www.alpaca-stuff.co.uk
www.alpacas-for-sale.co.uk
With the Christmas season nearly upon us the alpacas' wool and the garments we make from them are at their most popular. Our online shop is doing well and we expect the Christmas Market on Sunday 1st December will give us a kick start in the farm shop.
The weather should be dry for Sunday, so fingers crossed we will have plenty of visitors to make it worth while for the stallholders and, of course, for our own shop.
The barn will be full of interesting stalls from pottery and handmade walking sticks to soap and goats cheese with patchwork, bunting, natural Christmas decorations, fabric goods, cakes and preserves and more in between.
As we do not dye our own alpaca wool, we have introduced a range of fair trade alpaca throws, scarves and shawls in vibrant colours to complement our own classic and practical hand knits. Our alpaca socks are, as always at this time of year, selling well and now that most of our building work has been completed the farm is looking quite neat and tidy.
Friday, 29 November 2013
Monday, 25 November 2013
It's Official!
www.alpacas-for-sale.co.uk
www.alpaca-stuff.co.uk
Our farm shop is open weekdays 11.30 - 3.30 p.m. except Wednesday and we are closed on Sundays notwithstanding unforeseen events. Today I had very few customers but just before I was about to close a car pulled in and four young men emerged. They wandered down the drive as I wandered up and I made the observation that I presumed they were not interested in the shop and they confirmed that they were more interested in the alpacas.
As usual when visitors particularly want to see them the alpacas had removed themselves to a lower paddock, so I offered to bring them up so they could see them at close quarters. They were really pleased and so I called Dolly the dog out to help me move them.
As luck would have it Dolly acted like a participant in One Man and His Dog on this occasion. (Sometimes of course it can go horribly wrong)! She listened to my voice and whistle commands and casually herded the eight young males up the paddock and through two gateways. She then lay down to block the second gateway whilst the visitors took photos and generally enjoyed the experience. When I felt that the alpacas had settled down I called Dolly back and raised my hand in a wave as Dolly and I walked away.
One of the boys waved back and shouted "I have got to say that your dog is awesome." so what I always knew is now official!!
Jake, Mike's dog, still retains the title of "The Saint" as he can do no wrong in Mike's eyes, but as I said repeatedly until Mike told me to shut up, "awesome" is much better.
Preparations are going ahead for the Crafts and Gifts Market at the weekend. Mike is still in the barn as I am writing this at 6.20 p.m. He is pressure washing the floor so that it is fit for humans. Tomorrow he and Nick will be putting up temporary fencing for the car park and for Animal corner where we have a few alpacas, sheep and chickens for visitors (particularly the children) to see.
www.alpaca-stuff.co.uk
Our farm shop is open weekdays 11.30 - 3.30 p.m. except Wednesday and we are closed on Sundays notwithstanding unforeseen events. Today I had very few customers but just before I was about to close a car pulled in and four young men emerged. They wandered down the drive as I wandered up and I made the observation that I presumed they were not interested in the shop and they confirmed that they were more interested in the alpacas.
As usual when visitors particularly want to see them the alpacas had removed themselves to a lower paddock, so I offered to bring them up so they could see them at close quarters. They were really pleased and so I called Dolly the dog out to help me move them.
As luck would have it Dolly acted like a participant in One Man and His Dog on this occasion. (Sometimes of course it can go horribly wrong)! She listened to my voice and whistle commands and casually herded the eight young males up the paddock and through two gateways. She then lay down to block the second gateway whilst the visitors took photos and generally enjoyed the experience. When I felt that the alpacas had settled down I called Dolly back and raised my hand in a wave as Dolly and I walked away.
One of the boys waved back and shouted "I have got to say that your dog is awesome." so what I always knew is now official!!
Jake, Mike's dog, still retains the title of "The Saint" as he can do no wrong in Mike's eyes, but as I said repeatedly until Mike told me to shut up, "awesome" is much better.
Preparations are going ahead for the Crafts and Gifts Market at the weekend. Mike is still in the barn as I am writing this at 6.20 p.m. He is pressure washing the floor so that it is fit for humans. Tomorrow he and Nick will be putting up temporary fencing for the car park and for Animal corner where we have a few alpacas, sheep and chickens for visitors (particularly the children) to see.
