Spring Shearing

One of the tasks that I used to dread but now not so much is shearing all of these fleecy critters! Our shearing days have really evolved... from me HAND shearing most of our alpacas and llamas, to using a shearing table with a professional shearer, to having a pro but still having to do a LOT of the physical restraint ourselves, to now.

For the last 4-5 years we have used a team of shearers from Ohio that come in for the day and pretty much do it ALL. My old bones are very appreciative! It's still an exhausting and long day of keeping the animals moved around, giving worming injections, scooping up the fleece and bagging it, and sweeping up the trimmings, but not as bad as before!

We have been inviting our clients with just a few animals to bring them here for shearing (and they all pitch in, too, which is appreciated!) and this year's total for llamas and alpacas (both ours and clients) was 80..... plus two sheep. Much better than the 120 or so we did in a day a few years ago! We're having good luck with getting our herd numbers down a bit, and I can feel the difference on shearing day.

The alpacas are always relieved to have it over with, too, and they are much better prepared for hot weather now!

Stay tuned for new cria photos coming soon!

Wonderful Day of Shearing!

Each year gets better, and hands-down this was our best shearing day in every way. The weather was absolutely perfect, and lots of people came out to enjoy the farm.As always, we had a few unexpected "angels" show up to help- special thanks to Libby and Ken- we can never have too many sweepers and fleece-gatherers. Paul and Sue were the uncomplaining heads of the sweeping crew!The kids worked especially hard, and one of my favorite points in the day was when I sent Robert into the big field on a scooter to herd up a group of rogue females that were heading for the back forty. He got around the group, and they took one look at him and headed immediately to the barn! It was priceless, and Robert was proud of this particular contribution!
Here, Mirian is gathering up the fleece from her alpaca, Willow, who is a Snowmass Casanova daughter with very fine fiber.

Several of our clients came to watch their animals getting shorn, and a few brought animal over.
More people signed up for the upcoming Hat Felting Class which is scheduled for Sunday, April 25th from 1-5. (I still have a few more openings, so let me know if you're interested! alpacalindy@gmail.com).
The shop was bustling- I especially loved watching this young customer trying on hats! We sold lots of products and three alpacas as well. We are continuing to downsize our herd with the goal of being down to 60 by the end of this year, so contact us if you're looking for some great buys!
We all collapsed at the end of the day (this is the shearer, John Gunther, being particular silly after completing 93 head of alpacas and llamas).There's always plenty of cleanup, but we got it done- I love this picture of Mirian sweeping with the spring evening sunshine coming in to the barn behind her. And now, the biggest chore of springtime is complete!