How can I check to see if my alpaca is ready to have her cria?

Ranchers also check to see if her udder is filling with milk or her abdomen has dropped. Most knowledgeable owners recognize the physical changes in an expectant alpaca's body when it's getting close to the time for her to have her cria.

Unless the rancher is really worried about a particular mother, they'll often tell you that the best thing you can do is just leave them alone.

I know this first hand. You see, some shy birthing alpacas can actually stop their labor if they don't want humans watching!