What we did learn, was invaluable. It boils down to a few steps to make the entire process go faster and a lot smoother for everyone involved:. In addition to that above list, I also tried and make sure we had a buddy system in place.
Heartthrob and Onyx are best buddies, so I asked that they go right after each other. The same was true for Bean and Zula. That way they could stay with their buddy as they waited and then be with their buddy right after shearing was finished. We had a large area waiting for them after the shearing so the alpacas could spread out, drink some water, and just relax. If it is a nice day, this will result in many alpacas sunbathing in their new skinny and fiber-free bodies.
At this point, you might be wondering why there is all this fuss about the alpaca fiber. And you would be correct in questioning this process. We tend to treat the alpaca fiber like it is gold because it is the harvest of the farm. I have my fiber processed into yarn at professional mills and then I recruit knitters to whip me up something amazing.
They both possess all the crafting talent that was skipped over me. A few final points you should know about shearing if you are a new of future alpaca farm in the United States:.
The more relaxed you are, the more secure your alpacas will feel. While the alpacas hate the shearing itself, they feel fabulous once done and they roll around happily in the grass. When they are done rolling, they take naps in the sun.
So expect a few sprawled out alpacas sunbathing in the grass. Rebecca is an alpaca farmer who lives on just outside of Traverse City, Michigan. She and her husband left the suburban life of metro Detroit, sold everything they owned, and moved north to start an alpaca farm in After buying their first set of alpacas, the duo fell in love with this magical animal and have jumped fully into the alpaca industry.
We just saw video footage from PETA and it was disturbing. We saw the animals vomiting and being manhandled. What are YOU doing to safeguard the alpacas on your farm? Liza if you read the post above, you would see I mention the PETA video and I specifically talk about our direct interaction to ensure our alpacas are sheared safely and in a loving manner. My husband, son, and I are very involved in the shearing process.
Not only do I personally tell the team which alpacas to shear next so they can stay with their buddies , I stand right next to the alpaca during shearing to provide emotional support and so I know they are well cared for. Then once done, I move towards the open pasture and water, so my alpaca knows where to go to get a drink and run free with their barn mates. I love my alpaca more than I can express in a post comment. They are family to me and I would never let them be treated poorly.
We hire professionals so the shearing process can be efficient, well done, and so we can minimize the impact it has on our alpacas. Our alpacas are not traumatized by the event. Instead, they feel naked and free and immediately start jumping around and rolling on the ground in happiness. Rebecca, great article! Our largest herd was We are down to 12 and one llama. We are no longer breeding…letting them retire along with us!!
I read your story and it is heartwarming. They look like lovely animals and you obviously love them. Alpacas have to be sheared much like grooming a dog. Looking into alpacas myself!!! Enjoyed the stories and the info. Kristen you will not regret entering into an alpaca journey. I start my day drinking coffee with them and I end my night checking on everyone before bed.
Thanks for sharing the info and your love for those cute animals! Maria, I do not know the answer to that question. I would recommend you reach out to a few shearers to see if they know of training sources.
I ended up going to an alpaca outdoor show and saw this and was interested. Talked to the shearer and he recommended taking a week of sheep shearing school. As the inflated price of alpacas comes down to sustainable levels the majority of alpaca farms will soon be looking to cut costs and breed for fiber profitability. With hard work, conservative planning, artistic ability, marketing and salesmanship; the cottage and commercial future of alpaca fiber will thrive.
Here are the key factors: Location: Alpacas eat grass which for the most part is free! Money spent on hay is money out of our pocket. My alpacas are grass fed months out of the year. Yippy, FREE food! A good pasture with quality forage is everything that an alpaca needs to thrive. I do not grain my alpacas unless I have a pregnant dam that is skinny and needs help maintaining weight.
Supplements: Since the pasture is supplying all of the feed it is important to know what vitamins and minerals you may be lacking. Soil samples will help you decide what to supplement. Water: Offering quality fresh clean water to drink is another key. Keep your animals hydrated especially in the winter. Heated buckets in winter are a MUST. Hay is dry and alpacas need water to help the digestion process.
Alpacas will not drink enough water if it is frozen or ice cold. The cost of running a heated bucket is minimal to what a vet visit will cost you should they colic or become anemic.
Also learn how to clip toenails, trim teeth, run fecals, do blood draws, etc yourself. The more you empower yourself the less you pay your vet. Shearing: Finally, what does it cost you to get the fiber OFF the alpaca? Prime Raw Fiber 4. Conclusion: As the inflated price of alpacas comes down to sustainable levels the majority of alpaca farms will soon be looking to cut costs and breed for fiber profitability.
Share this: Twitter Facebook. If you see something wonderful, you should get at least 8 oz of it. How many skeins of yarn do you need for an alpaca? Cria skeins that are so very soft baby alpaca yards each and 2. How much wool does it take to make a roving sweater?
A sheep can produce between 2 and 30 pounds of wool each year. To put that into perspective, one pound of wool can make up to 10 miles of yarn. In the United States, the average weight of a fleece taken off a sheep is over 7 pounds, but it varies from state to state. Yes, you can spin on a three ounce spindle. It just feels heavy! As for me, I usually plan to pack about 1 ounce of fiber onto a spindle.
Alpacas require much less acreage than most other farm animals. Most recommendations suggest around alpacas per acre. Extremely soft, this yarn works well for baby clothes and blankets, as well as knitted items for adults with sensitive skin.
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