Crias

This is our new little cria with developmental issues. For the first day or so, all she could do was lie on her side on the ground. She would occasionally wiggle a little, but it certainly didn't look like she'd be able to survive. Our vet, who is the best in the business, didn't have a definitive diagnosis, but suspected possible brain abnormalities, along with a firm diagnosis of cataracts. The cria reacts to light, but we suspect that at most, she can maybe see blurry shadows. We put her on a regimen of Amikacin (antibiotic), Penicillin (antibiotic), Dexamethasone (steroid), Sucralfate (helps prevent ulcers-possible side effect of the other meds), and Banamine (like Tylenol for alpacas).

For the last two days, I've been bottle feeding her cow's milk (she can't nurse from her mom - and besides, her mom has virtually no milk production). In addition, I've been performing alpaca physical therapy, trying to teach her to stand, hold her head up, etc. We've made remarkable progress, and at three days old, she is able to stand, as long as I put her on her feet. She can't yet get up on her own, but if I put her there, she can stay there for a while.

Check back for further updates on this amazing cria. 

This is Spitfire's 2006 cria. He's got luster for days, and it looks like his lock structure is gonna be really good - nice, tight pencil locks. He's a bit on the smallish side, as are both his sire and dam, but has excellent conformation and good bone. He's the spittin' image of his mom, Spitfire, with almost identical color and markings. Yep, she's a real cutie, too! In fact, she's the second alpaca I fell in love with, the first being her 2005 cria, Wild Thing.

Update: Spitfire's cria continues to impress. Though diminutive (like his sire and dam), he's got great bone and conformation. What is most amazing, though, is his fiber. He's got density and coverage - that's a given, considering his lineage. He has great lock structure, with twists and curls all over, and the most incredible luster I've ever seen. He practically glows in the dark, he's so shiny. If this guy doesn't collect his share of blue ribbons, it'll only be because my trailer has a flat, my truck breaks down, and my arms are too weak to carry him to the show! Seriously, this guys got champion written all over him.

Meet Copper Debut of Twisted Lock! He was our very first cria, born in early January of 2006. He has blinding luster, extremely fine fleece, and the tightest little pencil locks you ever saw. He's the color of burnished copper, hence then name. This little guy has become a favorite of judges, taking blue ribbons in both his shows to date. He comes from exquisite genes, with Debutante (a Black Debut daughter) as his dam, and Alpacas of America's Trenton de Peru as his sire. His sire is fawn, and his dam is a gorgeous maroon with vicuña patterning and a white face. It'll be really interesting to see what colors this guy throws when he begins breeding in late 2007.

Update: Copper Debut is racking up an impressive show record. He's garnered blue ribbons at the New Mexico State Fair and Alpaca Expo and the ABR Fall Festival in Colorado, as well as a red ribbon at AlpacaFest West. He's recently hit a bit of a growth spurt, and has acquired a tad more presence, of late.

This is Prudence's 2006 cria. I missed this guy's birth by mere moments, but arrived in time to see him stand, walk, and nurse for the first time - all within 45 minutes of birth. He had an extremely high igg of 2700, proof that his dam, a Peruvian import, really outdid herself in getting his immune system off to a good start. This little Huacaya boy has great density and conformation, and identical coloring to his dam. With any luck, he'll be another show winner like his sire, SHRA Redwood.

Update: Prudence's cria is a really stocky boy. His color has lightened up a bit, so he's now a shade lighter than his mom. He's got great density and coverage, and crimp, to boot. I expect we'll soon see how he does in the show ring.

Coori's 2006 cria was born a couple of weeks early, on the same day Cathy had to have an emergency appendectomy. His tendons were a little loose, which made his legs look a little rubbery for a couple of days. He caught up quickly, and this guy now has the straightest, sturdiest legs I've ever seen on a young cria! Large for his age, and with perfect conformation, this guy is as sweet as can be. He has a looser lock, much like his dam's. We expect he will end up with excellent coverage, and twisted locks like his sire, Sequoia.

Update: Coori's cria has really developed nicely. Now 4 months of age, his fleece is starting to look really nice. He's got extremely fine fleece, which has begun to twist into some of the narrowest, tightest locks I've ever seen. He's got that sort of 'flyaway' fiber that you see on alpacas with very low micron count. His conformation is a thing to behold. He's got incredibly sturdy legs, and continues to be large for his age. This boy's gonna be a big one! If he continues on his present developmental path, this guy will definitely see the show ring in a couple of months.