultation.
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NZ Eikon Saffron at 319 days showing a bulging abdomen. Foetal movements could occasionally be seen at this time. She started Stage 1 labour early in the morning after 341 days gestation. Amniotic fluid was seen discharging onto her legs, she was restless, had stopped eating, repeatedly tried to use the midden and was humming frequently.
After 15 minutes, the head and both forelimbs emerged. Often, one leg will appear some time before the other but both should be visible as the neck emerges.
A further 5 minutes on, the neck was seen and legs had fully appeared. The cria was clearly heard making grunting noises. Note: If only one extended leg and most of the neck can be seen, call your vet immediately.
Saffron paused during a break from the contractions. It is not unusual for the dam to rest during the unpacking, either kushed or standing. Some will even graze with the cria dangling for a period before the contractions resume. This does however allow fluid to drain from the cria's lungs.
Final strong contractions cause the hips and hindlegs to be expelled and the cria drops to the ground. Labour was finished after one hour. The cria can be seen with the epidermal membrane covering the its neck and thorax. It should be gently removed from these areas.
After only a few minutes, the cria raised itself to the kush position. Saffron and the cria immediately started bonding by humming to each other. Strong contractions resume and the placenta was expelled thirty minutes later. Note: If the placenta has not passed within 8 hours or seems incomplete, call for veterinary assistance.
About 45 minutes after birth, the cria had recovered enough to attempt standing. The sex of the cria can then be confirmed as the tail is frequently raised. In this case, we have a male. We weighed the cria at this time - a very healthy 9.5 kg.
The stub from the umbilical cord is visible in this photo. It should be well sprayed with an antiseptic solution. The stub falls off after a few days.
Seventy five minutes post-unpacking, the cria made its first attempts to suckle. Some crias are initially very hit-and-miss but this boy realised the correct end of the dam and the location of the teats very quickly.
After 6 hours the cria has dried in the daytime sun and is strong, alert and suckling well.
Note: Should your cria struggle to respond, stand or feed normally, call for veterinary assistance.
Two weeks later, the cria is a bright bouncy boy with a gorgeous, glossy fleece.
Farm tours are available for small groups and families to meet, feed, interact with and walk with our alpacas.
For full details and to book your experience of these wonderful animals, please go to our reservation form.
During our farm tours, visitors ask many questions about the alpacas, from keeping them, on their health, to their breeding and much between. This page gives a selection of these along with concise answers and many pointers to more detailed information. This page will be growing!
Directions - Once in Wanganui, drive up Somme Parade and when it becomes Papaiti Road (just past the cemetery), travel a further 7.4km alongside the river. We are the first house on the right with a large white letterbox. On Google Maps we are shown as 'Te Korito Alpacas'.
