Alpaca Tribe

We ran our first Farm Open Day a few weeks after we had our alpacas arrive. Our faithful friends were interested in seeing them and we were happy to share our delightful new arrivals. We have learnt a lot over the years - mostly how to do it better - here Steve Heatherington shares some of that hard-won experience to hopefully help you get a good start, if you are thinking of having your own Open...

There are many things that can produce that "oh I wish I had one of those!" For me, that includes a good barn - and sometimes flat fields. What might catch your attention and produce that response? Here I share some musings on the theme of barns and how we might use them. An overhang to the roof can be really nice, creating a dry shelter outside area that alpacas will just love and make use of. en...

What do people see when they look at an alpaca? What do you see? Some see a strange alien creature; some see a pet; a fibre producer - or cloud on legs; others see a potential show champion. I see fascinating friends. Take a closer look and you will be rewarded. Look in the eyes, check what is happening with the ears and nose. The feet and body position and tail all communicate. Links Vets 24-7 cl...

CONFIDENT OWNERS What is confidence and how do we get it? Confidence will allow you to get started, overcoming inertia. Know-how; Know-what; Know-why. Alpaca owners are life-long learners. It is OK to question. Five confidence builders: Courses Books Internet Local Groups Community FULFILLED OWNERS Movement from… to… Think back to what attracted you to alpacas originally. Capture it again and purs...

I hope your summer is progressing nicely and the hot weather is being okay for you. My alpacas seem to be spending a lot of time in the stable in the cool – and I like that idea myself. If you’re a regular listener, you will know we are doing a shorter format for the summer. In this episode, I want to share some thoughts about something that is at the heart of Alpaca Tribe, Alpaca Tribe is for alp...

It can be difficult to choose the right animals and remember in a way you are buying the breeder too - at least their support and knowledge to help you as you start on an alpaca journey. Be hungry to learn and keep watching your new charges as they teach you. Hermione; Nicola; Lalana; Juno and Scylla. We took a while to narrow down on our final selection but got there in the end and have had no re...

Show Notes Cria birthing is one of my favourite times of the year. It also comes with a frisson of both excitement and anxiety. Familiarity with numbers of births can help reduce the anxiety but at least for me doesn't lessen the excitement. As you wait for the expected - active inactivity - it is a lovely time for herd watching. Alpacas can be great time wasters. If you are in the middle of cria-...

What have I learned? Millie - to lead, you don't always have to know where you are going. Sometimes it is just enough to step up and be the leader that you are. Megan - make good friends, you are going to need them, and they will need you. There is only one Megan; there is only one you Mair - As important as it is, don’t always put food (or your feet) first. Know what is important and stick to it....

6 months of weekly episodes. You will have your own favourites but here are some of the bits I really liked. This time we consider getting to know your alpacas and making amazing things with the fleece - small and large scale. With time stamped links to the episode the featured guests first appeared on. Time stamp Guest Episode 00:51 Rowan Flindall-Shayle Episode 2 02:04 Victoria Barrett – new own...

Many voices sharing their passion for alpacas. Having been captivated and learning to be more confident in keeping, handling and living with their alpacas. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

Continuing the discussion with Jenny MacHarg we talk about learning with and from your alpacas and the most important piece of equipment on your farm. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

Jenny MacHarg talks about the idyllic day she met her first alpacas - a herd in the Highlands of Scotland - a beautiful defining moment. Since starting with their first few, they have never stopped learning about the theory and more importantly the practice of how to care for alpacas. Their lives are now filled with their award winning herd and regular training courses, combined with their support...

Summary By definition, the unexpected is just that. However, we can both expect and prepare for it as we care for our alpacas. Expect the unexpected. A recent experience with an injured alpaca, where the fleece covered the injury which started attracting flies produced a sudden change. Everything seemed to be under control and then suddenly the vet was on the way to deal with an unknown but clearl...

Julia Berry and her husband started with 4 pregnant female alpacas and now have a herd of 23. Not completely satisfied with the results of someone else spinning her fleece into yarn, Julia decided to learn how to do it herself. She has always loved crafting and delights in the soft buttery feel of alpaca fleece as it is being worked. People sometimes reject alpaca fleece as unsuitable for their ne...

