s e v e n i s a j o u r n e y

This was an alpaca-tastic weekend.

Friday we tried our first mating with Highland Heir. He was very interested in Persil, but she spat him off in no uncertain terms. He showed a little interest in Concetta, but she also spat him off. We figured she might not yet be ready, and decided to try again with her Sunday.

Saturday we got up early to drive the two hours up to Palmerston North for an all-day alpaca neonatal training course. It was very useful, and totally worth the time and money. The morning was largely theoretical (powerpoint slides) talking about how to recognize birthing problems, and what can go wrong. In the afternoon we went on to using artificial uterus setups with stillborn cria. These dead cria could be arranged into various dystocias (incorrect birth positions), so we could learn how to determine by-feel what was wrong, and correct it. Hopefully this willl never come up, but knowing what do do provides a huge boost of confidence. Plus it turns out my hand will fit in an emergency, though a smaller womans hand is preferable. We also learned just how hard you mave to pull if extracting a stuck cria. Knowing what level of force is appropriate and safe in totally invaluable.

Sunday our friend MJ, who is a zoo vet, came over in the afternnon. We looked at the ‘paca. We took Hankyo and Hyouki for a walk up the valley. Quite an enjoyable afternoon. She gave Victoria a vet-check for us, which we need for her insurance. Then it was time to try mating Concetta again. We brought everyone down to the pens. Once again Heri-y showed great interest in the white girls, and got another firm spit-off from Persil, who may in fact be pregnant. But he had no interest in Concetta. She was standing there, clearly somewhat aroused by all the orgling he had done for Persil- yet he steadfastly ignored her. (heck, he kicked her away when she came over and sniffed his tail!)

It seems he only liked white girls, and Concetta is a lovely fawn. What were we to do? MJ came up with the solution (though it seemed ludicrous at the time)… flour! I got some flour, and tossed a handful on her hindquarters. Heir-y saw the lovely now-white bum, and the action immediately commenced! (Photots later) After 12 minutes of silly orgling he was done, and we put everyone back to their paddocks. Next week we mate Joy, and test Concetta to see if she has ovulated (if she spits off). Plus we willl try spitting off Minty. Latte is clearly pregnant, you could see a little cria foot poking out the side of her abdomen. Cute, yet slightly creepy. Looks like from here on out it is alpaca sex every weekend for the rest of the summer.