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, 24 April 2016

It's water tray time again!

Quite apart from the frosty nights and cold northerly winds this week we've also had some hot sunshine.  The boys started to 'dunk' their feet in their water troughs so it was time to get a seasonal water tray out of storage.  The boys were in a different paddock when the tray was deployed but soon catch on to it's location.   Faro is first in line, soaking his face and the top of his head which he likes to do.
Fergus (nearest camera) and Fyta are hard on Faro's heels to get into the tray.  Fyta always tries to muscle his way into the tray before the others.  Fidget is making his way slowly towards the other boys, out of shot.
As usual Fyta gets himself into the tray, displacing Faro and keeping Fergus waiting - which does not please Fergus as he stamps in the tray!   Fidget is on the other side of the fence watching the argument.
By now Fyta and Fergus have started a spitting match over ownership of the tray.  Faro looks as if he is saying, "What is it with these two, Boss?"
Fergus takes the long view and decides to wait until Fyta gets fed up - or his 'bits' get frozen!
At last Fyta gets out of the tray and Fergus immediately takes his place and gives his neck a good soak.
And finally..........Fidget decides he will wait his turn for the tray which must surely come - it did, about 10 minutes after this when my camera wasn't handy!

4 comments:

  1. Lovely to see your great photos. I miss our 3 boys that we had back in Suffolk, perhaps I should have some more now that we are established in the Highlands.
    Hope you enjoy doing your blog as much as I do mine, June Purvis. Our blog address : seasidecrofting.blogspot.com

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    1. Hello June, You live in a lovely area which we know very well - not a million miles away! Loved your blog. You should certainly get some 'pacas - they'd love that view too! We're just 5 miles from Beauly, come and see us next time you are in the area. Shirley & Robbie

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  2. We really must get some of those trays, your boys seem to love them but how long do they remain before the pacas spill the water?

    p.s. Hope there was still some left when Fidget got in!

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    1. Hi Judi, Builders' mixing trays, work a treat and the boys love them - we put three out WHEN it gets really hot! They don't tip over or spill as they are not too deep. We put two watering cans full of water in each one so they are easily re-filled when they get dirty. Yes, plenty of water was left for Fidget! Take care. Shirley & Robbie

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