The new field

Posted on January 18, 2012 by mark

Last weekend, as planned and with the weather co-operating, we moved everyone over to the new field. It’s a bit smaller, but has a pond at the bottom, a great view and best of all it’s within walking distance – that’s going to be a huge time saver! Continue reading →

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Management Hay-net

Posted on December 23, 2011 by mark

The alpacas are in a strict hierarchy within the herd, Amber is at the top and Eva, the youngest is at the bottom. It’s roughly in order by age, though Amethyst who’s our oldest girl has lost out over time to Amber who’s her daughter.

This hierarchy is no more apparent than when you put out two hay-nets and there is a choice.

Once the nets are up, everyone goes and starts eating, usually from the nearest. Amber meantime, eats from one and then wanders over to eat from the other. she decides which one is ‘hers’. It then becomes the ‘management-team’ hay-net and any youngsters eating from it are shooed away to be replaced by their elders. Now it’s settled, everyone can get on with the job of eating.

Of course, if you are a clever alpaca like Dee here, you’re much more interested in why I’m standing in the pen waving a phone about than eating hay. It’s always worth keeping an eye on people in case there might be a spare bit of apple or a carrot!

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Late autumn amble

Posted on November 13, 2011 by mark

After the rain of Friday, the sun at the weekend was a welcome relief as we had a couple coming for a walk with the llamas. We couldn’t have asked for a nicer day, clear blue skies and the Cotswolds looking rather smart in autumnal brown and green.

First up was to find a couple of llamas to take out. Recently we seem to have been taking Spud/Snowy & TwoTone so it was about time Latte and Peanut had a chance. Handily, they both came into the pen on the promise of hard food and were soon haltered, ready to go.

Once the guests arrived and we’d had llama introductions and the brief safety talk it was time to be off. Both Latte and Peanut know the route well and we ambled along answering the usual questions about the boys and enjoying the view under a blue sky.

Both boys set a good pace – and it seemed hardly any time before we we half-way round in the valley and stopping for a few more photos.  As we stood watching the buzzards wheeling above us, amazingly a butterfly flew past unconcerned that it was November!

Up through the valley, now deserted and very quite after spending much of the year full of sheep, a brief climb and we were back in the field.

For some a chance of a fond farewell —>

For the less lucky, there was a chance to meet the other llamas and our two alpaca boys, as well as watch Latte rolling once his head-collar was off.

A lovely walk, enjoyed by all.

 

 

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Responsibilities

Posted on September 28, 2011 by jo

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Two Tone takes his responsibilities towards the alpaca lads very seriously. Yesterday he wouldn’t let them into the new pasture until the others had checked it out! Today he made them sit in the shade after having their lunch.

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New llama field

Posted on September 24, 2011 by jo

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Spent a productive couple of hours cutting access into new field for the llamas.  Hard work, but now we can see what else needs doing, ie a lot!

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