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Alpaca Birthing & Cria Care – From Gestation to Growth

A complete guide to alpaca pregnancy, cria delivery, and early care. Learn how to prepare for birthing, support newborns, and prevent infertility in your herd.

Alpaca Birthing & Cria Care – From Gestation to Growth

Alpaca birthing is a special time for every herd owner. From preparing your paddock to caring for the newborn cria, this guide walks you through the entire process — including birthing signs, complications, care essentials, and fertility tips.

Understanding the Birthing Process

Alpacas have a gestation period of 11 to 12 months (average 11.5 months). During this time, the female (dam) should be monitored closely for changes in:

  • Weight and abdominal growth
  • Nesting behaviour or isolation
  • Increased restlessness or agitation

Most alpacas give birth during the day, often standing, and usually deliver a single cria (baby alpaca). Twin births are rare. Labour typically lasts 1–3 hours. Crias usually:

  • Stand within 30–60 minutes
  • Nurse from mum within 1–2 hours
  • Are dry and walking by 4 hours

12 Things to Prepare for Alpaca Birthing

  • 1. Clean, quiet birthing area
  • 2. Experienced handler or vet on call
  • 3. Clean towels or fleece blankets
  • 4. Heat lamp or drying area
  • 5. Disposable gloves
  • 6. KY Jelly or suitable lubricant
  • 7. Suction bulb (for clearing airways)
  • 8. Sterile scissors (umbilical cord care)
  • 9. Stethoscope
  • 10. Thermometer
  • 11. Warm water bucket
  • 12. Clean straw-filled shelter for dam and cria

Caring for the Cria (Baby Alpaca)

Newborn alpacas (crias) require:

  • Colostrum within 6 hours of birth (from mum or banked)
  • Weighing and body temperature check on Day 1
  • Monitoring for milk intake and suckling reflex
  • Socialisation with other cria and safe contact with adults

They should remain with their mothers until weaning (around 5.5–6 months). Keep their space dry, sheltered, and predator-free.

Infertility in Alpacas – Prevention & Treatment

Infertility in alpacas can be caused by poor nutrition, genetic defects, or stress. Common solutions include:

  • Improved nutrition and mineral supplementation
  • Hormone therapy (consult a vet)
  • Artificial insemination or embryo transfer

Prevention includes:

  • Regular body scoring and weight checks
  • Minimising environmental stress
  • Genetic screening of breeding stock

Healthy alpacas should begin breeding around 18–24 months (females) and produce crias annually until ~17 years old.

Watch an Alpaca Birth

Here’s a video showing a live birth from our farm. Witness the miracle of cria delivery: