Driwind Farms
ARI Registered Alpacas
Millie's Milk Formula
Some notes of importance . . . . they might seem obvious, but sometimes we all need "obvious" reminders.
1.) Make a chart noting date, time of day, how much cria drank, and anything/everything else even if it seems of vague importance (weight, less urine, beans clumped, sleeping more, etc.) This will become a very important reference diary over the next few months.
2.) Each time you mix a new batch of formula, make a note in the chart.
3.) If cria gets a vaccination, make a note of what was given, time given, how administered.
4.) If cria is lethargic and you give some Karo (light) syrup, make a note of when, how much, and response.
5.) After every feeding be sure to wash and rinse bottle and nipple thoroughly. Be sure to wash out the little clump of souring milk that will form in the tip of the nipple. Be sure to rinse well; soap causes diarrhea.
6.) Warm the milk (in cria's bottle) in water bath, not in the microwave or directly on stove.
7.) Use a candy thermometer to confirm that milk's temperature does not exceed 105°F.
8.) Always prepare a little more than you expect cria to drink.
The Formula -
In large (gallon-sized) container, mix . . .
1/2 cup powdered milk, dissolved to thick slurry consistency with small amount of water
10 cups of homogenized cows' milk with Vitamin D
3 cups of Half-and-Half
2/3 cup of plain yogurt with active bacteria/culture. Do not use either low or no fat variety.
Gently mix continuously as you add ingredients.
Store in refrigerator.
Be sure to shake well each time before pouring into bottle.
Millie was fed as much as she would take every two hours for the first 6 to 8 weeks. Then I slowly lengthened the time between feedings to every three hours. Eventually she began going as long as four hours between feedings but I always let her tell me. And I always had more milk ready to give her than she would take.
At about 3 or 4 weeks, Millie was nibbling on dried weed leaves but she wasn't really eating them. At 10 weeks I started giving her some alfalfa in her pen in the house. By 12 weeks I was giving her some cria pellets but she spent more time playing with them than actually eating them. She did eat the alfalfa leaves.
In judging your cria's amounts and timing, please remember that Millie was 4 pounds at birth. Most crias will take considerably more formula than Millie did and should start to wean off the bottle at an earlier age.
If you have any questions and/or I can be of further assistance please do not hesitate to call me.
Cinda Young
915-276-1827
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