A day at the hairdresser
November 25th 2007 22:03
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.
Shearing is a pretty stressful experience for alpacas, there’s no doubt about that. The shears are very noisy and being restrained is naturally scary for prey animals. You have to wonder what’s going through their minds while their coats are being cut away from them.
I imagine, it’s something along the lines of “This is it, I’m being killed now”. They do give you the strangest look when you let them up and they realise they’re still alive and free to go. Some just lie there, others jump to their feet but stand and look around for a few moments, before eventually trotting back to the others.
There are various methods of shearing alpacas. Some shearers do them like sheep, but alpacas are pretty strong animals and those long legs and necks makes them tricky to hold and control.
When I’ve shorn them, I've done them standing. I put the halter on and tie them loosely to a fence post. They can still move around but they can’t go too far. This only works with fairly calm natured animals. If the alpaca isn’t halter trained, or if he’s just thrashing about trying to get away, it’s impossible to shear them that way.
For a professional job, they are laid down on their side and stretched out with ropes on each foot. This is probably the quickest way to get them done and the safest way for the more nervous ones. If they do decide to thrash about, they can’t hurt themselves and you can calm them down quickly by putting your hands on the bit they’re throwing about (legs, neck, whatever). They quickly realise they’re not going anywhere and lie still again.
I think it will be a warm summer, so they're probably happy to have those big, heavy coats off. They all got a nice pile of lucerne hay afterwards, for being so good.
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.
Alpaca stretched out ready to start
Shearing is a pretty stressful experience for alpacas, there’s no doubt about that. The shears are very noisy and being restrained is naturally scary for prey animals. You have to wonder what’s going through their minds while their coats are being cut away from them.
Alpaca being shorn
I imagine, it’s something along the lines of “This is it, I’m being killed now”. They do give you the strangest look when you let them up and they realise they’re still alive and free to go. Some just lie there, others jump to their feet but stand and look around for a few moments, before eventually trotting back to the others.
There are various methods of shearing alpacas. Some shearers do them like sheep, but alpacas are pretty strong animals and those long legs and necks makes them tricky to hold and control.
When I’ve shorn them, I've done them standing. I put the halter on and tie them loosely to a fence post. They can still move around but they can’t go too far. This only works with fairly calm natured animals. If the alpaca isn’t halter trained, or if he’s just thrashing about trying to get away, it’s impossible to shear them that way.
Alpaca shearing, nearly done
For a professional job, they are laid down on their side and stretched out with ropes on each foot. This is probably the quickest way to get them done and the safest way for the more nervous ones. If they do decide to thrash about, they can’t hurt themselves and you can calm them down quickly by putting your hands on the bit they’re throwing about (legs, neck, whatever). They quickly realise they’re not going anywhere and lie still again.
I think it will be a warm summer, so they're probably happy to have those big, heavy coats off. They all got a nice pile of lucerne hay afterwards, for being so good.
Alpaca, showing off new haircut
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Comment by katyzzz
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Comment by Rosemary
Alpaca Notes - Tasmania
We didn't take all their clothes away. The shearer has an attachment for the shears which leaves a small amount of fleece on. So they've all just got short back and sides. We also just trim their head and tail.
They're looking quite content out there today. I've been telling them all how lovely they look.
Comment by JoH
Persistent Parent
That's certainly a crew cut, if ever I saw one! They do look very cute bald! I am very partial to the clean cut look - maybe Mr. 24 months should visit your barber? He could do with having his legs roped while the 'procedure' takes place!
Comment by Rosemary
Alpaca Notes - Tasmania
It's funny, some people like them with fleece and hate them shorn. Other's like the just shorn look better. I think they look fine both ways. Thing about shearing though, I can now see which girls might have babies in there. Little bumps, very subtle but they're there. Cheers.