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After field breeding sheep for 17 years, with up to 13 males in 13 different pastures, we felt well-versed in the advantages and disadvantages of field breeding. In a field breeding situation, the needs of an individual are secondary to the needs of the group, and even with the best management, some individuals' reproductive abilities will be compromised. In sheep, as with alpacas in Peru, the females and an occasional male are simply culled (i.e. sent to slaughter). With the value of each alpaca we wanted to do everything possible to ensure maximum reproductive efficiency and lifespan. Additionally, we felt that hand breeding would allow us to make pasture divisions based on optimal managerial and nutritional conditions; with maidens, lactating dams with crias and non-lactating females pastured separately. Hand breeding would also allow the development of a "breeding blueprint" for each individual. We enlisted the help of our veterinarian to help formulate a plan appropriate for the unique induced ovulation cyclicity of alpacas. Together, Dr. Neely and I have developed the following breeding management program.

Our program for multiparious females begins at 10 days post-partum when they are examined by Dr. Neely. Based on his findings, we determine when to start breeding, generally 14 to 21 days post-partum. Starting at about seven days post-partum, I begin behavior testing females daily for receptive (R) or non-receptive (NR) behavior. We use an older breeding male or our vasectomized male for this purpose. The behavior of each female is recorded in her records. Females are not bred until the second or third day of receptivity and then they are only bred once. We have had excellent conception rates with only one breeding.

The maiden females are not rushed or forced. Since all breeding occurs in the female barn or paddocks, maiden females observe all breedings. I initiate behavior testing when maidens have reached approximately 70% of their adult weight. When they kush next to a breeding pair, breeding efforts can be initiated. Prior to breeding, fiber is trimmed from the perineal area and tail. If they are "show girls," the tail fiber is wrapped to avoid heavy trimming.

After breeding, we continue to behavior test. Once females NR for 19 to 21 days post-breeding, we verify pregnancy by ultrasound. I continue to check behavior on these females once a week until about 60 days (the end of the high risk period for early embryonic loss), when we reverify prenancy status by ultrasound. Females are "teased" monthly by leading a male through the female paddocks to ensure no one has returned to receptivity and lost the pregnancy.

With this management program, conception dates are known and a due date can be predicted. The data we've kept shows a pattern of similar gestational lengths for each female. We find this data very helpful and greatly appreciated by our customers.

The benefits of involving Dr. Neely in our breeding program have offset the costs. With regular post-partum exams, conditions such as birthing traumas, cervical lacerations, or infections may be observed, allowing early treatment and rapid rebreeding. The use of ultrasound has allowed us to definitely determine and monitor pregnancy status; thus lost time due to open females is minimal. We have learned one breeding, if correctly timed, is sufficient. This reduces unnecessary female intrauterine exposure and allows greater use of our males.

New females are not subjected to the aggressive male behavior commonly observed when a new female is introduced into a pasture breeding situation. This is especially nice for maidens and outside females coming in to be bred.

Our males have also benefitted from this program by decreasing the likelihood of an injury and allowing changes in male fertility status to be rapidly ascertained. The extra time spent handling our males has been a real bonus. It has allowed us to get to know them, their behavior and personality as well as observe their health status regularly.

For us, the advantages of hand breeding far outweigh the extra time, as it is time well-spent observing individual females and interacting with our herdsires. I have been able to customize a breeding plan for each animal, and thus have moved more quickly towards realizing our breeding goals. Our knowledge of alpaca reproduction has increased tremendously as a result of our team efforts with Dr. Neely. But most of all, it gives me another reason to spend time with the animals I love!

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