Gabby

Ten cria have been born this year at Alpaca Sigdal and next year we are expecting 19! Unfortunately Bella aborted, but she is doing fine and is already expecting again. All of the births went well except for one. Nightingale went into labor without any contractions. She was calm but obviously not comfortable. At 7:30 am I saw a small water bag hanging out of her. I didn’t want to alarm her so I let her be and returned after a half an hour. Nothing more had happened and I began to worry. Another 30 minutes passed without progression so I realized that a call to our veterinarian was necessary. Else Randi came in a hurry and after a quick examination confirmed that the cria was not in position. Help was needed, I held in front and Else Randi went to work to try to locate and position the little thing. An entire hour passed and Nightingale wanted to lay down so we had to get more help to keep her on her feet. Finally with the head in the correct position Else Randi managed with great precision to fasten a loop behind the ears and through the mouth of the soon to be born cria. By tightening the loop Else Randi managed to pull little Gabby out, and she was full of life! Our miracle cria weighed 7,3 kilos and was more than anxious to practice the art of standing. Gabby is our first multi-colored cria. After the exciting and successful birth, Else Randi is the Godmother to an energetic young maiden. I am so thankful for our positive, calm and very talented vet, who was there when I needed her! Nightingale is a good mom and Gabby is growing according to schedule.

Jemma

Jemma is a smart alpaca and very contact-seeking. She was imported fromNew Zealandin 2009.  She was born March 2, 2007; her dam is fromNew Zealandand her sire fromPeru.  Jemma likes to greet everyone that visits the herd, both human and animal. She is curious and will investigate buckets or whatever you have in your hand. She has a dominating personality and is happy and content. She is friendly but expects to be treated with respect and consideration. Jemma appears to be quite content here in Vikedal.

Rosalita

Rosalita is the first alpaca born inNorwayafter we started with import and breeding in this country. She was only 14 days old when we first met her, and we knew she had to be a part of our herd. She is undoubtedly part of the reason that we decided to run theses exotic animals here on our farm. She arrived in November of 2005 accompanied by four other alpacas and we were thrilled. But we became quite concerned when we discovered that she wasn’t growing as she should. After special attention and lots of worries, she finally started putting on weight two months after arrival.  From then on, everything has gone as it should. Now she has given us two beautiful progeny and is still the gem of our herd.

Ceasar

Dear little Ceasarboy.

It was a beautiful summer day, the 27th of July when we first met. You were born on our own son, Vemund’s birthday, so you were a special gift to the whole family. Black as night with huge black eyes, you lay there and study the new world around you. Up on your feet, like ‘Bambi on ice’. You wobble on your long, thin legs and try to keep up with Mom. Eventually after a few tumbles and stumbles to your knees you are on your way. It is ever fascinating each new cria that is born, watching the instinct of survival. You search and explore as your patient and proud Mom observes. Clarissa stands supportive and strong, lets you try, watches as you trip in front, under and between her long legs. You take an extra step, quick catch your balance oops, you fall again, and again, and again. Finally you discover that if you lift your head, all the way back, a little farther, there’s the right spot! Alpacas teats aren’t large, but once you discover that little thing there, suckle a little, that’s right. That tastes great! An alpaca has four teats, and you taste a little from each.Just an hour ago you abandoned the warmth and safety of you Mothers womb, managed to climb up on our long, thin legs, went on an exhibition to find your new source of nourishment, that’s quite a feat. Exhausted yet satisfied you attempt a landing. You’re not quite sure how it should be done, but you got there somehow.Pull your legs up under your stomach and close your eyes. Sleep well. But your head, it looks so heavy, your long neck doesn’t make the matter easier. Slowly you head glides backwards, and up again, down and up until you find a better solution. Wrap you head around to you tail, there, you found your pillow. You deserve a nap. Welcome to our world dear little Ceasar.

Tierce

Our best boy Tierce was just one year old when we purchased him inAustraliain 2006. He was born near Adelaideon the farm of EP Cambridge. Tierce was chosen especially for our herd because of the qualities he has inherited from his sire, Jolimont Commisario. But it took time for him to finally arrive here in Hornindal. A year after purchase he travelled toEnglandwith other stud males. He had to remain there seven months because of an outbreak of foot and mouth disease. Finally in February 2008 he took the ferry fromNewcastletoBergenwith five other alpacas. Three of them were ours, Cup Cake, Avon Vita and Papillon. The other two continued their trip by road toFinland. Tierce has settled in quite well here on the farm in Hornindal. He takes his job as stud male very seriously, yet he is the sweetest alpaca of them all! He enjoys going for walks and keeping a close eye on his herd. He has numerous qualities that will be bred to his progeny. He is sweet as a lamb, he has a solid bone structure and most important he has a fine, bright fleece with an incredible density.

Chadeaux

Chadeaux came to us from New Zealandin 2009 and was one of the dams that was pregnant upon arrival in Norway. She was born February 1, 2007 and is a large, black alpaca. Her due date was around November 10^th, so I become quite concerned when I saw a birth taking place October 20^th. We hoped that the due date was wrong and that everything was normal, but it wasn’t. Her little girl was dead at birth. Chadeaux was calm during and after the birth, but didn’t understand why the little cria didn’t respond to her ‘humming’. We allowed her the time she needed to understand that she would not get any response and finally Chadeaux returned to the rest of the herd. It was obvious that she was in mourning, she just stood there. It was just as painful for us watching her. The next day I saw her allowing another cria to suckle, a white litte boy named Fritjof. He had been offered the best colostrum from his ‘aunt’ and she stood proud with the instinct of a mother. Nicholas also found his ‘aunt’ Chadeaux nice enough to share. So she’s now supplementing them both. The boys’ moms, Fredrikke and Nadia accept the situation and appreciate the assistance. So the story has an alternative happy ending after all!