This little fella is Mars, born to Venus (yes, the one we were not even sure was pregnant) around lunchtime today. After the ravages of wind and rain last night we checked all the animals first thing this morning just to check all was well, and whilst the alpacas looked a little soggy still, (they did not use the field shelter obviously), neither Venus or Saturn looked as though birthing was imminent. When we realised we had a new addition (which we actually spied from the study window) we hurried on down, just in time to see Mars being introduced to the rest of the group! Alpacas are incredibly protective and as we approached, all five adults formed a circle round Mars and we got ‘the eye’ from most of them too. We did get a little nearer as we wanted to check him over and to see what sex he was (as at that point we did not know). Venus was not majorly happy but she let is pick him up and check him out. He was so light! Newborn alpacas are usually between 5 and 7 kilos when born, Heavier than our lambs and kids but an awful lot bigger of course. Those legs are incredible, they look way too thin to offer any support and yet Mars was running alongside his mum within minutes of us going down to see him!! Mars took a drink as we stood and watched and it was a VERY long drink, no worries about him having his fill of colostrum!!!
The pictures are of him with Saturn (granny) and then besides his mum, Venus.
Today has been dry most of the day but still windy, we hope that if they need to use the field shelter that the alpacas will tonight!!!
So, just one more birth to go, we have had 25 four-legged births so far, so if all goes well with Saturn it will be 26, which in essence means we have doubled our numbers!!! Very few are to be kept mind you….. but we will continue to have the total joy of watching them all grow up as the summer progresses!