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Wonder-Bred
27 Posts |
 Posted - 01/28/2012 : 1:55:30 PM
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Just curious what your average cria weighs at 3 months old? We are bottle-feeding a cria and want to get an idea of around where his weight should be. Thanks!
Asa & Melissa Lake
Wonder-Bred Alpaca Ranch
Tustin, MI
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highpeaksalpacas
1291 Posts |
Posted - 01/28/2012 : 2:04:40 PM
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We look for our cria to approximately double their weight at 30 days old... then they usually gain at least .4 a day after that. They all grow at different rates..so I do not think there is a right weight. If you are feeding your cria enough...it should be gaining weight every day. Remainng at a constant weight or losing is not good.
How much did yours weigh at birth and how much does it weigh now?? How much do you feed it each day via bottle??? Is it showing interest in grain and/or hay??
Debbie Potter
High Peaks Alpacas
Wilmington, NY
www.alpacanation.com/highpeaks.asp
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Wonder-Bred
27 Posts |
Posted - 01/28/2012 : 2:51:37 PM
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He was 19 lbs. at birth and is now 40.4 lbs at 3 months old. He did have a few setbacks that I'm sure stressed him out. His mom died suddenly when he was five weeks old and he was about 28 lbs. at that time. He then got a bad cut to his front leg and needed antibiotics, staples, and dressing changes. He had diarrhea and his weight was at a standstill for a little while after the antibiotics. He eats really well, we feed him 16-20 oz. at least three times a day and has started chowing his grain in the last week or so. He's been eating hay and we're pretty sure he drinks water too. We know that he is small for his age but he seems healthy and runs and plays with the other crias.
Asa & Melissa Lake
Wonder-Bred Alpaca Ranch
Tustin, MI |
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ard
1665 Posts |
Posted - 01/28/2012 : 4:57:31 PM
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He may be a little under weight, but I think that if he is eating and putting on weight at a regular rate, he will be just fine. We once purchased and 8 month old cria who weight 37 pounds when he arrived at our farm. He was a little slow at first, but turned out to be one of our better herdsires when he finished growing. It sounds like both you and he are doing a good job.
Robin Alpert
Alpacas 'R Diamonds
15163 W 323rd
Paola, KS 66071
913-849-3738
www.alpacanation.com/alpacasrdiamonds.asp, www.alpacastreet.com/alpacasrdiamonds.asp
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highpeaksalpacas
1291 Posts |
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rackapaca
634 Posts |
Posted - 01/30/2012 : 12:56:53 PM
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Fabulous Job -- mine usually come in around 45-50 at 3 months but with some set backs I think yours is doing fine. I did buy a girl who was underweight at 8 months and only 46 pounds but I have more than doubled her weight in 6 months so far doing fine.
Ruthann
Racka Paca Ranch
Kila, MT |
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Wonder-Bred
27 Posts |
Posted - 01/30/2012 : 7:09:26 PM
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Thanks for all of the positive comments! I feel better knowing that other "alpaca people" think he sounds ok. I didn't mention that I also had a baby in November so it has been a bit of a challenge with two nursing babies! 
Melissa Lake
Wonder-Bred Alpaca Ranch
Tustin, MI |
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ard
1665 Posts |
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Wonder-Bred
27 Posts |
Posted - 05/08/2012 : 6:33:14 PM
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I just thought I'd post an update about our bottle-fed orphan cria, Oliver. He is doing great and took first place and reserve color champ at his first show last weekend at just six monhs old! We have high hopes for this little guy! Thanks again for all the comments!
Melissa Lake
Wonder-Bred Alpaca Ranbch
Tustin, MI |
Edited by - Wonder-Bred on 05/08/2012 6:34:06 PM |
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highpeaksalpacas
1291 Posts |
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3 month old cria
