How to Select Breeding Stock for Alpaca Farming? A Full Analysis of Methods and Techniques

Alpacas are single-offspring animals with a long gestation period (342-345 days), and the miscarriage rate in the first month is relatively high, so the reproductive rate of alpacas is low. Therefore, increasing the reproductive rate of alpacas is the main problem facing the development of the alpaca farming industry.

Female alpacas are generally bred at 12 months of age, while American alpacas are generally bred at 18 months of age. A healthy female alpaca with breeding capacity can give birth to one cria per year and can continue breeding until 15-16 years of age. The gestation period is generally 11.5 months, or about 335 days, and may be longer if it is the first time. Suffering any form of stress can cause miscarriage in the female alpaca, which is also a major problem, and multiple births are quite rare. Mating is usually carried out under artificially controlled conditions to ensure accurate records can be kept. First, the male and female alpacas are placed in a separate pen. If the female alpaca lies down, that means she is ready to mate, and under normal circumstances mating is completed in about 20-40 minutes. Alpacas are all under the condition of induced ovulation, ensuring they can conceive at any time. Most matings are generally arranged in spring and summer to avoid giving birth in winter. The male alpaca induces ovulation during mating.

Seven days after the first mating, the male alpaca is brought to the female alpaca again. If the female alpaca paws the ground and runs away upon seeing him, that means she has already conceived. At 60 days, an ultrasonic sound test is used to check the pregnancy status. The practice of bringing the male alpaca to the female alpaca is called the “saliva secretion method” and can be used throughout the entire pregnancy, and blood tests can sometimes be used to measure increased hormones. In Australia, some embryo transfer and artificial insemination have so far not yet been successful. Alpacas generally give birth during the day, and the cria can stand within 2 hours. Many breeders will put a covering over the cria during the first few days, especially when the weather is unstable.

At present, advanced scientific and technological means are mainly used to increase the reproductive rate of alpacas. Through experts' research, advanced technologies such as artificial insemination, embryo transfer and progesterone implants are expected to give the future development of the alpaca farming industry a helping hand.