Tuesday, 19 November 2013
Tidying Up
www.alpacas-for-sale.co.uk
www.alpacas-stuff.co.uk
We are making the most of the weather to prepare for the winter ahead. We sent the three older male alpacas who normally free-range around the house and barn areas down the race which separates our paddocks from the perimeter fence. The grass was in need of a trim up and the boys enjoyed the fresh grazing but after a couple of days they kept coming back up to the gate in the hope that they could access their normal shelter and, I think, be part of the "family" including the dogs and chickens. They are now back in their home territory and enjoying being Lords of all they Survey again.
The chicken run was very muddy and unpleasant for me when feeding and cleaning them, so I went to our local sand and gravel merchants, who normally supply our scalpings etc: and chose some gravel which Mike spread around their run. They free range during the day but are shut in for their own safety overnight.
They were so pleased that the cockrell (see photo) was even contemplating a bit of agility!
Millie, our oldest Collie, likes to feel that she can mingle where she pleases and on the whole none of the other animals seem to object. We have to keep an eye on her because she is not averse to pinching the occasional egg for herself.
www.alpacas-stuff.co.uk
We are making the most of the weather to prepare for the winter ahead. We sent the three older male alpacas who normally free-range around the house and barn areas down the race which separates our paddocks from the perimeter fence. The grass was in need of a trim up and the boys enjoyed the fresh grazing but after a couple of days they kept coming back up to the gate in the hope that they could access their normal shelter and, I think, be part of the "family" including the dogs and chickens. They are now back in their home territory and enjoying being Lords of all they Survey again.
They were so pleased that the cockrell (see photo) was even contemplating a bit of agility!
Millie, our oldest Collie, likes to feel that she can mingle where she pleases and on the whole none of the other animals seem to object. We have to keep an eye on her because she is not averse to pinching the occasional egg for herself.
Sunday, 17 November 2013
Pedicure Time
We have been gradually working our way through the routine husbandry for the alpacas and finally finished by trimming their toe nails. It was a nice easy job as they are all well behaved and the wet weather has kept the nails soft and easy to cut. Sometimes in long spells of dry weather the nails seem to be as hard as stone.
One of the young males had a strange foot problem which we treated with antibiotic spray and an injection followed by regular checks and further application of the spray. The treatment has obviously worked because, apart from pink feet where the spray has weathered, his feet look quite normal again.
The hens are starting to produce fewer eggs with the days being shorter and several have decided that the hay rack in one of the shelters is an ideal nesting spot, which means that we have to remember to check it daily before any other animals accidentally crack them.
This evening when I shut them in I found the cockerell with his wing over Chicken Licken (the old pet hen). I do not know whether he was cold or he thought she was but it definitely explained the expression "to take someone under your wing". Unfortunately I think I disturbed them, but I like to think that they snuggled up again when I had done my head count.
With our Christmas Market coming up, Mike is going great guns at clearing out the barn and neatly stowing away the dangerous farm machinery, which he loves. I have been labelling and arranging all our alpaca products and have bought some extra stock in ready for the Christmas "rush".
One of the young males had a strange foot problem which we treated with antibiotic spray and an injection followed by regular checks and further application of the spray. The treatment has obviously worked because, apart from pink feet where the spray has weathered, his feet look quite normal again.
The hens are starting to produce fewer eggs with the days being shorter and several have decided that the hay rack in one of the shelters is an ideal nesting spot, which means that we have to remember to check it daily before any other animals accidentally crack them.
This evening when I shut them in I found the cockerell with his wing over Chicken Licken (the old pet hen). I do not know whether he was cold or he thought she was but it definitely explained the expression "to take someone under your wing". Unfortunately I think I disturbed them, but I like to think that they snuggled up again when I had done my head count.
With our Christmas Market coming up, Mike is going great guns at clearing out the barn and neatly stowing away the dangerous farm machinery, which he loves. I have been labelling and arranging all our alpaca products and have bought some extra stock in ready for the Christmas "rush".
