Preparation for Winter

If you are expecting cria births from now on, make sure you have a supply of cria coats. When a cria is born in winter and we are around to see the birth, we usually dry the cria off with a clean towel and then let the mother and cria bond for 5 minutes. We put a coat on straight after bonding and if the weather is bad, leave the coat on for several days. As the cria is growing daily, you need to make sure the belly strap doesn't get too tight. If a cria is born in very cold and wet conditions, it's advisable to put mother and cria in a stable or shelter for the first night if you have the facilities.

Alpacas don't like eating in the rain. So when it does rain for extended periods of time, they tend to just sit down and wait for the rain to pass. The longer the alpaca sits and doesn't eat, their energy levels deplete to a state where they get cold and weak and may even die.

To combat the affect of cold, wet weather, it's advisable to make sure your alpacas have dry feed and some sort of shelter if possible.

Alpaca Maintenance - More information on alpacas

Putting weight on thin alpacas
Fencing for alpacas
How to determine signs of a sick alpaca
Basic first aid kit for alpacas
Alpaca body temperatures
Can cold and wet weather affect alpacas?
Making sense of the alpaca fibre analysis
Rye grass staggers
Taking the perfect alpaca photograph
Facial abscess
Berserk male syndrome
Vitamin D
Weaning
Constipated crias
Preparation for Winter
Keeping alpaca records
Alpacas need head-space
Testing for parasites
Birthing help
Cutting Toenails
A Working Dog's Guide to Alpacas
Paddock Maintenance
Alpacas for Pets
Alpacas as Sheep Guardians