The worst thing that can happen to the young alpaca is weaning time. Yesterday morning we separated the young males out from the rest of the "moms and babies" herd and put them in their new field. At first, they thought they were in summer camp. They played and ate the fresh grass, thinking life was great. But later in the day, the realization hit. "Where's my mommy?" Up until this point, life couldn't have been better. Now all of a sudden, nothing is the same. I personally hate this. The boys never get to be with their moms again. We waited so long to wean this year, due to space issues, that the young girls have already been weaned by their mothers, so they get to stay with them. It will be about 10 days before they really forget and quit fretting. Every time we go out there, they will look at us beseechingly. "You've made a mistake! I know you didn't mean to do this."
In the meantime, the mothers might look for their babies for a day, but for the most part. . . . .they are just plain relieved!
The youngsters will stay in this field until they are about a year old, or more, and can be mainstreamed into the bachelor herd.
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Oh......now you are making me sad!
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