It's always difficult making the right breeding decisions - it helps if you've had a really good result with a pair before, but often when you need to do a mating the previous cria isn't old enough to really see what you have and so you plan as best you can to get the best results for maximum improvement and genetic gain. Sometimes it's a matter of experimenting and having a bit of fun at the same time - often it pays off - and if they don't, well then you have a nice pet alpaca!
We're really thrilled with our Snowmass studs, they've had a massive impact on our herd and we will definitely be repeating a lot of our breedings, but also trying the different Snowmass boys over females to see what they produce. Not wanting to wish time away, but I am so looking forward to seeing the results of generations of Snowmass breedings in our herd - if only I had a crystal ball.
Of course we have our own gorgeous grey male Ardingly, who has more than proved himself with his cria, and I'm going to put him over our black females this year. Also young Bonami, who is our Tulaco Centurion fawn boy who is working like a real pro in his first breeding season and today he got a bit of action with Cotton Cake, who is Ardingly's mum - that should be a very interesting result!
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| This is Alfie who is a Snowmass Royal Vision cria and we will be repeating that one for sure! |
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| Agent - 007 another Royal Vision and another repeat mating I think |
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| Calico, who has produced two very nice cria with Snowmass Quetzalcoatl, this time we're trying Snowmass Royal Vision |
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| Bonami loving Cotton Cake and not the least bit deterred by Royal Vision working next to him or the rain - thankfully! |
It's so exciting at this time of the year making all the mating decisions...we are doing the same at the moment...such a shame we have to wait so long for the results!
ReplyDeleteBonami is a fabulous colour...no wonder that Cotton cake looks content!