Baby, It's Cold Outside

We sheared early this year.  We ususally don't shear until late May or early June, since we can always get a cold spell here until then.  But, when you hire someone to come in, you go by their schedule.  We did 20 of the pacas.  We didn't do the 4 weanlings, since they don't seem to have enough meat on their bones yet, and I'm really glad we didn't.  It was 35 degrees this morning.

Last week we noticed Aristotle was shivering, so I got the blanket out for him.  His mother was the last one to wear this.  He tried to run away from it at first, but is now quite content with it.

Sancho has staked out his place in the barn and won't go outside until the sun comes out.  He's the smart one.

Then there is Chico.  35 degrees and he still wants to play in the water as I wash down the barn.  Makes me cold just thinking about it.

Shearing Day

It takes a crew of 5 people to shear an alpaca. We all have our jobs and know them well, and as long as we keep out of each other's way, everything runs like a well oiled machine. The crew did 27 alpacas today. We have 9 left to finish in the next week or so. Above is the shearing table. It tilts to the side, where we lead an alpaca to stand next to it. Then you close this big pillow on them and tilt the table up, tie down their legs, and clip their halter to the table. They are pretty much imobilized, and the shearer does not kill his back bending over them on the ground, not to mention wear and tear on the knees, if you did it that way.

Here is Alan, trimming toenails.

After being shorn, the first thing the alpaca does is go out and take a dust bath. Here, Abigail and Dolly enjoy a nice long nap in the sun.

And finally, here are the weaner boys. Aren't they cute? I love them when they are newly shorn.

In the background you can see our wheat and barley field. Yep. We are trying it all this year.