Alpaca Tribe

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, I am thinking about the amazing alpaca journey that can begin when we meet our first alpaca. We don't all have the opportunity to keep our own alpacas, but for those fortunate to have some on the farm, they can be a never-ending source of delight. Confidence and curiosity are our best allies but probably in reverse order. Stay curious. But...

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, if you are thinking of keeping alpacas, we suggest you start with what you good at. Consider: Where are you? Where do you want to go? How will you get there? Why do you want to keep alpacas? 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. Alpa...

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, we look at 'normal' alpaca behaviour - starting with their queuing. The RSPCA Five Freedoms and Five Domains give us some pointers about how we can ensure we care for our animals in the best way. Let me know if you come up with any good ideas for extra things we can do for our alpacas. Good news - the Canada Geese' eggs have hatched (3). R...

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! I was hunting for large horseflies, but the alpacas thought I was after them. Not one of my most successful interventions. If you can identify a lifecycle for parasites and pests, you have a chance of breaking or at least interfering with it. It is one good reason for mucking out and collecting alpaca dung and moving it away from where the alpacas are hous...

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, I offer some suggested guidelines for choosing alpacas. If you have any questions, please do let me know. What do you see when you look at an alpaca? Some guidelines (not exhaustive) Buy the best you can afford - but suitable for your purpose. Buy what you like - especially if they are going to be field companions buy for the characteristi...

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! We are done dusted, and the alpacas looked pretty polished, even if I say so myself. They are in good shape this year and, most of the time, appreciate being free of their fleece. It is a significant undertaking but important for their welfare. It is also a harvest of their produce (fibre), and we gathered a lot this year. There are a few - in the process...

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! I have adjusted the old saying to "shear alpacas while the sun shines". We have started - listen in for an update. Sometimes I would like to speak alpaca but some of our alpacas made their feelings known and it is probably just as well I did not understand what they were saying in detail. I think we are friends again now! The sound of the shears gets in yo...

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! Do you ever find yourself saying - what are we going to do with you? This week it triggered a music earworm from The Sound of Music - what are we going to do with a problem like Maria? With your alpacas - what is the best way to solve problems? It depends on the problem, of course, so first, find your problem. This is usually a symptom so check for a deepe...

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, I explore the benefits of limitations and how we see things. Are fences to keep us in or keep them out? It depends on how we choose to look at things. 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...

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, join me 'in the field' watching the alpacas watching me. Sat near the dust bath spot on bankside I am still not sure why this is the best place and why they love it so much - the alpacas tell me it is just how they roll! Thanks for listening, and I hope you enjoyed it. You can contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voi...

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, I reflect on how surprising it feels to consider where I am and how I got here. Could you keep alpacas? Probably but there are some big and smaller questions to consider. Alpacas are a delight but definitely a commitment. Thanks for listening, and I hope you enjoyed it. You can contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a vo...

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, noticing something about your alpacas is the first and most important step. But don't rush to conclusions. Most times, we should hold our conclusions lightly until we get more information. Try to find somewhere to park the question and stay curious. It could be in your head or on your phone. I like BearApp for this (sorry, Apple ecosystem...

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, I talk about the need to provide shelter and what works well. Especially helpful when you have a day of April showers. As well as built shelters, stables or barns, we can provide natural shelter using trees and bushes. And of course, a coat for the very young and very old also helps. Inclement weather = severe, rough, or harsh; stormy Stot...

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! Do you have a favourite place to sit and just be? In the sun, out of the wind, with a cup of tea, coffee or your favourite beverage? Somewhere with a view, or just really comfortable to sit - it is usually somewhere you feel safe and at home. It is like that for alpacas too. Sunbathing, dust bathing and chewing the cud. Alpacas have a favourite spot. If yo...

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! I feel like a work-in-progress; how about you? Here are five things I think make for being a better alpaca shepherd. Courage and its close cousin, boldness Curiosity and its close cousin, teachability. Compassion and its close cousin, empathy. Felxibility and its close cousin, resilience. Organisation and its close cousin, planning. What do you think makes...

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, Most of what we do around our alpacas creates some noise. Some sounds are more comforting than others. How do your alpacas respond to you singing to them? Or is it just me who often sounds foolish and gets funny looks from the alpacas? Humming to them can be problematic unless you are clear about what you are saying in the moment - reassur...

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, I muse on some examples of persistence and how they apply to keeping alpacas. Sometimes we should keep going, sometimes stop. Often we need to pivot. Find some good sources of support and wisdom to help you make your own decision. Take all of the factors into account. Just so you know, I am saying you should only stop something if you choo...

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, a brief update on what's happening in the valley - snow features quite highly - mainly because of its rarity and surprising nature. Plus, hear about our new vet and unloading a feed delivery. Also, a shout-out to our listeners in Norway - I appreciate you listening; thanks to our old vets St James ; and to Kris Cody and the team at https:/...

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, I bring you some sad news about Nia - one of the older girls (almost 15) who we lost this week. Fascinating to see how the herd responds at times like this. They are all thrown and are significantly subdued. Nia was a favourite. They all are of course, but she was a particular one. She will be missed but has been greatly loved and apprecia...

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, I resume my conversation with Rita Soares of Campo Verde Alpacas in Australia. It is incredible how much is the same even at the other end of the world. We talk about climate change and being responsible and knowing when to intervene and when to try to restore balance a little. And spider webs in the home! Thanks for listening, and I hope...

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, I have a catch-up conversation with Rita in Australia with her 37 alpacas. We have had similar questions and musings about what we could do compared to what we wanted to do. When you start keeping alpacas, it is helpful to have an idea of the scale you want to grow to and the kind of activities - such as farm visits - that you want to do w...

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, I invite you to think a bit more about making decisions while keeping your alpacas and some of the things I had to respond to this week. This includes: Do you need to do it now? How are you? How are they? Is it leaning in the right direction? Let me know your decision-making process so we can all learn together to be better alpaca shepherd...

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, we hear Jeremiah tell his story of the new arrival on their farm. I also consider some foundational skills for alpaca shepherds. We need to know specifics such as moving alpacas; holding an alpaca steady without wrangling or strangling; and trimming toenails so they think they have had a spa-treatment pedicure. But underlying those are my...

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, we catch up with my old friend Jeremiah Owen in California. We swap notes on a few things and get to hear what his biggest learnings have been this last year. 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...

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, we talk about those subtle interactions between alpacas - and us! Some people like people-watching, but I prefer alpaca-watching. There is also a catch-up on what has been happening with the girls. 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...