Update

plan!

On Friday, I went out to feed them and with no real plan in mind, other than having some fencing erected around the shelter, which could be pulled to once the alpacas went in. The girls came to be fed; followed me inside and just like that I walked out and shut the fencing. I had done it! I was elated.

I left the girls alone for a while so that they could get used to their new set up. I then went and spent time with them to build more trust. I then, with help from family members, put their halter and leads on. This went pretty much to plan, other than Paloma, (Polly for short) who decided that she would jump around while my husband was holding on. My husband, Dave, looked very bemused but he rose to the occasion.

At the same time as doing this, I checked that their bite matched, and that their teeth were okay; that their toes weren't overgrown; checked on their armpits for any redness; their eyes, to ensure they were clear and not discoloured and lastly their weight. The checking of their weight is carried out by placing your hand over the back of the alpaca, towards the rump. You feel for the spine and then feel either side to see if it is flat, sunk or protruding. This then gives you a score between 1 and 5. Ideally, they should be about a 3. The girls were all about a 4, which was great as it showed that they hadn't lost any weight.

After the checks, which were all fine, we took them for a very short walk and I mean a short walk. Harry (my son) took Angel, and she was really well behaved for him. I had Madame Butterfly (Maddy for short), she was a little feisty and decided to lay down on a couple of occasions, but we got there in the end with a firm push from her bum. My husband, as I have already mentioned, had Polly. Well, that was a picture to behold. I so wish I had filmed it to share with you. Dave was meant to be going this way and Polly wanted to go that way and Polly won over! My hubby is such a push over with them! In the end, he was in the middle of the field. Thankfully, when Polly saw the other girls going back into their enclosure, she decided to join them. I think my hubby will need a bit more practice and be a little more assertive, especially as Polly is the smaller and younger of the three.

I decided that as the weather was meant to be pretty bad over the next couple of days, that I would keep them in. This was also a decision to keep building their trust. Therefore, today will be spent with the alpacas. I will also put their halters on again and take them for another very short walk. I am hoping to do this at least once a day over the next week or and see what progress we make. I will update you on my progress next weekend.

I have also been sowing seeds. Some of which are already showing their heads. I have made a make shift mini poly tunnel on top of one of my raised beds, which has worked brilliantly. I used some willow from some of the felled trees and some plastic which was left over from a delivery. Always trying to make do and mend, to help the pocket but also the environment.

I have also been using the alpaca dung on my planters. It is great, as you don’t need to wait for it to mature, you can use it straight away. My broad beans seemed to double in size over night. I am also making some alpaca poo soup ha ha, delightful, I know. I am sure the plants will love it though when I feed them with this pooey nectar.

Anyhow, that is it from me today. I hope you are all keeping well, take care and look after each other.

I hope you like the pictures to accompany the blog.