Cria alpaca body weight and perinatal survival in relation to age of the dam

Abstract The present study with alpacas determined effect of dam's age on body weight and survival of cria during the first week of life. Pregnant dams ( n  = 424) and their crias were used in the study. Cria body weight (kg) was determined at time of placenta expulsion. Placenta weight and larger width were measured immediately after expulsion. Crias were monitored for the first week and a necropsy was performed if death occurred. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance. The body weight of crias at birth, the weight, and the largest width of placenta increased with age of the dam ( P P P P