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 3 June 2012

The boys get their kit off!

Here are a lot of anxious boys, having been penned in for the night, awaiting the man with the shears!  We are never happy to keep them penned in, but with the threat of overnight rain before early morning shearing, it's the sensible thing to do.  It makes for messy shelters but thats the way it goes.
Faro, being the boss-man, is always first to get 'done' and he always reacts in the same way.  He struts his stuff with his tail up in front of the rest of the boys and the humans with a look in his eyes which says, "Huh - sheering?  Easy-Peasy!"
Rufus is not convinced that he knows the cool dude with the new haircut!
Wee Eck looks a bit forlorn now with all his curls gone, but he soon cheered up.  Can't mistake those 'ET' ears though!
James, helped by Noah in the background gives Fergus a new look.  Shearing is always an anxious time for animals and owners alike and both are usually relieved when it is all over.  The weather has been unseasonably cold, especially overnight, and the boys have voluntarily taken themselves into the shelters.  They are enjoying the sunny breaks during the day and at times begin to run around and pronk, so they are obviously quite happy.
It's Bluebell time around here at present with the verges covered with colour.
And finally.............this is the sight that greets the boys from the bottom paddock at present as the crane off loads the  timber frame kit onto the new house site.  After all the planning to keep the two events separate, the shearing and the arrival of the house kit started at exactly the same time!  We kept a low profile helping with the shearing and left the builders to manage the off-load of the giant jigsaw.

3 comments:

  1. Hope the boys aren't too cold...we have a few shivering today. Faro looks lovely with his kit off!

    Looking forward to watching developments on the house front.

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  2. Those boys look very smart...here's hoping that the weather is kind , at least until they have got used to life without fur coats!

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  3. The boys look so skinny in their new look! But they have to feel good by golly!! Glad to see your new home going up!! Probably won't be too long before the outside is done right?! I'm sure the boys are thrilled with all the new activity!! ...debbie

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