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Breeding and Reproduction

The female Alpaca can be bred at a minimum age of 12 months to 16 months and preferably at about 100 pounds. Since females can become pregnant as young as 8 months of age, it is advisable to keep young females separate from intact males. The female Alpaca usually produces one cria per year. The gestation period is approximately 330 to 350 days and they seldom give birth to twins. The average productive life of females is about 20 years.

Male Alpacas generally become sexually mature between two and three years of age. Selectively breeding for confirmation and fibre quality is the fastest way to improve your herd. By carefully selecting quality stud males and breeding them to top quality females, you will produce genetically superb cria and derive great satisfaction from your breeding program.

There are two basic methods of breeding. In selective breeding, the male is put with one female in a small enclosure. The male will pursue her and if she will not submit to the male it is an indication that she may be pregnant. If the female decides to sit and allow herself to be mated, coitus usually lasts 15 – 20 minutes. The male will usually warble and nibble on the females ears gently and is oblivious to other activity around him.

The second method, field breeding, is also popular and many Alpaca breeders will pasture a male with a group of females. The problem with this method is to determine whether breeding actually occurred and if so, on what date. The female will start rejecting the male once she is pregnant. Most breeders will then ultrasound or progesterone test the female to prove pregnancy.

Mature females do not come into heat and are induced ovulators which means the breeding process induces the female to ovulate. As a result there is no specific breeding season although most Alpaca ranchers prefer to have their cria born from April through October in colder areas.

Alpacas almost always have their crias during the warmest part of the day. Birthing usually is quick and problem free. Alpaca babies come in a variety of colors and breeders will require several generations of selective breeding to better predict colors. As a result the newborn baby’s color is always a surprise and a delight. The female will be ready to be breed in 10 to 14 days after birthing. As a result she will spend most of her productive life pregnant.

Alpacas are gentle and protective mothers. The baby Alpaca will usually suckle its mother within one hour after birth. Weaning age is five to six months and usually by this age the baby Alpaca will weigh 70 to 85 pounds.