Wednesday, 6 November 2013
Not just a fluke
www.alpacas-for-sale.co.uk
www.alpacas-stuff.co.uk
With the wet warm weather that we are experiencing, the warnings are out that liver fluke is becoming a problem for sheepand alpacas in the area. The liver fluke is a flatworm with a complex lifecycle which relies on moisture and warm temperatures for survival,
Acute infestation can cause livestock deaths if the parasite is left to multiply unchecked. Sheep of all ages are equally susceptible, with the most acute forms of infestation observed during the autumn. Alpacas can also carry this parasite, especially if they are grazing on wetlands . We have a spring in the winter paddocks and quite a large marshy area, which is particularly attractive when the marsh orchids are in bloom.
As a precaution we drench our alpacas against fluke three times over the winter, starting in October and the last dose in April. With our smaller herd it is an easy job for me to do without any help. Today was the turn of our females and I was really pleased at how well they behaved. Even Perdita, a well built but sometimes unco-operative young female, gave way gracefully.
The Gotland Sheep were also more helpful than usual. I think they have decided to take a lead from the alpacas. The goats are quite easy to deal with but you just have to watch out that the horns are pointing the right way.
The next drench will be ADE paste which is a sugery paste as a carrier for essential vitamins, especially Vitamin D which is very important for alpacas who originate in South America where they are exposed to higher levels of sunshine with less filtration from the atmosphere. I intend to start this on the next dry day.
The Christmas Market is now fully booked with no more stall holder spaces available. I have put out posters and advertised the event in the Marshwood Vale Magazine, the Parish Newsletter and on our website. It now just depends on the weather so that enough visitors come along.
www.alpacas-stuff.co.uk
With the wet warm weather that we are experiencing, the warnings are out that liver fluke is becoming a problem for sheepand alpacas in the area. The liver fluke is a flatworm with a complex lifecycle which relies on moisture and warm temperatures for survival,
Acute infestation can cause livestock deaths if the parasite is left to multiply unchecked. Sheep of all ages are equally susceptible, with the most acute forms of infestation observed during the autumn. Alpacas can also carry this parasite, especially if they are grazing on wetlands . We have a spring in the winter paddocks and quite a large marshy area, which is particularly attractive when the marsh orchids are in bloom.
As a precaution we drench our alpacas against fluke three times over the winter, starting in October and the last dose in April. With our smaller herd it is an easy job for me to do without any help. Today was the turn of our females and I was really pleased at how well they behaved. Even Perdita, a well built but sometimes unco-operative young female, gave way gracefully.
The Gotland Sheep were also more helpful than usual. I think they have decided to take a lead from the alpacas. The goats are quite easy to deal with but you just have to watch out that the horns are pointing the right way.
The next drench will be ADE paste which is a sugery paste as a carrier for essential vitamins, especially Vitamin D which is very important for alpacas who originate in South America where they are exposed to higher levels of sunshine with less filtration from the atmosphere. I intend to start this on the next dry day.
The Christmas Market is now fully booked with no more stall holder spaces available. I have put out posters and advertised the event in the Marshwood Vale Magazine, the Parish Newsletter and on our website. It now just depends on the weather so that enough visitors come along.
Monday, 28 October 2013
Confused animals
www.alpacas-for-sale.co.uk
www.alpaca-stuff.co.uk
The forecast storm came but on this occasion our mini climate which usually gives us worse weather than our neighbours seemed to work in our favour. It was very windy and it rained, but we slept through it and in the morning the effects were not noticeable. As far as I can see none of our lovely trees suffered and all the animals seemed quite normal this morning.
The chicken guarding alpacas are obviously feeling on top of the world and told Romie, the dog, to leave their exalted position. The chickens think that Mike's yard is just another perching opportunity and the dogs are accepted as four legged chickens, I think. Only the cat remains aloof and literally on top. She has taken over the barn as her abode and sleeps on the highest bale in the hay loft.
