.www.alpaca-stuff.co.uk
Sadly my lovely collie, Romie died of a stroke on my birthday in October. She was only twelve and she had lived on the farm since she was an eight week old puppy.
In mid November Ted joined the pack. He was twelve weeks old and has settled in very well. He is destined to help Dolly herd the alpacas when needed and, I guess, he will eventually take over her job. Not for a long time yet, I hope, Will be posting some up to date pictures soon.
The weather has been wet for weeks and so life on the farm is hampered by mud and often high winds too.
Sales of our hand knitted hats, mittens and scarves are slow in January as everyone is recovering from Christmas but we are hoping to be selling again from February to April and are thinking of ways to promote the business in the summer months.
Monday, 29 January 2018
Saturday, 27 January 2018
Life at Laurekl FarmAlpacas
www.alpaca-stuff.co.uk
Alpaca Hand Knits
We still have a small herd of alpacas mainly for their fleece, although we do have some breeding stock and pets for sale from time to time.
We sell online and we have a small shop on the farm where you can buy Alpaca socks, beanie hats, bobble hats, chullo hats, mittens, scarves, gloves and more. We also sell Vetbed for dogs (not alpaca) which is very popular as bedding, boot liner for pets travelling and to line dog crates for puppies and elderly or sick dogs.
Phone 01460 220763 to arrange a visit and to confirm that the shop is open. We are always pleased to see visitors.
Mike is battling with health problems at the moment but looking forward to better weather and renewed vitality in the spring. It seems to have rained for weeks and all our gateways and sloping fields are subject to mud and holding water.
Alpaca Hand Knits
We still have a small herd of alpacas mainly for their fleece, although we do have some breeding stock and pets for sale from time to time.
We sell online and we have a small shop on the farm where you can buy Alpaca socks, beanie hats, bobble hats, chullo hats, mittens, scarves, gloves and more. We also sell Vetbed for dogs (not alpaca) which is very popular as bedding, boot liner for pets travelling and to line dog crates for puppies and elderly or sick dogs.
Phone 01460 220763 to arrange a visit and to confirm that the shop is open. We are always pleased to see visitors.
Mike is battling with health problems at the moment but looking forward to better weather and renewed vitality in the spring. It seems to have rained for weeks and all our gateways and sloping fields are subject to mud and holding water.
Thursday, 29 June 2017
First Cria of 2017
www.alpaca-stuff.co.uk
www.alpacas-for-sale.co.uk
Ninette is the first cria to be born on the farm this year. Her Mum is Nina and this will probably be the last time we breed from her as she is coming up for ten years old.
Mother and cria seem to be doing well and luckily the weather is much kinder today than yesterday when we had torrential rain.
www.alpacas-for-sale.co.uk
Ninette is the first cria to be born on the farm this year. Her Mum is Nina and this will probably be the last time we breed from her as she is coming up for ten years old.
Mother and cria seem to be doing well and luckily the weather is much kinder today than yesterday when we had torrential rain.
Saturday, 17 June 2017
New Outlook for Alpacastuff
alpaca-stuff.co.uk
alpacas-for-sale.co.uk
Although we are no longer breeding alpacas for sale, we still have a small herd of fourteen males and eleven females and several of them (the females!) are pregnant. From time to time we may have alpacas available as we want to keep the herd numbers low.
We were thinking of closing down altogether but most of the jobs on the farm need doing whether or not we have animals and we could not imagine the fields with no alpacas. Now we are running the enterprise as a hobby farm which pays for itself. Even the hens have to pay for their own food by donating their eggs. Only the dogs get a free ride!!
The sign at the farm gate shows OPEN or CLOSED. We are closed all day on Sundays and Tuesdays and suggest that you phone in advance if you are coming specially on any other day.
alpacas-for-sale.co.uk
Although we are no longer breeding alpacas for sale, we still have a small herd of fourteen males and eleven females and several of them (the females!) are pregnant. From time to time we may have alpacas available as we want to keep the herd numbers low.
We were thinking of closing down altogether but most of the jobs on the farm need doing whether or not we have animals and we could not imagine the fields with no alpacas. Now we are running the enterprise as a hobby farm which pays for itself. Even the hens have to pay for their own food by donating their eggs. Only the dogs get a free ride!!
The sign at the farm gate shows OPEN or CLOSED. We are closed all day on Sundays and Tuesdays and suggest that you phone in advance if you are coming specially on any other day.
Saturday, 13 May 2017
Hens Enjoying the Sun
The alpacas have all been shorn, the bird flue scare is over and the hens can free range again, the weather is lovely so it is a real day to enjoy. The hens love sunbathing in a dust bath and so do the alpacas.
www.alpaca-stuff.co.uk
Thursday, 6 April 2017
Toe Nails
Today was nice and sunny and we took the opportunity for a much need pedicure for the boys. We also tried out a new handling arrangement.
Most of the time I can treat the alpacas without help. Worming, administration of ADE paste to keep up their vitamin levels, and all vaccinations presnt no problems, but I have not been able to master cutting toe nails on my own.
We have now adapted our handling corral so that one alpaca at a time can be contained and with Mike just holding their heads I was able to quickly and efficiently trim the offending nails.
In the past we have had a slightly bigger handling area which meant that the "holder"sometimes had to dance around if an alpaca decided he did not want to co-operate.
Since Mike's recent health problems and his long term arthritis he has found that sudden unexpected movements can be quite painful, so the new system works well for both of us.
I have painted the floor of our chalet shop and moved all the stock back in so that it looks really smart again. We are holding a coffee drop in on the 22nd April to introduce people to our latest products and give them a pre-view for the year ahead when they are looking for birthday presents etc:
Freddie and co will will available to meet the public.
www.alpaca-stuff.co.uk
Most of the time I can treat the alpacas without help. Worming, administration of ADE paste to keep up their vitamin levels, and all vaccinations presnt no problems, but I have not been able to master cutting toe nails on my own.
We have now adapted our handling corral so that one alpaca at a time can be contained and with Mike just holding their heads I was able to quickly and efficiently trim the offending nails.
In the past we have had a slightly bigger handling area which meant that the "holder"sometimes had to dance around if an alpaca decided he did not want to co-operate.
Since Mike's recent health problems and his long term arthritis he has found that sudden unexpected movements can be quite painful, so the new system works well for both of us.
I have painted the floor of our chalet shop and moved all the stock back in so that it looks really smart again. We are holding a coffee drop in on the 22nd April to introduce people to our latest products and give them a pre-view for the year ahead when they are looking for birthday presents etc:
Freddie and co will will available to meet the public.
www.alpaca-stuff.co.uk
Wednesday, 5 April 2017
Meet Freddie
Freddie is ten months old and a little small but perfectly formed!! His Mum and Dad were both quite compct alpacas and he has taken after them it seems.
He is so friendly (and has been since he was really young). He is always the first to approach if I go into their paddock and if I have food he starts to nuzzle as soon as he sees the bowl. He is very brave and will always be the first to investigate any new events or visitors.
www.alpaca-stuff.co.uk
He is so friendly (and has been since he was really young). He is always the first to approach if I go into their paddock and if I have food he starts to nuzzle as soon as he sees the bowl. He is very brave and will always be the first to investigate any new events or visitors.
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