November 2007 - Alpaca Notes

Alpaca Notes - Tasmania

follow this blog subscribe by email

10 followers

200 daily readers

rank of 470

Alpaca Notes - Tasmania - November 2007

A Winner!

November 29th 2007 21:20

One of my babies has won a supreme championship! Our little Penelope (Penny), who we sold with her mum a short while ago, took out the grand prize at a recent alpaca show.

Alpaca - Penelope (Penny)

[ Click here to read more ]

Vote

Comments (6)

Add Comments

[ Link ]

Posted By: Rosemary - Category: Alpaca Care, Breeding

Email this Post to a Friend

The New Maddy

November 28th 2007 00:10

Maddy’s had her very first yearly haircut.

She had a ton of fleece on her (ok, a slight exaggeration, but it was a lot). So she’s looking quite a bit smaller now

[ Click here to read more ]

103

Vote

Comments (9)

Add Comments

[ Link ]

Posted By: Rosemary - Category: Alpaca Care

Email this Post to a Friend

All the alpacas were shorn on Friday. Even ol’ Bob got a professional job this year (I usually just do him with the hand shears).

They were all pretty calm about it, which was a nice change from some years. We had a lady shearer this year. Not sure if there’s something in that or if the alpacas were just having a good day. In any case, they all got a neat job

[ Click here to read more ]

Vote

Comments (4)

Add Comments

[ Link ]

Posted By: Rosemary - Category: Alpaca Care

Email this Post to a Friend

A new fence for the dachies

November 21st 2007 00:32

The fencing guys are here today putting big holes everywhere. We're not doing fencing for the alpacas this time, but for the very spoiled dachshunds who live here. Although it will also mean I can get the alpacas to eat more grass for me (so I don't have to mow it

). Currently, I have to put up a temporary fence when I want the alpacas up near the house.

The fence is going to be treated pine with wire mesh. Something like this one

[ Click here to read more ]

Vote

Comments (6)

Add Comments

[ Link ]

Posted By: Rosemary - Category: Dachshunds

Email this Post to a Friend

Alpaca Hat

November 19th 2007 03:22

My mum spins and knits the fleece from our alpacas. She doesn’t think she’s very good at spinning, but compared to the tangled, knotty bit of rope that I produced when I tried it, her work is pretty professional.

I don’t have enough patience, or interest, to get into handcrafts, so I just look after the animals, and mum can take care of the value adding

[ Click here to read more ]

113

Vote

Comments (9)

Add Comments

[ Link ]

Posted By: Rosemary - Category: Fleece & Wool etc

Email this Post to a Friend

Introducing Madeline

November 15th 2007 21:38

This is Maddy, born on 11 January 07. She has a teddy bear face, which is a very trendy look in alpacas at the moment and absolutely tons of fleece. (The fleeces are coming off next Friday, weather permitting – mental note to self : Must clean out the shed!)

Madeline - 22 October 07

[ Click here to read more ]

Vote

Comments (8)

Add Comments

[ Link ]

Posted By: Rosemary - Category: Alpaca Care, Breeding

Email this Post to a Friend

Up close and personal

November 13th 2007 22:01

Alpacas are curious but cautious animals. They are very flighty and it can take a long time to earn their trust. They are not naturally cuddly, affectionate animals (despite their appearance).

However, once you become familiar to your alpacas and they know that you won’t harm them, they lighten up and over time they can become quite tame and friendly

[ Click here to read more ]

Vote

Comments (4)

Add Comments

[ Link ]

Posted By: Rosemary - Category: Alpaca Care

Email this Post to a Friend

Alpaca Roll

November 12th 2007 04:33

Not an alternative to the traditional steak sandwich or sausage in bread, although alpacas are made of meat same as every other animal. This roll is actually of the physical exercise variety.

Alpacas having a roll

[ Click here to read more ]

101

Vote

Comments (10)

Add Comments

[ Link ]

Posted By: Rosemary - Category: Alpaca Care

Email this Post to a Friend

Have you shot your alpaca today?

November 8th 2007 21:59

Yes, I have had a couple of animals here, over the years, who I’ve thought about sending to heaven. But on this occasion I’m talking about taking photos, not pot shots.

When it comes to taking photos of alpacas, all I can say is, thank goodness for digital cameras. With a digital, you can take a thousand shots and if you get one good one, you haven’t wasted a pile of money processing all the duds

[ Click here to read more ]

Vote

Comments (5)

Add Comments

[ Link ]

Posted By: Rosemary - Category: Just Rambling

Email this Post to a Friend

Spit Off!

November 7th 2007 03:06

I did a ‘spit off’ with the alpacas yesterday. This is a method of determining if a female alpaca could be pregnant. It’s called a ‘spit off’ because a female alpaca will spit off a male if she’s pregnant.

It’s a bit hit and miss, but since we’re not relying on our girls producing crias (babies) for our income, this method suits us. It’s also free, unlike other methods such as ultrasounds and blood tests

[ Click here to read more ]

102

Vote

Comments (11)

Add Comments

[ Link ]

Posted By: Rosemary - Category: Breeding

Email this Post to a Friend

Ol’ Bob.

November 4th 2007 22:15

I’d like to introduce you to Ol’ Bob, otherwise known as Bob, Bobtail, Bobby or Mr. Tail.

Alpaca - Ol' Bob

[ Click here to read more ]

Vote

Comments (5)

Add Comments

[ Link ]

Posted By: Rosemary - Category: Alpaca Care

Email this Post to a Friend

Still FLASHING!

November 1st 2007 23:06

They say (whoever "they" are), that keeping your mind active is the key to a long and healthy life. Now, apart from a few very basic care requirements, there’s not that much to do with alpacas except watch them eat grass. It's hardly mind challenging stuff.

So, for fun and to give my brain the occasional workout, I’ve been having a play with Flash

[ Click here to read more ]

Vote

Comments (6)

Add Comments

[ Link ]

Posted By: Rosemary - Category: Just Rambling, Working From Home

Email this Post to a Friend

December 2009

2 Posts

November 2009

3 Posts

August 2009