User Entered Trait Data
These traits are entered by the alpaca owner. All other fleece traits must be sent to AOA directly from an authorized fiber testing lab. Instructions on submitting fiber samples for testing can be found in the article How to Participate in the EPD Program.
Birth Weight
Allow cria to dry completely (or dry it via a warm/hot air dryer) and weigh as soon after birth as possible, but no later than 12 hours. Report weight in units of pounds and tenths of pounds.
Weaning Weight
Weigh cria on day of weaning (or final weaning if a process is followed). Report weight in units of pounds and tenths of pounds. Record the date the weight was taken.
Birthing Ease
Record your observations on birthing ease of the female. This is somewhat subjective but should fit into the following categories.
Birthing Ease Table | |
Degree of Difficulty |
Birthing Ease Score |
No Problem (or unobserved) | 1 |
Slight Problem | 2 |
Needed Assistance | 3 |
Considerable Force | 4 |
Extreme Difficulty | 5 |
Birthing ease scores should be assigned using the scale given in the table. Most farms will have far more births that receive scores of 1 and 2 than births that receive scores of 3, 4, and 5. If a female births normally without anyone noticing (or assisting), the birth should typically be scored as one. If a cesarean section is needed, the birth should be scored as five. It’s best if the person who actually supervises the birthing assigns the birthing ease scores. For purposes of genetic evaluation, birthing ease scores are divided into two categories: Scores of 1, 2, and 3 indicate relatively easy births; and categories 4 and 5 indicate difficult births. Twin births are excluded from the genetic analysis.
Sheared Fleece Weight
Report complete weight of fleece. This may be done by weighing the shorn fleece in bags following shearing. This is a total fleece weight and is understood not to reflect a total usable fleece and may be skewed somewhat by the extent to which shearing of legs is done.