OUR SMALL HERD

Our original four boys came from Ardo Alpacas in Aberdeenshire. We are not alpaca breeders and have our boys purely as pets. Our experience is that you don't need to be a breeder and that a 'batchelor herd' can give much pleasure to the owner. We have 5 acres including our big garden and grazing for the boys, 15 miles north of Inverness, Scotland. I spin, knit, felt and crochet with the fleece from the boys.

Clicking!!

Just a reminder that clicking on (most) of the photos will show them greatly enlarged.

Saturday 23 April 2011

Happy Easter everyone!

This is Gully with Fergus behind him.  We've had him for nearly two years and for some time we had to use different creams  and 'Ruggle-it' on his ears, between his front legs and on his belly because of bald patches.  The skin on the inside of his ears in particular was dry and 'crusty' looking.  Now the inside of his ears are nice and hairy and we haven't had to use the cream for some time although we keep checking him.  He's a lovely boy, blue eyes and a bit deaf and  light fawn in colour with long eye lashes.
First thing in the morning and it's chill out time for the boys with their individual piles of haylage  (we're on the last bag!)  They always look totally relaxed like this although Faro, 3rd from left, remains alert with his tail flicked up in recognition of Robbie taking the photo.  Faro is one of those alpacas who is very choosy with his food, will not push and shove in the queue and is easily distracted when eating his supplement.  During the past couple of weeks or so he has decided that he does not want his supplement, taking only a mouthful then carries on grazing, whilst all the other boys empty their dishes.  We're keeping an eye on him and he's had a mineral drench today but he's grazing well and does not seem 'out of sorts.'
Time for a catch pen check-up today and here are, from left, Fergus, Gully and Fyta all with that "Here we go again" look on their faces!  Fergus was not in the mood for nail trimming today although we persevered - only for him to 'cush' continually.  Some days are diamonds etc.......
Same catch pen, same look of resignation!  From left, Fyta, Wee Eck (look at his one tooth showing!) and Gaucho.
And finally..........Pansy Potter lounging around the conservatory.  She's 15yrs of age now so she's ageing gracefully and does tend to sleep a lot.  She keeps her distance from the boys who when they see her are all immediately 'on alert' and run towards her at the fence line.

2 comments:

  1. Happy Easter Shirley, Robbie and all at Tigh Mhor

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  2. Looks like another lovely weekend up there, haven't we been lucky. Happy Easter from Bev and Andy

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