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🍼 Cria Care & Weaning Guide

Complete young alpaca management for UK conditions. From newborn care through successful weaning and herd integration, based on expert guidance from Tim Hey, Claire Whitehouse, and BAS protocols.

Successful cria care is the foundation of a thriving alpaca herd. From the critical first hours through weaning and beyond, proper management during these early months determines lifelong health, temperament, and productivity. The UK's unique climate presents specific challenges that require adapted care protocols compared to alpacas' native South American environment.

🎯 Critical Success Factor: "The first 24 hours are absolutely crucial. Proper colostrum intake, navel care, and environmental protection set the stage for everything that follows." - Leading UK Alpaca Veterinary Specialists
👶 Newborn Care

Critical First 24 Hours

Milestone Normal Timing Action Required
Standing 30-60 minutes Monitor - assist if necessary after 2 hours
First Nursing 2-4 hours Critical for colostrum intake - intervention needed if delayed
First Bowel Movement 24-36 hours Watch for constipation - enema may be needed
Antibody Testing 24-48 hours Blood test to check Failure of Passive Transfer (FPT)
  • Birth weight: Normal 6-8kg - under 6kg requires intensive monitoring
  • Navel care: Dip umbilical cord in iodine tincture immediately
  • Temperature: Normal range 37.75-39°C (slightly higher than adults)
  • Heart rate: 80-120 beats per minute (faster than adult 60-90 bpm)
  • UK weather protection: Have waterproof cria coats ready for variable climate
🚨 Emergency Signs: Failure to stand within 2 hours, no nursing within 4 hours, hypothermia, or respiratory distress require immediate veterinary attention.
📈 Growth Monitoring

Weight & Development Tracking

First Week

Daily Weighing

Expected gain: 0.25-0.5kg daily after first 24 hours

Weeks 2-4

Every Other Day

Establish consistent growth pattern

2-6 Months

Weekly Weighing

Monitor for steady development

Weaning Time

Target: 27-45kg

Depends on birth season

  • Spring-born crias: Typically 35-45kg at 6 months (July or earlier births)
  • Autumn-born crias: Average 21-26kg at 6 months due to slower winter growth
  • Body condition scoring: Monthly using 1-5 or 1-10 scale, focus on spine and ribs
  • Daily visual checks: Monitor behavior, appetite, and general alertness
  • Weekly assessments: Check ears, eyes, nose, and overall condition
🍼 Feeding & Nutrition

From Colostrum to Solid Food

Colostrum Management

  • Quality hierarchy: Fresh camelid, then goat, then cow colostrum
  • Timing: 10-20% of body weight in first 24 hours
  • Critical period: Must nurse within 4 hours
  • Alternatives: Immucol Platinum if natural colostrum unavailable

Transition to Solids

  • First nibbling: Around 2 weeks of age
  • Creep feeding: Dedicated cria-only access areas
  • Alfalfa supplement: Recommended by many veterinarians
  • Hay essential: Year-round for rumen development

🥛 Emergency Feeding Protocol

  • Bottle feeding: Only when absolutely necessary - 10-15% body weight over 24 hours
  • Feeding frequency: 2-hourly feeds for weak crias
  • Goat milk supplement: Can be used post-24 hours if needed
  • Avoid over-socialization: Risk of Aberrant Behavior Syndrome (ABS)
💉 Vaccination Schedule

Protecting Young Alpacas

Early Start Protocol

If dam wasn't properly vaccinated

  • First dose: Lambivac at 2-3 days old
  • Second dose: 2-3 weeks after first
  • Third dose: At 4-6 months of age
  • Annual boosters: Starting at 6 months

Standard Protocol

If dam vaccinated 4-8 weeks pre-birth

  • Maternal protection: Colostrum provides cover to 6 weeks
  • Start vaccination: At 10-12 weeks of age
  • Follow standard: Adult vaccination schedule thereafter
  • Vaccine options: Lambivac, Covexin 10, Heptavac-P Plus
💡 UK Requirement: All vaccines are sheep products used off-label. Live vaccines require refrigeration and are viable only 8-10 hours once opened.
🏥 Common Health Issues

