Our First Baby of 2012

Goodness, what a difference a week makes.  Born just 7 days ago, our newest addition to the alpaca barn has already been shorn and is enjoying each day.  Definitely a sunbather, we have to be careful she doesn't stay out in the middle of the day.  We don't want her getting sunburned.

Her entry into the world was not the kindest.  It was cold and rainy and she only had novice caretakers to make sure she was ok.  She seemed to have an initial fondness for the back of the hay bin - probably because it looked warm and dark, so we bundled her up in towels to try and warm her up.  At this point, we weren't too sure who mommy was - but hoped they'd figure it out.  A hair dryer was brought into service to provide some drying, warm air and, after all this, poor baby finally stopped shivering.

The next problem was - who is mommy?  None of the pregnant mommies looked at all interested in this new baby and as no-one had seen her being born, it was pure guess work.  None of the mommy alpacas was willing to let me look under her tail so we put the baby in a stall and hoped mom would come to find her - no-one came.  Next, we carried the little one toward the adults and the baby appeared agitated when she saw one particular female, so we put them in a stall together and hoped they'd work it out.  They did!

Then we found the afterbirth.  Lovely!!!

Luckily, Nancy had explained what to do with it the week before and explained it as "just like scooping up dog poop".  I.e., pick it up inside a plastic bag and turn inside out.  Well, I can tell you for sure, having picked up way too much dog poop in my time - it is NOTHING like scooping up dog poop.

I found a trash bag (first hint it's a lot different) and tried to use both hands to "scoop".  Unluckily for me, as I scooped two sides together, it flopped out on the other two sides.  Don't forget, it is still raining and this was all mixed in with the mud and poop on the barn floor.  After a few miserable attempts, I managed to manhandle the afterbirth into the trash bag and thankfully put it to one side.  Maybe all I'm missing is practice :-)

Well, looking at her today, no-one would guess how miserable her first few hours were.  She is almost pure white and looks like she will be a wonderful addition to the barn.  Her fleece looks very promising, or did until we she was shorn this past weekend. She is growing stronger every day and we are waiting anxiously for her to be named.  Many wonderful suggestions were offered over the weekend during our Shearing Day and Open Barn and so I'm sure it will be coming soon.

Four more babies are due and I'm anxiously waiting - trash bag at the ready - for the next birthing.  Hopefully I'll get to see it this time.  If I do, I will be sure to post pictures.