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Questions From Readers Young Llama Males, Open Females and Weaning After reading
your articles on weaning I
have decided to commit to
allowing my llamas to wean
their babies. I have
2 male crias, one 5 months
and the other 1 month. I will
geld the male who is now 1
month old, but would like
to wait and show the 2nd male
in April. My question
is can I allow the older male
to remain with the female
herd [open moms and daughters]
while his mother weans him? Or
do I have to move both mom
and son away from the main
herd? This seems Answer Hi Mary, Thanks for your note. While I, too, am committed to allowing my llamas and alpacas to wean their own babies, it is important to consider each situation specifically. Llama and alpaca boys are the difficult ones for natural weaning, as they will usually need to remain within the female herd. The specific dynamics and set up for each herd is different as is the individual make up of each animal. Each instance needs to be assessed individually. I would feel that at 5 and 1 month, though perhaps possible, the chances of them impregnating a grown female right now is slight. By April, however, the older one will be a yearling. The chances begin to increase as each month passes. Much depends on the social, mental and physical attitude of the male. Some are not at all interested at a year while some are trying out their breeding skills by 6 months. You would have to evaluate his specific behavior and even then, you cannot be 100% sure that you have seen everything! I believe it is important, if possible, that both the baby males have the opportunity to play and learn together. Rather than remove the older boy and his mom away from the main herd, is it possible to divide the herd in such a way that at the very least the two moms and their baby boys are together? Are there any females in the main herd that are already pregnant or can't get pregnant? Perhaps you might be able to make a little larger separate group. I agree that isolating a single mom and her baby feels drastic and hopefully, there might be another alternative. Isolation would seem to place a great deal of hardship on that mom. I understand that there are open females and daughters but maybe you can create a separate little herd with at least those two moms and their babies. I believe that would allow for overall better emotional health for all concerned -- you, included! As time goes on, you will need to be mindful of the male activity even in that small separate group. It is possible that they might breed the moms if the moms remain open. An additional consideration with natural weaning is the experience of the mom. On occasion, first time moms and even older moms who have never had the opportunity to self wean their own babies are not sure of the process. They will sometimes allow the baby to nurse for years! I am sorry that I cannot be absolute in answering your query. That's the thing about behavior! There are many variables to consider overall as well as things specific to any one herd group and/or individual animal. I encourage you to use your intuitions and best judgment on how to proceed. It will serve you well. Wishing you the best, Cathy
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