The
alpacas have shrunk!
(September 2003)
Well
they certainly did look different when they returned from a visit to a
neighbouring farm in June to catch up with a specialist alpaca shearer.
A
telephone call from the shearers to say that they would be passing through the
area the next day resulted in a mad rush to arrange transport as once the
shearers set up their kit they want to shear as many animals as possible - only
having four alpacas ourselves meant we had to join up with a larger herd. Brian and Jean Davies at Pontshill have had their alpacas for
about three years and were willing for our animals to join theirs for what
certainly was a nerve wracking experience both for the alpacas and their novice
owner!
Many
thanks to Nigel and Mandy Eckley for the loan of the horsebox at short notice
and to Brian and Jean for all their invaluable help and advice.
The
alpacas were sheared laying on their sides on a table with their feet fastened
and someone supporting their head and neck – having sheared up one side the
animal is then turned over for the shearer to complete the process which in all
took about 15 minutes per animal.
The
fleece is sorted into three grades: the best quality from the ‘blanket’ area
across the back, a second quality from the neck and then the rough stuff from
the belly and legs. Once they have
finished shearing the fleece the shearer also trims the animals’ feet and
checks to see if their teeth need grinding down – they only have teeth on the
lower jaw which can grow too long to meet the hard pad on the upper jaw properly
and so inhibit grazing.
After
such an experience they were glad to get back home although they seemed very
self conscious of all the strange looks they were getting!
In
July our second baby was born when Delia gave birth to a beautiful white baby
boy whom we have called Cyder – a companion to Perry our first baby who was
born in May. The two boys will stay
with their mums until after Christmas when at six to eight months old they are
ready to be weaned.
Cindy
Smith