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Saturday, September 24, 2011

Another new cria at Split Rock Ranch -

Yesterday was a great day here at Split Rock Ranch. Yesterday morning I discovered the very first freshly laid egg by one of our Rhode Island Red hens! She was soooo proud of that egg!

After doing chores and while I was filling water tanks, I noticed that one of our females, Chalcedony, was laying by herself off in "the birthing corner". I observed her getting up and trying to poop but not much came out. Then she would go lay down and roll to her side for awhile and then back up. Then she would stand and act like she was trying to poop again. I knew she was in labor. I came into the house to get towels and the "birthing bag" that contains iodine for the umbilical cord, etc. I was going to come back in and grab the camera but by the time I got back out to check on her the nose was already presenting so I just got some of the other female llamas moved to another pasture to give Chalcedony some space. Soon the front legs and head were out and I just went up and wrapped a towel around the baby and caught it as she was dropping to the ground. I was thrilled - it is a girl!

 Above: Newborn cria with her Dam

We picked up the cria (baby llama) and moved her over to a small area where we always put the new moms with their babies so they can bond and nobody will step on the new baby that way. We caught Chalcedony and put her in with the baby and gave her a bucket of water, some hay and some grain.

Here is a video of the brand new baby.


And here is a photo of the little girl today.

And a close-up

We haven't decided on a name yet. We are considering Onyx, Obsidian, and Ebony. Onyx and Obsidian are related to Chalcedony and are both black substances.

But since she was born on the first day of Fall, the Autumnal Equinox, we are also considering Autumn.

7 comments:

Katherine said...

AWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!! How wonderful! How long before they get up to nurse? What a beautiful baby. I love all the names, but after you mentioned the Autumnal Equinox, I thought that Autumn was simply perfect. :)

brokenteepee said...

Oh she's precious. I say go with a gemstone name heh

Summer at sparklecat.com said...

Whatever you decide to name her, she is beautiful!

Rose Clearfield said...

She is beautiful! Congrats.

Lin said...

Oh, she is soooo pretty! How exciting to have a new baby on the farm. :)

Janet at New Moon Glass said...

Too too cute!

Split Rock Ranch said...

Katherine: They are usually up trying to nurse within an hour of birth. This little girl was not a vigorous at first as our first two crias this year but now she's up and running. I'm considering calling her Autumn Shadow.

Pricilla: If I decide to call her a gemstone name (because she really is precious!) I will use Onyx or Obsidian. Perhaps Autumn Onyx or Autumn Obsidian.

Sparkle: Thank you!

Randomcreative: Thank you!

Lin: Thanks! We are so excited about all our crias this year! We haven't had babies here for three years now and we've really missed them.

Janet: Thank you!