Alpacas now enjoying the sun

Here are some pictures of the alpacas enjoying the sun. Before at this time of day they were hiding out under the shade trees. Now they are laying out in the sun, grazing in the sun, playing and enjoying themselves. I brought out the sprinkler; not because they looked hot, but because they love the water. Oh, and I also found out that before I had hosed them off incorrectly. You do not run water over their back before they have been shorn. This actually over heats them having all that water over their heavy fleece. You are suppose to only get their underbellies wet. That is where their cooling gauge is at also. It would be best to use a hose and do it yourself. If you set up a sprinkler going about 2 ft high, they will just lie down under it and get their top fleece wet.
So here are the pictures!!

Bishop is very curious and checks out the camera

Check out the awesome goatee that John Merrell left on Bishop!

Pray for patience and luck

Okay, tomorrow is the day. Mike and I are going to attempt to shear some of our alpacas. I do have a few volunteers for some help (or an audience to laugh at us). We haven't got in the better combs, but a 10 tooth comb did come with the cutters. They will work. I have a bone to pick with the company I ordered the combs through. I paid for three day delivery which would have been Friday and now today is Saturday and there are no combs. I ordered three different ones from Sheepshear.com.
We definitely will need all the prayers we can have for infinite patience with ourselves, each other, the alpacas, and the equipment. Pray that everything goes smoothly, equipment works properly, the alpacas are calm and cooperative, no injuries to the alpacas or ourselves, and that we actually have fun.
I thank the Lord for all the helpers we can get. There is lots to do.

Alpacas can be dodos

The other day I went down to the Alpaca pasture to give them fresh water. I stood at the fence confused as to where the water bucket went... Then I saw the bucket. It was hanging around the neck of the little black alpaca like a cow bell. He was not happy. He is usually very lovey, but he was so upset about the bucket that I had to catch him in a big bear hug to pull the bucket up and over his head.
Then yesterday I was feeding the alpacas their grain in the morning. Ole blue eyes was inhaling the feed so quickly that he suddenly began to choke. The kids immediately knew that something was wrong. Joseph was especially upset and clung to my legs crying (which made it hard to react to the alpaca). At first the alpaca wasn't breathing and his eyes started rolling around. He was drooling and foaming like nothing Ive ever seen. He actually came up towards me, perhaps looking for assistance. I was seconds from action (thank goodness not quite there) when he suddenly heaved a horrible sound and explosively vomited everywhere. Now that really upset the kids. And that really smelled terrible. At that point he was making noise and coughing so I assumed since he was able to breathe that I should see if he could work it out. He continued hacking and drooling for about 10 minutes or so. He stayed by me and I kept talking to him to encourage him to work it out. I don't think he would have appreciated my approach too much. He was making this awful screaming sound like he was panicked. It was a horrible sight and I don't think Ill soon forget that. I was pretty sure at first that Ole Blue Eyes was going to die.
So today my husband built a covered hay holder. I think he did a fabulous job. It looks better than the ones I found on the internet. He made his out of wood and it holds nearly an entire 2 string bale of hay safe from the rain. I want to modify it to include a second trough for pellet seed in the morning. I heard you can put 3 inch smooth stone in it to help ensure that they dont choke on the pellet like Ole Blue Eyes did. The hay holder was really easy to build and I think its done really well. Ill take some pictures and post it.

Alpacas for sale

No no no. Not all of them. We never intended on keeping all 12. We want to have anywhere between 3 and 6...maybe 8. lol. We bought 12 with the intention of reselling some to offset the cost of the equipment, barn and alpacas. After the running of the alpacas, I went out to tell Mike that dinner was ready. I saw the neighbor lady who had helped us that evening and her husband peeking through the thick shrubs at the alpacas. They saw me see them and began to retreat back to their house. I waved at them inviting them to come over. They wanted to know what they were and what you could do with them. I summarized the alpaca trade for him, but let him know that these were just pet males, so there would be no breeding. We just don't have the time on our hands or the substantial out of pocket to purchase the pregnant females. They said that they had been looking for some animal to maintain the back of their property as they don't use it. At first they were just interested in opening the fence line and letting our animals graze back there, but then they were so taken by them that they said that they would like to consider buying two. Their boy, who looks about 10 really enjoyed them and had the alpacas eating out of his hand. We let him in to be near them and he got to pet a few of them. He really enjoyed them. The mother just wanted to do some research first. I'm sure she just wants to make sure that our price is not a rip off. Once she sees that our prices are excellent I'm sure they will be back. Yesterday I saw the husband out there looking like he was clearing a fence line.
I posted at ad that should begin to appear on Thursday. Its suppose to show up in all the local papers in 17 areas. We are considering perhaps selling alpaca pets as a business. Pets or for fiber. I cant believe how soft their fiber is. I'm going to call our tax advisor to see what incentives we could get on income and property taxes. Once everything is set up, it will all go so smoothly. It would be so much fun to have an alpaca pet ranch.

