Weaning
We decided to wean all 174 crias in one hit this year! In the past we have weaned about 40 at a time, but this year it made sense to us to try something different. Having all the crias weaned at the same time has simplified general management overall. We found there was quite a spread of weanling weights, varying from 17 kilos to 48 kilos, with only a spread of 6 weeks of birthing dates. The largest crias, both huacayas and suris among them, certainly needed to give their dams a rest from lactating; but we found that the dams of the smallest crias were also in need of a break. The females were all body condition scored, and those in poorer condition are now on extra rations, as well as being housed overnight, so that they can be back in good condition well before their last trimester of pregnancy.

Weaning is a stressful time for crias and their dams and so, to minimise this, 4 days before weaning, all the crias were dosed with Baycox to prevent coccidia taking advantage of this stress; microchipped, given their new ear tags (replacing the small tags with their mothers tag nos.) and treated against worms. 2 days before this we had taken faecal samples for analysis, and the wormers we used were based on results of this testing. At the same time they had their first dose of Covexin 10 (N.B. this should never be given to the very young. They have just had their booster, and will be given another A,D&E drench just before Christmas. Phew!

The weanlings are being housed in our big barn overnight, for ease of feeding and observation, and they run all the way over to the ‘maze’ field (so named because it’s beside the village maze) during the day. They love it now but, at first, were reluctant to leave the barn.

The weanlings all have ad.lib. haylage, as there is little nutrition in winter grazing, along with Camelibra (minerals) and a protein boost morning and  evening. Just 1 week after weaning the youngsters were all weighed again, and had gained an average of 1.2 kilos each. Just a handful among them had either stayed the same or lost a little weight, but one poor little mite sadly died.

With the recent mild Winters we have found that parasite levels have been generally higher and  this year is no exception. We have been very grateful for the recent sharp frosts to kill parasites in the paddocks. However, we have also been running faecal samples, through Camelid Vet Services, since September to keep on top of any problems which might arise.

Selenium
2 weeks before weaning all the crias had been weighed so that we could give the correct doses of Vits A,D & E and selenium. In fact we have recently dosed the entire herd with Selenium. In August and September we had discovered a few alpacas, across the board including adults and crias, presenting with neurological type symptoms, but they did not have neurological problems. There were different symptoms, but all a bit weird, and all around the same time. So we thought they might be linked in some way, did some blood testing, and discovered a general selenium deficiency.

We have yet to complete the ultrasound scanning of the females, and so have yet to determine whether the selenium deficiency has affected the females’ ability to maintain pregnancy.

Iodine
In 2015 we had more difficult births than usual, with some weaker crias, and noticed that the females needed repeat matings in order to become pregnant. Previous to this our success rate at first mating had been very high. We suspected an underlying problem, and blood testing showed iodine deficiency. The vet suggested twice-weekly drenching of iodine dissolved in water, which would have been huge job! So we made up sugar beet with the iodine water, and fed that twice weekly, to both males and females. The problems went away in a few weeks.

Faced with 2 mineral deficiencies in consecutive years we shall be using a suitable mineral Spring top-dressing on our paddocks.

Winter tips:
Thin Alpacas? Bring them in at night, leave a light on (for part or all of the night) so they can eat for a longer time; give ad-lib haylage and protein boost, and give them warm water – it aids digestion so they will make up the weight loss more quickly.
Sugar Beet: If your females still have crias at foot, maintain their milk supply by giving them hydrated sugar beet.
A,D&E. All your alpacas will benefit from at least one dose of AD&E paste or injection through the winter, in addition to the crias’ 6-8 weekly doses.
Be aware: Alpacas do not break ice or forage under snow. They rely on you for fresh water and hay or haylage.