Show Notes Join Steve & Sue Heatherington as they talk through five questions to help you prepare for shearing. When to shear? Are your fields clean? Is your equipment ready I have a shearer coming - what do I need to do? What am I going to use the fleece for? 1. When to shear At the right time. If you do it too early, the cold Spring nights can expose your alpacas, particularly if they are old or...

Victoria Barrett started 10 years ago with three pregnant female alpacas and now enjoys a herd approaching 50 (plus the five llamas!). But relax, you don't have to follow anyone else's journey, you can have you own. Considering what others have done can help you work out what is possible for you and also what you want to do. I hope this episode will do that for you. As well as thinking about how V...

Cotswold Alpacas http://www.cotswoldalpacas.co.uk/index.html Bridget Tibbs Cowley, Cheltenham Penrhallt Alpacas https://www.penrhalltalpacas.co.uk/ Hannah Williams Gower, Swansea Apple Cross Alpacas www.applecrossalpacas.co.uk Julie and Adam Berry Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire ###  Wonderwool Wales https://www.wonderwoolwales.co.uk/home.html A festival of Welsh wool and natural fibres Builth Wells...

Marta Kwasniewicz designs and produces beautiful jewellery with alpaca fibre using a range of techniques including Kumihimo the Japanese braiding technique. Originally from Poland but now living in Norfolk, Marta has developed a range of techniques that she applies to the design and production of jewellery made with alpaca fibre. The techniques include crocheting, tatting, needle felting and kumih...

Ted & Bessie is the great trading name for Catherine Price who designs and produces sustainable and ethical knitwear from alpaca fibre. Hear her talk about the journey and the challenges overcome to achieve this. LINKS Jenny & Howard at Meadow Farm British Hand-made Alpaca Knitwear – JandJ Alpacas For British hand-made alpaca knitwear including scarves and hats please get in touch with Jan...

With 20 years of alpaca experience, Julie Taylor-Browne is a passionate exponent of Camelid Dynamic's kind and practical approach to handling alpacas and llamas. Her heart and ethos come through so clearly along with her infectious enthusiasm. In Julie's view, llamas get an undeserved bad reputation and her suggestion is we all go and make friends with a llama. She loves alpacas too of course and...

I had the chance to make it to the British Alpaca Society Annual Alpaca Show this year. It is a while since I have been and I was looking forward to seeing some familiar faces and making some new aquaintances. It was a three hour journey each way to get to the Telford International Centre but it was worth it. The satnav took me the scenic route - though it insisted it was shorter. I came back via...

Trimming fringes etc - I use Jakoti shears Birthing kit (basics not a full itemised list) Disposable gloves - purple with long cuff Lubrication Gel Scales Harness Iodine Digital thermometer Disposable paper towel (blue roll) Pleated cotton wool bucket conforming bandage Three things to check Feet Fringes Body condition score Three equipment essentials Hurdles Diary or wall planner (to double as a...

Sometimes you start with a thought and you get nudged into it quicker than you were expecting. Jeremiah and his wife had talked about maybe sometime they might get some alpacas but suddenly the option of two who needed a new home started them on their journey. Not uncommonly they came home with seven! It helped out the owner who was having to move state and it started them on their alpaca journey....

Mike Griffiths is an experienced alpaca farmer who has been breeding them since 2001. He has been involved in a wide variety of activities involving alpacas and shares his experience and thoughts on what new owners will find helpful to know. New owners - key things to bear in mind Adequate fencing no access to poisonous plants good shelter fresh water hay good husbandry routine (vaccination and wo...

Steve & Emma Cooper of Tynewedd Alpacas have been steadily advancing their alpaca business in Carmarthenshire, South West Wales. Ringing the changes and knowing his customers, he puts on his sun cream and sells hats and scarves to summer tourists in St David's, while through the winter he has a presence in a more traditional local market. Follow his alpaca journey as we discuss how they have a...