Pages


Saturday 11 July 2009

BEW Alpaca


Blue eyed white (BEW) alpacas remain one of the most controversial subjects in the alpaca industry. Those who don't own any, rarely understand the facts about them. Those who own them, generally, don't have a problem and often refer to them as their favorite alpacas or a favorite of farm visitors.
BEW's come from the breeding of two animals that each carry the white spot gene and the BEW allele variant of that gene. White-spot genes are found in white faced, tuxedo, white legs, pinto or virtually any alpaca with as little as a few white hairs as well as grey alpacas. That is a whole lot of animals!
The pairing of two alpacas with white or grey markings bring a one in four (1-4) chance of a BEW birth. However, the mating of one of these animals with a solid colored animal, should not get a BEW cria. Selective breeding is something all farms should practice.


I (Leo) think is not controversiel to breed with thes BEW's. For example: If you take the Australian shepherd. Merle x merle is not done. You get 25 % of deaf/lethal pups. In alpacas it is the same... DON'T GO FOR BEW SIRE X BEW MARE!!! ALWAYS USE A SOLID COLOR. BEW sires should not be used.

It is an utopia to think we can remove / decrease this "genentic disorder" out of our the population of alpacas worldwide..., because any animal with some with hairs could be a carrier for this gen.


Many greetings,


Leo van Merwijk


Clik here for a good scientific article about BEW alpacas:




alpaca-vet@alpacasofthelowlands.com

2 comments:

  1. Hi Leo

    Greetings from Scotland - not too far away! I will be reading your blog with interest. There is a lively scene here in the UK - feel free to join in with our blog circle!

    Lucy
    coirealpacas.co.uk
    coirealpacas.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Leo,

    Welcome to our little alpaca blog world, great to have a vet on board.

    Mark

    Patou alpacas

    ReplyDelete

Healthproblems or buying alpacas? Ask us - FREE ADVICE!

Our adress:

Bata4en - Animal Clinic
Enggraaf 22 - 24
4175 ER Haaften
0031 (0) 418 – 591302 (monday to friday)

0031 (0) 6 - 51164000 (cellphone - weekends)

You can reach us by email info@bata4en.nl

See you on facebook...

See you on facebook...
Click on the facebook logo