Pasture Eye Candy

[Goatherd]

I jumped in with both feet and brought home a pair of Alpaca. After picking the two that I wanted, I had the good fortune of being able to shear them myself. I helped with several before I did my own. This particular farm had a great set up to shear. Having never seen it done, I didn't realize that there was a specific table designed to make shearing easier and more efficient. It was a great experience and I'm glad I got to do hands-on work with them. Some were very cooperative, some were not! Never mind that I practically cut the tip of my index finger off. The shears were sharp and BIG!

Can't wait to start working with them as they are not very tame. I'm letting them settle in and get used to their new environment. I can almost touch them when they are in the pasture, but that's as far as it's gone. Hoping to get them halter trained and able to walk in a civil manner!

They share the goat pasture and fit in beautifully and get along very well with the goats. At first, the goats looked at them and couldn't quite make out what kind of creature was invading their home. I think the long necks threw them!

Last night I went to visit my Amish friends who have done work for me in the past. They will be here shortly to build the new couple their own pasture building so they won't have to share with the goats.


ETA Forgot to mention that they came home in the back of a Subaru Forester. They both laid down and rode like they had been doing it all their lives. They're real head turners at stop lights!



This is Woodroe, the male, before his haircut.

This is part of the original herd from where they came.

Woodroe and Eleanor after their shearing and at home.

Woody chilling in the clover.

 

[Straw Hat Kikos]

Eye candy is right!!

 

[ksalvagno]

Very cute! Congratulations!

My only suggestion would be to trim around their eyes more. Alpacas that can't fully see are more skittish. I have to admit that this is one of my pet peeves. When I birthed alpacas for other people, they knew that if they brought over an alpaca with a long top knot, it would be trimmed. I think some purposely did it so I would trim it. You can trim it up so they can see and the top knot still look very nice. You should be able to see their eyes from any angle.

 

[Goatherd]

Will do, Karen. That makes perfect sense.

 

[Goatherd]

Here's an update on the happy couple. When Woodie and Ellie came to live here they were cautious and skittish to say the least. They came from a farm where they weren't handled except for the day I picked them up and that was the day of their first shearing.

Since coming here several weeks ago, I've been just working on trust, making them feels secure and realizing that I'm not a threat to them. They will follow me around and will come very close to me almost brushing against me although they are not fond of being touched.

They will go into their barn to eat and have become comfortable doing so. Today I decided was the day I would take advantage of their curiosity. When I put their hay in the rack this morning they followed me in and I closed the door! This was the first time we were both in an enclosed area with no means of escape. They needed their vaccinations and worming as they were not done when they came. I didn't have any of those items with me so I left them in the barn while I went to the house to retrieve the supplies. I also brought the trimming scissors with me as they needed their top knots badly trimmed as they still had hair in their eyes. (Thank you Karen) I thought if the initial introduction to being touched and treated went well, I would attempt to do the trim.

Well wonders of wonders. With minimal stress, on both of us, they took to being touched and scratched very well. Seems they like their butts scratched much like a dog does.
They let me put my arms around their neck and that really seemed to calm them down immediately. The vaccinatng and worming went very smoothly...surprisingly easier than with the goats. Alpaca do have some tight skin! I used the fold where the leg meets the body to give the injections which was the least taut of anywhere on their body.

Now for the challenge, or so I thought. I picked up my shears and started first with Woodie. Amazingly, he stood like a champ and actually seemed to enjoy having his hair cut. No issues whatsoever with him. Then Ellie was next. She was minimally "not sure" about what was to happen but Woodie stood right beside her and that seemed to give her the comfort and confidence she needed to have her hair trimmed. She too, was very calm through the haircut.

Halter training is coming next. I know it might seem long that I didn't start it but I wanted them to settle in and feel comfortable with their new home. If it goes as easily as today, I think it will be easy to train them.

I have to say, I'm really enjoying them and I learn from them every day.

 

[aggieterpkatie]

Fabulous job trimming their topknots! They're beautiful.

 

[ksalvagno]

Good job on the top knots! They look great and I love to see their eyes!

 

[teach1rusl]

Your alpacas are lovely! I've enjoyed reading about your experience in working with them. We're getting a few alpacas next spring, so I'm trying to file away everything I can about others' experiences. The trim around the eyes makes such a huge difference in visibility, doesn't it?

 

[Goatherd]

Thank you. Yes, trimming the topknot did do wonders for their visibility. They even seem to be more calm than before.

Today or tomorrow is going to be the start of halter training. I just received the halters that I ordered for them yesterday. The halters that they had on in the one photo were goat halters, that they came with, and aren't appropriate for them.

If you're looking to get halters for your alpaca, you might want to have a look at these: http://www.camelidynamics.com/home/cam/smartlist_35/<<doc_name_name>>

Once you start reading about halters you will find that there are very definite requirements for fitting them appropriately and these halters come highly recommended. From all that I've read, a properly fitted halter makes all the difference in the world when it comes to training and to their safety...being able to eat, drink and breathe properly.

Good luck with your new alpaca when you get them. As Karen mentioned, I think in another post, they aren't as interested in people as goats are, but they do have a quality about them that I find fascinating.