We Have Rain! April 22, 2006

I can report that we are all extremely happy to be in a rain pattern finally! Yes, it does create a challenge or two around the farm but when faced with wells running dry later in the summer these challenges are not important at all!

Luckily, we have pretty much finished shearing for this year. It did not go very well and was our first solo. Seemed to take forever. The experience has caused us to regret having purchased clippers and not shears. And, the fact that we had most of our blades engraved with our name will certainly make selling off this equipment a bit more difficult!

The clippers seemed like a great idea last year. We had attended a shearing seminar and our son Doug did an outstanding job on his first two alpacas- Snowman and Angus. He used clippers as the look of shears is so forbidding. Clippers are meant more for new people like us and for touch up work I guess. The shears, which have combs and cutters as opposed to blades, look like some kind of torture tool and made us immediately see ourselves having to stitch up hides! They are what the professionals use- they are what anyone past their first year probably use!!!!

Anyway, we did find that Valerian works wonderfully on alpacas! Two years ago I had purchased it in anticipation of shearing our first year. Of course, as is often a habit of mine, I forgot that I had it and did not use it. Well, knowing ahead of time that we would also be nervous this year, I decided that it would be a great idea to try it. I read on one of the forum sites that it worked very well and could be used for pregnant alpacas with no trouble. Now it will become a staple in the shearing kit. Until we get shearing down to ten minutes per alpaca at least!

Along with our shearing being over comes the task of dealing with these bags of fiber! One of the little things that one doesn't take into consideration prior to getting involved with alpacas. In our case, our home is a small ranch- no attic- no basement. In other words- NO ROOM! Until I get things sorted out we are now 'down' one room as well! The dining room is piled high with bags.

This will be the year I learn to spin though. I have had an electric spinner since we first got into the business- actually included that and the roving carder into our start-up expenses. Had I not become so involved in associations I am sure I would be a lot further along in the processing of my own fiber! That has to be the reason- it couldn't be that I am scared to even wash my fiber! I have decided that this will be the year... Needless to say I hope that I learn quickly. I will post my progress...

Until the next time!

Sue

April 11, 2006

It's been busy around our place! Spring has sprung with all of the chores associated with the season. The crias are all growing so nicely!

Friar Tuck and The Sheriff are almost yearlings now- hard to believe. Archer will be six months old on the 25th of this month and little KampBell a month old a week from tomorrow.

We took Friar Tuck, The Sheriff, Archer and Kampbell to be shorn yesterday at a friends farm. Doug, my son, and I are shearing this year for ourselves and others but I wanted to get the babies professionally done since we will be showing them all. We will be doing the rest of the shearing this weekend.

We aren't too worried about the females and have some happy juice for Angus so we should be all set with him as well. As far as our llama goes.... well, that is a whole other story. There is no way we will wrestle Big Dude to the ground and Doug does not want to use the clippers on him. That leaves me with him in the chute and me using the hand shears. I think I had better buy stock in BandAid brand of bandaids! It's not that he's difficult. It's just me that is not too keen about doing anything that may not please all 355 pounds of him! (You should see toe nail trimming!- Now that is fun!)

The girls will be very happy to have their fleece removed. I have been spraying their bellies and they love it. Once we get the fleece off we will get a couple of pools for them. Clara will claim the ladies pool for sure. She actually will stand next to it and stare at the house until I refill it each day. She will also quite happily step in any bucket that is left on the ground- doesn't matter that it was intended for them to drink!

We behavior tested Whitney today and she spit Angus off! That is always exciting for us humans. So did Clara and that is actually a bit disappointing. We thought she had taken late last fall but after having her ultrasounded two weeks ago we found she was still open. She does seem to think that she is pregnant though so she may have a retained CL. Looks like we will need to start her on some Estrumate to get her cycling again. I do hope that we will be able to achieve a pregnancy in her this spring for a delivery next spring. I am not terribly disappointed that she is open now since she is eleven years old and just recently had two back to back pregnancies. A break is good and she deserves it.

Well, guess that is it for today. Until the next time!