Alpaca Tribe

This is the podcast for alpaca people! Join me for a typical day with the alpacas and the associated chores. It is a delight on a sunny autumn morning with so many Robins singing their hearts out. As well as a revisit by the Swan and some of our Canada Geese, there was a Kingfisher, which sat still long enough to grab a blurry snap. A delight. See the website for the photo. Thanks for listening, a...

This is the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, I want to talk about how alpacas sit and why. Alpacas love to sit, which is called cushing. They gather their legs underneath them and look very comfortable. Often they will be chewing the cud while cushed. It is a bit like having a sit-down for a cup of tea – just alpaca style. Sometimes they do it to opt out – we all feel like that sometime...

This is the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, the season change has come quickly here in the valley with the alpacas. Listen to catch up on what has been happening with the herd. Thanks for listening, and I hope you enjoyed it. You can contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser. Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Wat...

This is the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, I'm considering what a good number of alpacas is. Probably the first answer is going to be... more! They are somewhat addictive and a delight, so why not have more? There are a number of factors to consider, but they mostly revolve around space - how much physical space for grazing and for shelter, and metaphorically about how much space, or...

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! We had a named storm pass through, but today is calm, still and sunny. A perfect day for breakfast with the girls. Why don't you join me? Nona was enjoying the pile of hay she claimed - she does like her hay. Later, after I put all the food out and spread it about for the girls, they settled down, but before that, Nona and Hermione got into a spit-spat. Hu...

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, I offer a tip for dealing with overwhelm, suggest ways to learn more about alpaca behaviour, and explain looking out for which one starts the drift. There is also an update on the herd and life in the valley. For valley news, you can also check out my Substack " View From The Valley ". Thanks for listening, and I hope you enjoyed it. You c...

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, I continue reflecting on the cria birthing season and how we can be prepared. This includes talking to some people, including your vet, reading up and taking some courses - probably too late for this season, but there is always next year. Birthing kits I talked about them in some previous episodes. Check out: Episode 13 – Topical Alpaca Ti...

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! Memories abound of the magic of alpaca births. Mostly straightforward, but I always liked to be around to be available to help when needed. Cria watch can be stressful but hourly checks for signs of births and labour means you are likely to be there when needed. Keep it light and keep your distance to avoid stressing the mums. Thanks for listening, and I h...

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! The weather has warmed, bringing some flies. Including an early appearance by the large horseflies usually reserved for a week in July. I sorted one out that was feeding from Efa. I hope she will forgive me for chasing her around to catch the fly. When alpaca herds grow, it is either because more are added - a general challenge for all alpaca owners, to re...

I am delighted to report that the shearing is finished for another year. It was physically demanding but less so than in some previous years. The alpacas have just about forgiven me, but a few are still looking at me suspiciously and giving me a wider berth than usual during feeding time. Dry fleece is essential for both shearing and storing the fleece. The week of dry, sunny weather helped. Also...

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, I consider the difficulty of doing some alpaca jobs alone. There is also a valley update about the new ready-made family of geese joining the number one family. Thanks for listening, and I hope you enjoyed it. You can contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser. Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produce...

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! Beautiful spring mornings with the alpacas are a delight. Recognising that we are all connected to the life around us is an important reason to slow down, take a breath, and be present. I have learned so much from living with alpacas, and slowing down is definitely one of the best. Thanks for listening, and I hope you enjoyed it. You can contact me by emai...

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! We don't really know what is going on inside the head of an alpaca. What are they thinking? What do they think of us? It doesn't stop us trying to speak alpaca, though. And if you can spend time around your alpacas, you stand a better chance of connecting. When you do, it is a bit magical. Spring continues to gather pace and there are more signs of its arr...

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! Podcast update The frequency of the Alpaca Tribe podcast will be changing from May 2025. It will become every two weeks rather than weekly. The alternate weeks will be filled by a new podcast called View From The Valley, which will focus on the 'other' things, leaving Alpaca Tribe to focus more on the alpacas. I would love to know what you think. Valley up...

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, following on my conversation with Rita of Campo Verde Alpacas and Llamas , we turned to ageing alpacas and owners and what Rita has planned for down on the farm later in the year. Check out the Campo Verde Instagram feed for some lovely videos of Rita, the Llamas, and the Alpacas. Thanks for listening, and I hope you enjoyed it. You can co...

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, Listen in as I catch up with Rita Soares in Victoria, Australia and hear about the arrival of Llamas at Campo Verde Alpacas and Llamas . More to come in the future. It is well worth checking out Rita's photos and videos on her Instagram feed - https://www.instagram.com/campoverdealpacas/ I was also reminded of my episode with Kristin Llama...

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, Spring continues to arrive. Which makes you think of Spring cleaning and updating tools and equipment. How are things on the farm with you? Thanks for listening, and I hope you enjoyed it. You can contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser. Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heathering...

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, I have been musing about growth. How soon the grass starts growing is a prime factor in judging when spring has arrived. The interplay of the essentials of moisture, sun and soil temperature determines how much growth, if any, the grass makes and how soon. Ours seems to have slowed down - disappointing but nothing to do but wait. Sufficien...

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! Confident and fulfilled owners of happy and healthy alpacas. It is why I do the podcast and I know it is a work in progress. One of the most significant things which helped me in my early days of trying to become a good alpaca shepherd, was doing Camelidynamics Training with Marty McGee Bennett . Here is a reworking of a previous interview with her. Also,...

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, you can join me as we talk Spring, field shelters and things that make you smile. Thanks for listening, and I hope you enjoyed it. You can contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser. Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Waterside Voices . This podcast uses the following...

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! Today was a weather day with a bit of everything. Very Spring-like. What kind of weather protection do alpacas need? In addition to field shelters, natural shelter-belt from trees and bushes are really helpful. Protection is needed from the rain/wind/sun. Thanks for listening, and I hope you enjoyed it. You can contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com -...

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! Listen in to this episode as I consider expectations. Everyone has expectations including you and your alpacas. What we do and how can affect them every time. Build your alpacas' expectations of you being a safe person. Plan your interactions to create good, and appropriate expectations for yourself. From my experience thngs cost 1/3 more than we would lik...

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! Like all of us, alpacas thrive on familarity and the expected plus variety now and again. What kind of variety could you bring to the mix for your alpacas. Listen in and let me share some thoughts. These include what they need as basics - food, water, shelter. But also stimulation and interest. They are naturally curious and delight in something new. Rita...

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! Sitting with the alpacas you can zone out but still be present. A delight to spend time with them and notice what is happening in the valley. Thanks for listening, and I hope you enjoyed it. You can contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser. Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Watersid...

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, Changing tack when sailing allows us to take advantage of the wind. How do you know when to tack? I share some thoughts about making decisions and factors that can influence it. There is also an update on happenings in the valley. Listen in, you are most welcome. Alpaca Feed We are now using the vitality alpaca mix from Waterhouse Feeds an...