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 February 2013

Wind swept and hen-pecked!

Not a lot happening here over the past week - except the gales.  Our shed door was smashed beyond repair, chicken's arcs were overturned and the conservatory roof was saved with minutes to spare.  A large birch tree was brought down in a neighbour's garden requiring lots of effort and the chain saw to clear it.  The boys tend to lie low during gales.  I think that heavy gusts tend to spook some of them when the wind shoves them, they jump but there is nobody near them!  This is Gully with his pal Gaucho behind (left) displaying his splayed legs and Wee Eck behind (right). 
Heads down for a nibble - (left to right) Faro, Gaucho and Gully in the foreground with the new build in the background.
Gaucho likes having his picture taken and will stand for ages looking into the lens.
Heads down again,  it's supplement time!  When the bowls are empty they tend to blow all over the place watched in amazement by the boys.
Fyta is the only boy who dumps his feed on the ground to eat. He will take a few mouthfuls from the bowl then he either kicks the bowl or nudges it over with his nose then eats off the ground.
Meanwhile, in the chicken compound the birds are all looking good with their new feathers in place for Spring.  Hunkey Dunkey in the middle keeps an eye on the hens stopping them from arguing with each other and will peck them on the top of their heads once if they don't behave!  Hen pecked or what?
And finally.............only one hen missing from the last photo and it's Delilah who has gone into the adjoining compound to get away from the amorous Hunkey!  She's 9 years old and is in great shape, lovely feathers, upright tail and a fluffy bum and still able to fly over the 8 feet high fence with ease.  She's a big pal of Hunkey but not so keen on his intentions when he drops a wing and starts the pre-mating dance, so she goes into the other compound and leaves it to the three new hens to get some experience in that department!

3 comments:

  1. Hope the gales are passing without any more damage ... its really windy here tonight. Im sure the boys and the chickens are tucked up snug tonight .... Jayne

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  2. Oh dear! Sorry to hear about your shed and the near miss with the conservatory. Hope the worst of the weather has now passed :) Lisa

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  3. The joys of Scottish winters eh?! On the bright side the house is looking great, bet you can't wait to get in?

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