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.

Sunday 25 September 2011

Queue jumper!

It's been a wet week but this morning dawned bright, and a bit chilly and autumnal.  Not the sort of morning for midges and beasties to be flying around, but they were about - and the boys knew it.  When the beasties are about the boys either use the water trays, the sand pits or the back of the shelter - or a combination of all three, to get out of their way.   Fyta was first to trot up to the tray and dunk his feet.
This seemed like a good idea so the other boys gather round, Fergus (left) with Gully grazing behind, then Wee Eck (note his teeth!), Rufus, Gaucho and Faro looking over the hedge.
It's not long before Fyta is nudged out so he gives the water trough a try........
He's back into the tray but by now Fergus has decided to get the deckchair and towel out for a bit of poolside sunbathing whilst Wee Eck and Rufus work out how to tackle the '4 in a tray won't go' problem.
Not one to bother with queueing for anything, Wee Eck shoo's the other boys away and gets in!  Rufus is not happy about this and the pair start moaning and groaning at each other and showing their visible warnings - noses facing up in the air, ears back, teeth showing - this will lead to spitting if one or the other doesn't move!  
Now this is a first for Rufus - we've never actually seen him standing in the water tray before.  He and Wee Eck joined the herd just over a year ago and whilst Eck is always in the thick of the herd action, Rufus is much more reserved and usually to be found on the edges of the group.  Over the past year he has become much less of a loner and more willing to participate in the herd's activities, although he can be troublesome at feed time (as last week's blog describes!)  We've often seen him watching the other boys going into the tray but he's never been bold enough to try it himself.  Well done Roofie!
But the last word goes to Eck, who perhaps because of his deafness, is rarely deflected from what he wants to do - he just pushes forward and goes ahead and does it!  So having moaned and groaned and got rid of the competition, he now has the tray to himself for a morning soak.    Result!

6 comments:

  1. I have to confess...I have a favourite...doesn't he look a picture...by Eck!

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  2. Go Rufus! Well done for getting stuck in there.

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  3. Why is it that they like to get their feet wet? Do they like deeper water? I find it odd to say the least. They certainly are odd about the water trays!! lol Rufus just might be growing up now and finally has decided to go after what he wants...or he's finally feeling comfy in getting what he wants! lol ...debbie

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  4. Hi Debbie, I think they just like water - well, some of them do and others aren't so keen! Perhaps they just like the feeling of cool water on their pads. Take care. shirley & Robbie

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  5. We drove past the herd a little while ago and I practically jumped out of the car. I was so excited to see Alpacas near Inverness. They are great, they must produce amazing yarn for you!

    http://dwynwen.wordpress.com/

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  6. Hi Dwynwen, Come down the track - the boys would love to meet you! Loved your web site with all the quilts and stuff. Shirley & Robbie

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