Newborn alpaca cria at Strangford Bay Alpacas

Alpaca guide

The Alpaca Maternity Ward: A Guide to Unpacking & Cria Care

Published on September 30, 2024

Please note that this guide is based on our personal birthing experiences. We have not encountered every possible birthing scenario, so we recommend contacting your vet if there are any complications. Images used in this guide are photos from births at our farm and show real births.

Alpaca birthing, affectionately known as “unpacking”, can be a thrilling yet nerve-wracking experience, whether you are a seasoned alpaca owner or a first-time breeder. While we all hope for smooth deliveries every time, it is important to be prepared for the moments when things do not go to plan. This guide walks through the essentials of alpaca birth and newborn cria care so you can feel more confident and ready.

Preparation is key

Preparation is key when it comes to alpaca birthing. Make sure you have quick access to the following:

  • Towels for drying the cria
  • Clean, warm blankets if the cria needs warmed up
  • Iodine solution or similar to clean the umbilical
  • Cria coat
  • Digital thermometer
  • Honey
  • Weigh kit, such as a sling or bathroom scales
  • Sterile gloves
  • Sterile lube
  • Colostrum, whether powdered or from a trusted TB-free source

Mating & due dates

We exclusively do supervised pen matings so we can correctly calculate the due date of our females, working from 340 days after a successful mating. We then monitor closely from around four weeks before the due date.

Labour signs

Alpaca showing labour signs
Pregnant alpaca showing labour signs

If your birthing field is not in sight of your home, we highly recommend using a camera so you can monitor any female close to birthing. Signs that your female may be getting close include:

  • Staying separate from the herd
  • Rolling more frequently
  • Visiting the poo pile more often and for longer
  • Humming or becoming more vocal
  • Tail in the air
  • Vulva looking more open when lying on her side
  • Visible bulging either side of the vulva
  • Other females sniffing her behind

Active labour & birth

Most births occur during daylight hours and often on a sunny day, but this is certainly not guaranteed.

Stage 1

  • The female will often appear agitated, separate herself and hold her tail in the air.
  • She may look like she is trying to do a poo and you will see contractions. She may lie down, stand up and roll repeatedly, which can all be normal at this stage.
Alpaca in active labour

What can go wrong in stage 1?

  • If this stage lasts more than 5 hours, call your vet.
  • If the female is showing exaggerated signs of pain, kicking at her belly or rolling excessively, it could be a uterine torsion. Call the vet immediately.

Stage 2

  • The cria will begin to emerge, usually within the amniotic sac, and you will often see the nose first.
  • The front feet should follow shortly after and break the sac.
  • The cria may start opening and closing its mouth or shaking its head while still attached via the umbilical.
  • The female may pause and rest. This can be normal, but make sure she does not sit on the cria.
  • Once contractions begin again, the shoulders should come through and the rest of the cria should follow fairly quickly.
Cria emerging during labour
Alpaca birthing stage two
Cria being born
Newly born alpaca cria

What can go wrong in stage 2?

  • If the head and two feet are not visible within 5 minutes, the cria may be malpositioned and need manipulation.
  • If the head and feet are out but the sac has not broken, you should break it by hand so the cria can start clearing its lungs.
  • If something other than a clear sac appears first, it may be the placenta, which is an emergency.
  • If the female is straining but making no progress after the head and feet are out, she may need gentle help with the shoulders.
Example of amniotic sac during alpaca birth
Placenta first presentation during alpaca birth

Stage 3

  • The placenta will usually follow within 6 hours.
Placenta after alpaca birth

What can go wrong in stage 3?

  • Call the vet if the placenta is not expelled within 6 hours or if it appears torn or incomplete.

Cria care

Immediate care

  • If the weather is poor, move mum and cria inside.
  • Clear the remaining sac from around the cria’s mouth and nose.
  • Dry the cria with a towel.
  • Spray the umbilical well.
  • Weigh the cria. Average birth weight is around 6–10kg.
  • If cold or wet, put a cria coat on immediately.
  • If possible, make sure all 4 teats are producing and any wax caps are removed.

Milestones after birth

  • 5–10 minutes: the cria should be attempting to sit up.
  • 30 minutes: the cria should be attempting to stand.
  • 60 minutes: the cria should be looking for milk.
  • 4 hours: the cria should have had its first drink.
  • 24 hours: the cria should be active and drinking regularly.

If the cria seems slow or is not meeting these milestones, you may need to intervene and should involve your vet if you are concerned.

Ongoing care

  • Always use a cria coat for the first few nights, even if you remove it during the day.
  • Weigh daily for at least 2 weeks. A small drop in weight the day after birth can be normal, but from day 2 you should see a steady increase.
  • Continue weighing weekly for the next few months.
  • Vaccinate at 30 days and 60 days.
  • Wean once over 35kg or after 6 months.
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