Pregnancy Proof Roundup
Journal Entry, Week-5, 2021-12-07
First You Have to Catch ‘em
Today we gave ultrasounds for five alpacas with a very ancient (90s-era) machine, which surprisingly still works fine.
Cindy needed to test the following alpacas: Honeysuckle Rose, Channel (the two most resistant were first!), then Prudence, Black Diamond (the most gentle-natured), & Picasa. First, we had to round them up, which involved - you guessed it - gate strategy. After putting a halter on each one, we walked them into the barn. Then, we had to coax each one into the chute. Easier said than done!
The ultrasound has two probe options: one external, & one via the alpaca’s anus. The external probe was used on all but Peppy, as she was full of poop, which blocked viewing her uterus. After removing some of Peppy's poop & re-trying the ultrasound with the anus probe, Cindy still wasn't able to get a clear ultrasound. The day's ultrasound results were all were confirmed pregnant except poopy Peppy! Cindy will try testing Peppy another day.
After finishing the ultrasounds, we lead each female back to the holding pen where the rest of their field-mates were. We started herding them back to field N-9. As we watched the herd skip and run PAST the N-9 gate, we realized we forgot to close a gate at the far end of the road. This thrilled the alpacas from field N-9, as the grass WAS greener (& more abundant) on the other side of the fence. It took another 15-20 min to get them all back in their field.
Visual Quick-References are Key
It was becoming clearer to me with each visit that visual keys are fundamental to maintaining order in a place where so many things go on at once. As I noticed things, Cindy explained:
Halter Identity (hung in the barn with lead ropes attached & sometimes left out on the field fences for convenience)
Red (large, usually grown males)
Blue (medium, usually females or young males)
Red (small, for babies)
The Magnetic White Board (in the barn).
What is increasingly clear to me is that nothing on an alpaca ranch is static. Alpaca names were written on 2" magnetic strips and placed into specific column on a large magnetic white board mounted in the barn. Though details are kept in spreadsheets, the board was an easy way to, at a glance, keep track of
male/female field locations, & breeding status & mates
herd comings (new boarders & purchases) & goings (sales & deliveries), & related field locations
Afternoon Snacks
As usual, we hand mixed & poured snacks to the crias & females into the north fields, & the under-weight crias & nursing females in one south field & in pens by the barn.
Today's Shot Report
Only one shot was given today to a female with a urinary infection.
Shots given last week (48 hours apart) to the three mystery females proved false pregnancy was the case for all three.