Thursday June 14, 2018 We have a new baby!! Thank you Miranda and Silver Lake. A little anxiety got my heart racing in his first few hours of life. This time instead of just sharing the cute baby pics, I’ll tell you the real story. It’s not always easy. This little guy didn’t come to life as quickly as they usually do. For one hour he was barely able to squirm on the ground but not even hold his head up. (I like them to be sternal at 15 minutes and trying to stand at 1 hour.) Oh boy. First thought – karo syrup for a glucose boost. That helped and he did pick his head up. By now the magpies have noticed him, and would love to have some tender baby alpaca meat for lunch. (you don’t want to know what I said to them as I continued to chase them away) I rubbed him briskly with a towel, and he flopped right back down. 2 hours later, no real progress, although he could hold his head up. I figured I’d better try some colostrum. His mom had plenty for him but he needed the strength to stand up and find it! 2 little bottles later and he was standing, trying to walk. By 3.5 hours he had discovered the milk bar, whew. I shudder to think what might have happened if I hadn’t been here. Then the heat seemed to melt him, newborns can’t regulate their body temp for about 3 days. But he recovered once I moved him in the shade of the barn. He’s actually a very good nurser and drains the udder every time he nurses now. He looks great this morning and Ed and I will eventually come up with a name for him. We both have ideas, we just cant seem to agree on any!
Our private tour group this afternoon will be his first official visitors!
Photos of the day: The herd gathers to greet the new arrival, He’s the shiny black thing on the ground in the center. click to enlarge photo.
He is the blackest black!
Looking good in late afternoon, keeping up with mom.
And a very happy ending.
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