Prevention & Early Detection

Clostridial Diseases

Types: Pulpy Kidney, Pasteurella, Bighead, Blackleg, Tetanus

Symptoms: Abdominal pain, diarrhea, fatigue, decreased appetite, sudden death

Prevention: Vaccination essential - no effective treatment available

Coccidiosis

Risk: Most common in neonates and juveniles, especially wet months

Prevention: Baycox treatment 7 days after weaning

Management: Good hygiene, avoid overcrowding

Vitamin D Deficiency (UK-Specific)

Risk: Limited sunlight compared to South America

Supplementation: Injectable Hipravit 1ml subcutaneously every 2 months Oct-Apr

Critical for: Bone development, especially late-born crias

🌱 Weaning Process

Successful Transition to Independence

Optimal Timing

  • Age: 5-6 months (typically 6 months in UK)
  • Weight: Minimum 27kg (60 pounds)
  • Season impact: Spring-born cope better
  • Individual assessment: Health and development status

Pre-Weaning Prep (4 days before)

  • Health procedures: Weigh, retag, microchip
  • Worming: Panacur at 4x sheep dose
  • Record updates: All identification and health records
  • Group planning: Separate males and females

🗓️ Weaning Day Protocol

  • Separation method: Move crias to clean pasture out of sight/sound of mothers
  • Group size: Approximately 20 animals per group maximum
  • Gender separation: Separate into male and female groups immediately
  • Stress reduction: Keep familiar companions together where possible
  • Post-weaning medication: Baycox 7 days after weaning for coccidiosis prevention
🩺 Post-Weaning Care

Continued Development Management

  • Feeding program: Twice daily with Camelibra, sugar beet pulp, Fibregest
  • Trough space: Provide 2 feet of trough space per alpaca
  • Hay access: Continue ad libitum access to quality hay
  • Weight monitoring: Every 2 weeks for first month, then every 2-3 weeks
  • Group management: Maintain groups of 20 or fewer to reduce stress
  • Vitamin supplementation: AD&E paste every 6 weeks Oct-Mar for late-born crias
  • Social structure: Allow natural hierarchy to develop
  • Intensive monitoring: First 2 weeks post-weaning are critical
📊 Growth Targets: Maintain steady weight gain appropriate for age and season. Spring-born crias should continue robust growth, while autumn-born may have slower winter development.
🏠 Housing & Environment

UK-Adapted Shelter Requirements

Basic Shelter Needs

  • Three-sided shelters: Minimum protection standard
  • Space allocation: 40 square feet minimum per alpaca
  • Ventilation: Essential to prevent respiratory issues
  • Flooring: Gravel preferred over concrete

UK Climate Adaptations

  • Winter housing: Can winter outdoors with adequate shelter
  • Drainage: Critical in wet climate for foot health
  • Fencing: 4-foot sheep fencing, avoid barbed wire
  • Predator protection: Secure fencing essential for young crias
🚨 Emergency Care

Critical Care Protocols

🚑 Emergency Assessment Protocol

  • IV catheter placement: Early placement while examining
  • Blood sampling: Immediate collection for testing
  • Alternative access: Intraosseous infusion if IV impossible
  • Temperature monitoring: Hypothermia is core sign of distress

Hypothermia Management

  • Remove from drafts, dry if wet
  • Use external heat sources carefully
  • Turn recumbent crias frequently
  • Monitor for overheating

Nutritional Emergency

  • Tube feeding for weak crias
  • Immucol Platinum for colostrum replacement
  • Plasma transfusion if IgG below 5.5g/dl
  • Typically 300ml plasma for small crias

🩺 UK Emergency Contacts

  • Camelid Veterinary Services: UK's only specialist camelid practice (Reading-based, serves nationwide)
  • Local veterinarians: Establish relationships with alpaca-experienced local vets
  • Emergency supplies: Maintain stocks of colostrum replacer, feeding tubes, warming equipment
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