Alpaca Tribe

This is the podcast for alpaca people! Sorry, there have been a few gaps recently - I have been capacity-challenged on a number of fronts, but I am pleased to be returning to routines and rhythms with the alpacas. Here is a quick catch-up. 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 i...

This is the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, a quick update on shearing and valley news, including the swans, with a background soundtrack of alpacas feeding. 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 . Thi...

This is the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, I meet up with Danny from Boston. We have known each other for almost 8 years, but met for the first time recently. I got to introduce him to the valley and the alpacas. It was a hoot (as Danny would say). The characteristics of alpaca connections and podcasting connections bear an uncanny resemblance. You can find kindred spirits in lots of...

This is the podcast for alpaca people! If we focus only on the big picture or only on the close-up, we will miss something. We need to do both, just not at the same time. Be guided by what catches your attention, but don't be fooled into thinking just because something demands your attention, it is the most important thing. Lili in the goose yard reminded me to look at both. It was a call-the-vet...

This is the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, I reflect on the intricate dynamics within our alpaca herd and the wildlife that shares our farm. Observing their interactions during breakfast reveals their social structures, while the arrival of swallows and swans captures the seasonal shifts in behaviour. I delve into the delicate balance of territory among species and share poignant mome...

This is the podcast for alpaca people! How did we get to be where we are? The answer is a series of small, potentially inconsequential choices and actions. We can't plan for all the twists and turns, and we can't control many things that take on greater significance in hindsight. For us, keeping alpacas started with seeing some alpacas. We went to check out the idea that became a dream that became...

This is the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, I try to share the rhythm of alpacas. There is time for everything when you are an alpaca. The days, weeks, and more importantly, the seasons teach us a lot about rhythm. But for me, my greatest teachers have been the alpacas. They tend to be a little slower, and saunter is definitely the order of their day. Thanks for listening, and I hope y...

This is the podcast for alpaca people! Spring arrives with ragged edges. Winter has not fully left the stage, but flowers, buds and birds are all busy. Alpacas like the spring too, and as you know, it is one of my favourite times of the year. Come join me. 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 browse...

This is the podcast for alpaca people! I had great plans - but was beaten by the weather. How often does this happen to you? Plans are never fixed when you have alpacas. And any or all of the following can get in your way: Weather - including mud and wet hay, etc cooperation from your alpacas your own focus friends and family, visitors in general So what do you do when you can’t control everything...

This is the podcast for alpaca people! In the last episode, I promised breakfast with the girls. So here it is, as it happened. Enjoy the noisy birds and the mostly well-behaved alpacas. Some nice signs of Spring, but we are definitely not there yet, even though I have seen my first frogspawn! Rita Soares of  Campo Verde alpacas and llamas Many of you know Rita through the podcast. She is a g...

This is the podcast for alpaca people! Growth of and with our alpacas has different aspects. From growing numbers through adding to the herd or multiplying by breeding. Increasing our knowledge. Growing skills and abilities through experience. But the greatest area of growth that underpins all of the others is growing in confidence. Our biggest teachers are the alpacas themselves. Enjoy the journe...

This is the podcast for alpaca people! The new year begins, but is hardly noticed by the alpacas. Just another day. Wet weather turned cold, then snow and ice. The alpacas loved the hay and found a little grazing by following the sun around the valley. It has all gone again, so we can relax for a bit. Starting a new year is a good time to notice the jobs that need doing and anything that seems 'of...

This is the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, join me as I walk around the valley. Enjoy breakfast with the girls, then head out and about up the valley. There is also a video of the walk, which you can watch here . Thanks for being with me through this episode and even through the year. Have a good break over the Christmas period, and I will catch you again in the new year. Thanks for l...

This is the podcast for alpaca people! Welcome to all of you, wherever you are listening, but especially my listeners from Brazil. Thank you. I appreciate it. Alpacas are curious and usually offer us a welcome as we approach. Depending on what we do next, the welcome remains, or our attention becomes unwelcome. Even too much staring at them and paying too much attention can cause them to retreat o...

This is the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, Steve recounts a chaotic food delivery for the alpacas, reflecting on resilience and how to handle frustration in animal care. He introduces us to Hermione, Alys, and Nona, sharing anecdotes that highlight their personalities and daily routines. The episode culminates in the timely arrival of the food, serving as a metaphor for navigating lif...

This is the podcast for alpaca people! The rain has been abundant. I guess that is what made the valley a good site for a Victorian reservoir. Now it is home to our herd of alpacas, ducks and visiting swans. And us of course. Where better to share our lives with all of the amazing animals and wildlife and the rain. Join me. Thanks for listening, and I hope you enjoyed it. You can contact me by ema...

This is the podcast for alpaca people! The tide of vegetation is receding as fall continues to arrive. The alpacas are enjoying the season and so am I. Join me for a walk and talk 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...

This is the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, the welcome early fall sunshine makes it easy to spend time out in the valley with the alpacas. Velvet mites, foxes and badgers, bats, plus some friends from Australia. The valley has been having visitors. Listen in and join me on the farm. Thanks for listening, and I hope you enjoyed it. You can contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com -...

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...