I took down all the agility equipment so that it would not get blown around last night. As the alpacas are using the shelter next door, there is nowhere handy to store the equipment under cover at the moment so it just stayed on the ground.
www.alpaca-stuff.co.uk
The forecast storm came but on this occasion our mini climate which usually gives us worse weather than our neighbours seemed to work in our favour. It was very windy and it rained, but we slept through it and in the morning the effects were not noticeable. As far as I can see none of our lovely trees suffered and all the animals seemed quite normal this morning.
The chicken guarding alpacas are obviously feeling on top of the world and told Romie, the dog, to leave their exalted position. The chickens think that Mike's yard is just another perching opportunity and the dogs are accepted as four legged chickens, I think. Only the cat remains aloof and literally on top. She has taken over the barn as her abode and sleeps on the highest bale in the hay loft.
Friday, 25 October 2013
B & B for Alpacas
www.alpacas-for-sale.co.uk
www.alpaca-stuff.co.uk
Having survived the terrible winter and summer last year when for the first time we had to keep our alpacas in the barn for several weeks, we have had a change of plan this year. We have sold off about half the herd this year and are left with just 24 now. The female alpacas are in the "winter" paddocks which boasts a large shelter in one corner, and the young males are in the home paddocks with the three older stud males free ranging around the farm yard area.
Rather than having to occupy the barn for long periods, thus making it unavailable for any other purpose, we have decided to house the alpacas over night in the shelters. Whilst it is not yet cold we have had torrential rain sometimes (usually when I am out without a coat) and when it happens during the night as well as the daytime the animals do not dry out. If this were to be combined with cold weather, they could well get very cold indeed.
At the end of the afternoon, Dolly and I wander down to the winter paddocks and get the girls into an enclosure around the big shelter where they have hay and water under cover. We then do the same with the males - except that they are shut into their shelters as there are not so many of them.
As they are creatures of habit I am expecting that they will soon be mooching towards the shelters themselves at the end of the day and all I will have to do is shut the gates.
In the morning when I let them out they often do not bother for a while and finally stroll out in their own time, so they obviously enjoy their indoor accommodation with ad lib food.
The sheep just follow the alpacas and the goats, bless them, run for cover at the slightest hint of rain.
The chickens are wallowing around in mud in their pens at the moment and the shorter days are taking their toll on the egg production. Although they free range during the day, we have to shut them in for safety at night and they come out as soon as it is daylight and so have time to scratch around in the mud. I have ordered some more grit to spread in the pen in an effort to keep it cleaner. This will make my job of feeding etc: more pleasant and also help to avoid dirty eggs.
www.alpaca-stuff.co.uk
Having survived the terrible winter and summer last year when for the first time we had to keep our alpacas in the barn for several weeks, we have had a change of plan this year. We have sold off about half the herd this year and are left with just 24 now. The female alpacas are in the "winter" paddocks which boasts a large shelter in one corner, and the young males are in the home paddocks with the three older stud males free ranging around the farm yard area.
Rather than having to occupy the barn for long periods, thus making it unavailable for any other purpose, we have decided to house the alpacas over night in the shelters. Whilst it is not yet cold we have had torrential rain sometimes (usually when I am out without a coat) and when it happens during the night as well as the daytime the animals do not dry out. If this were to be combined with cold weather, they could well get very cold indeed.
At the end of the afternoon, Dolly and I wander down to the winter paddocks and get the girls into an enclosure around the big shelter where they have hay and water under cover. We then do the same with the males - except that they are shut into their shelters as there are not so many of them.
As they are creatures of habit I am expecting that they will soon be mooching towards the shelters themselves at the end of the day and all I will have to do is shut the gates.
In the morning when I let them out they often do not bother for a while and finally stroll out in their own time, so they obviously enjoy their indoor accommodation with ad lib food.
The sheep just follow the alpacas and the goats, bless them, run for cover at the slightest hint of rain.
The chickens are wallowing around in mud in their pens at the moment and the shorter days are taking their toll on the egg production. Although they free range during the day, we have to shut them in for safety at night and they come out as soon as it is daylight and so have time to scratch around in the mud. I have ordered some more grit to spread in the pen in an effort to keep it cleaner. This will make my job of feeding etc: more pleasant and also help to avoid dirty eggs.
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