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Friday, June 7, 2013

It has been a very long time since I last posted.  Again, I'll have to say it again, as we get older the time seems to zoom by quicker than my liking.  Here's a few highlights over the last 8 months or so:

  • In June 2012, we bred a few female alpacas, and we are now patiently and anxiously awaiting the babies (cria).  The avg gestation for an alpaca is 335 to 345 days, however some have gone as long as 372 days (here at our place).

  • In Feb 2013, we took a few of our young boys to the annual Florida Alpaca show in Tallahassee.  These involves getting the boys weaned, halter trained and to behave half-way decent in the Show Ring.   Let me just say, we had our moments in the Show Ring.  The boys seem to have a bit of stubborn-streak, and didn't want to enter into the ring.  They were happy as could be in their stall at the show, but to take them into the Ring they didn't want any part of it.  However, we got thru it!

  • In Mar 2013, we headed up to Tennessee to attend the Southern Select - no alpacas with us.  However, we took about 26 lbs of fiber to drop off at a Mill to have yarn and roving made.  Should be getting the yarn and roving in the next week (mid June).  Saw a beautiful light rose grey female at the show - the color was amazing.

  • April 2013 was shearing time.  It couldn't have come soon enough.  Here in Florida, the hot temperatures seem to come a bit early.  The good thing is that we had some chilly temps in the mornings in March and April.  Our newest addition, Kahuna's Casper, produced almost 9 lbs of fiber.  Our beautiful female, May, produced 7 lbs of fiber. The avg was about 4 lbs each alpaca.

  • May 2013 we sold our vacation rental which included our super nice barn.  We did work out a lease arrangement for the barn and back pastures so we will have time to figure out what our best options are at this point.  We really would like to have about 15 acres of land. 

  • June 2013 we are waiting for the crias to arrive.  They are kicking away in their mommas so just a matter of time before they finally arrive.  Will be sure to post pictures when the time finally arrives!



Tuesday, December 4, 2012

How time flies when you're having so much fun!!!  I can't believe it's been over a year since my last posting.  No wonder time flew by on me:

  • We got thru shearing in April with the help of good friends and the Shearing team.
  • We had 9 crias this past Spring, got the male crias weaned.
  • Bred 4 girls this year - 2 of them to our Full Accoyo Sawyer.
  • We acquired a few alpacas this year:  Sawyer, Carmello, Angelita, Zipcode, Tula, Poppie and Sunshine.
  • Our vacation rental is up and running, and have really enjoyed getting to know our guests.
  • We (including the alpacas) got thru the hot and wet summer. 


Coming Up:
  • Identify which alpacas we'll be taking to the Florida Alpaca show in Tallahassee-Feb 2013.
  • Halter training the crias.
  • Find a good hay source and purchase nutritious hay to gear up for winter months.

Based on feedback from our guests, our vacation rental is an excellent way to truly experience the day to day operations of taking care of the alpacas.  Thanks to our guests for allowing us to share what we have learned about the alpacas, and loved learning about what led them to consider alpacas.

Will be more active in posting to the blog - hope you've enjoyed reading!


Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Wow - How Time Speeds By


I cannot believe it has been 3+ months since my last posting.  The crias are getting big, we've acquired a few more beautiful alpacas, and the hot temperatures are finally giving in to cooler temperatures.  The alpacas are loving the cooler weather.  Their fiber is starting to really getting a bit thicker and longer, and yet it's another 5 months before shearing.  Here are recent pictures of the Stormy and Gino - blogged earlier in the summer about their births.  Handsome little fellas. 

Saturday, July 2, 2011

7/2/11


Where did the last 2 weeks go?
Lots has happened here with the alpacas.  Tatalina finally had her cria (baby) on 6/22/11 - just at 53 weeks gestation.  She had a beautiful big boy - 18.3 lbs. and long legs.  The new boy has been named "Stormy Salvia".  The other two young crias (Gino and Zinnia) are doing good - racing around the pastures.  No more crias due until January 2012 so a sigh of relief until then.  Was able to go on a few days of vacation at the beach, and relaxed.

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Wednesday, June 15, 2011

6/15/11

No Cria from Tatalina

It is now 365 days of gestation for Tatalina, and she's is feeling it, especially with the heat and humidity here in Florida.  It has to be any day now.  The two week old cria is a happy go lucky fella and loves to race around the pastures.  He is also very curious as to what the "human" is doing in his pasture.

Monday, June 6, 2011

6/6/11

Still waiting on Tatalina to have her cria - she is approaching 360 days of gestation - almost a full year.  She is very uncomfortable.  We taped her tail so that we could keep a closer eye on the target area - we watch for any swelling which is usually a very good indication of birth.  No signs yet!

6/2/11

Gino seems to be a very healthy boy.  He’s gained weight since birth, and really enjoys nursing.  This morning I found him nursing on another Alpaca mom.  I guess he figures if the milk is there, he’ll take a drink or two.  Also, last evening he was racing in the big pasture with a few of the young alpacas.  They’re like little Formula 1 race cars – sharp turns and all.  On another note, we’re waiting on one more female to give birth.  It should be any day.  She is waddling around like she is going to burst.  I’m sure she is thinking the same thing as we are – the cria cannot come soon enough. 


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