Just posted on the Farm Business page…
Read about Alpaca Color Genetics. Specifically, that Pesky White-Spotting Gene which causes blue-eyed whites (rats!) and greys (hooray!).
Did you know that alpacas come in more colors than any other mammal? It’s true. They are amazing.
Amber and Luminescence have a date
Our alpacas are usually “handbred”. This means that we choose a male who will complement and improve our female and we put the two of them together in a stall or a pen outside. Then we observe them breed. This way we get a due date which helps us know when to start watching for a cria (baby alpaca). It also means that we observe any unusual behavior or problems, and we know who the daddy is going to be.
Here, maiden Amber is breeding with our herdsire, Luminescence. This will be Amber’s first cria. She is fairly new to the whole breeding experience. Alpacas are very social creatures. When breedings occur, the whole herd wants to know what’s going on. They are curious and breeding is somewhat of a social event. “Oh, look, Marge…Amber’s breeding! Isn’t that nice for her?! Next year she’ll have a cria. I always said she’d make a great mother.”
During the breeding, we had some other interested alpacas. Mature audiences may read on… More »
As a new breeder, I usually selected males for my open females based on how attractive they were. My idea was to choose a male that I would like my cria to look like. Often the sire’s owners would make suggestions, but I was never clear exactly WHY they were suggesting that particular male. Back then, all alpacas were lovely and if the male had a few ribbons, a few nice cria on the ground, and the price was reasonable – then it seemed like a good choice. Today, with more experience under my belt, breeding decisions require more thought. Let’s look at some of the steps to take when choosing a herdsire.
1. Assess Your Female
When you purchase females, it is a good idea to ask the Seller about the female’s strengths and weaknesses. (Like people, alpacas have both.) This is a good starting point. If your female was born on your farm and you are new to alpacas, you may experience “barn blindness”. This can happen to long time breeders too so don’t feel bad. But when starting out, most of us think that all our alpacas are wonderful and we can be blind to their flaws. A more experienced alpaca breeder can help you determine the strengths and weaknesses of your little darling. Ask an alpaca friend, expert, or the herdsire’s owner to help you assess your girl.
Another way to have your alpaca assessed is by entering her in an AOBA sanctioned alpaca show. Halter shows are a great way to meet other breeders. Watching the show will help you learn about the best alpacas in your area. Listening to the judges discuss their placements will teach you more about what makes an exceptional alpaca. Consider both fleece and conformation. Ask to look at the Champion and Reserve Champion alpaca’s fleeces as they exit the ring. This can teach you a lot about what the alpaca industry is breeding towards.
For assessing fleece, nothing is better than an AOBA Fleece Show. You will have to skirt your fleece beforehand. Some shows allow you to mail in your fleece. This is one way to get a judge’s opinion of your alpaca’s fleece without the extra expense of hotels, transportation, and missed days of work. Your alpaca will receive a scorecard with various scores on different aspects of her fleece. While winning ribbons is great, even if you do not win, you will receive feedback from the judge that will be valuable as you prepare to breed your female. Now you have assessed your female….click here to continue reading.
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Chocolate Creme is expecting!
We are so pleased to report that this stylish alpaca is bred to our super herdsire, SCA Peruvian Magnum, for a Spring 2009 cria. Chocolate Creme is from the herd at Tuscany Valley Alpacas, owned by our friend, Carol Grace. This beauty drove down on a Saturday for a date with Magnum, and returned home later that night. Whew! That type of whirlwind courtship is called a “drive-by” in the alpaca biz. The stars were in alignment, and it will result in a cria next Spring.
Butterscotch is bred too!
Actually, Magnum had two drive-by breedings that day that resulted in a pregnancy. Congratulations to Greg and Sheila Andrews at Little Hummers Alpaca Farm, who also drove lovely Butterscotch over for her date on Greg’s birthday! (What a present, huh?) Champion Butterscotch was previously a part of our foundation herd. We miss her funny personality, and wish the Andrews the best with their 09 Magnum cria!
Way to go, Magnum!