Running of the Alpacas

Sorry these blogs are late... Ive just been sooo busy with the alpacas, at night I'm pretty tired.
We decided the other night that we were going to move the alpacas to a second enclosure in the back of the property. I was hoping to have a few of them halter trained before we attempted this, but they are eating much more of the grass than we were lead to believe they would so quickly. With the second enclosure more than 75 feet away and no trailer to transport them, we had to come up with a plan of how to move them best. I decided to call the large alpaca ranch that we purchased them from and ask how they usually moved them and what they suggested. They said not to worry. The alpacas are herding animals. Even if you don't have any of them halter trained it wont be a problem. Just line up obstacles where you don't want them to go. Have one person lead and another walk behind them and they should follow the leader. Great. Sounds good. We put Joseph and Emily in the house so they wouldn't spook them and I carried Ethan. Mike carried the little trough of pellet seed, which is like a treat for them. Mike opened the gate and he started to lead them out. All looked good as they followed Mike out investigating the feed trough. They sampled the grass as they walked. I was admiring how beautiful they were as I walked behind them scooting along stragglers. A few of them turned to check what I was doing and then check where Mike was. I started to get the feeling that something wasn't quite right. The alpacas started cutting to the right and I walked over to keep them in line. Sure enough they straightened back out on course. My gut still told me that this was not right. The alpacas were shifting there watch from Mike to me and then I saw them take a long look around them. One last look at Mike and my positions and they started pressing Mikes position. They cut around him to the right, totally ignoring the pellets he was shaking in the trough to get their attention. Suddenly one pressed forward from the center and they were off at a run. I was so surprised. They were not supposed to do that. I watched them run for about 30 feet as they reached full run. That's when it set in that they were out of control. I looked over at Mike, his mouth open and shaking the feed trough still. I could see the shock clearly in his face. Only by the grace of God did they not cut to the right were the main road was and easy freedom to town and the highway. They cut to the left to the back of the property. I was hopeful that they would run into the 2nd enclosure that we had created in the back, but they cut to the wrong side of the trees. There was still a remnant of the old fencing around most of the property, but there were gaps to the right in the rear. I prayed the the heavy shrubbery and bushes would conceal this. I watched as they ran full speed kicking their feet in the air in excitement and ran to the rear of the property into the shrubbery. I kept chanting in my head, they don't challenge fences, they don't challenge fences... As they approached the overgrown old fence in the rear, they slowed to a stop. I sighed a momentary relief as they turned back to our property. Suddenly my gut wrenched as they turned back towards us at a run. It was like slow motion in my mind. The leaders eyeing Mike and my locations, the open spaces... Their fleece flowing up and down with each running step they took. Their padded feet made a surprising thudding sound as they ran. It was quite impressive. I was holding Ethan, but I made my best attempt to spread out my arms to discourage them from running past me. Thankfully the property was more narrow just past the dry creek bed, so Mike and I ran to this location to try and hold them off and force them to the back again, perhaps this time they would run into the enclosure. As they ran at me full speed all I could think was that they could not pass me. It seemed like eternity, but as they reached where I was standing they veered and ran back to the rear of the property again. Again they missed the enclosure. They ran at us again. This time they were more bold and got closer before they turned and ran to the back again. I thought they were gone. I wasn't sure if I could hold them off again. My brain was racing. How could we save this? Mike said he was going to run to the neighbors. I started to panic. What happens when they run at me and see that Mike is gone? There was no way that I could keep them there by myself. Mike reached the neighbors back door in record speed and pounded on it with surprising force. By the time the mother reached the door, Mike was already running back to our property. He yelled to her asking for her help to corral them. Then the alpacas gathered, ready for another run. Mike made it just in time to discourage them from passing. They ran to the right side of the property where there was no fence. They nestled themselves into the shrubbery, not noticing there was no fence yet. I started to panic more (I wouldn't have thought that was possible before that moment). I didn't know what the neighbors property looked like. Was it fenced? How easily could they get to the road in front of their house? To my amazement two of the lie down in the grass behind the shrubbery. One of them rolled on the neighbors young sapling they had planted. I looked over at the neighbor as she WALKED over and I stifled the urge to yell at her to run. Her two boys were soon running out the door to come assist as well. Mike yelled at them to create a wall and pointed out the enclosure. They didn't seem to know anything about them and I think they were nervous that they were going to get stampeded. The alpacas started to press further into the neighbors property. Mike started to make a run for the dry creek bed to get them to stop, but I think that the neighbor boy's playground frightened them from going any further. Out from their hiding they came and they made another run out to the center of the property before turning to make a run at us again. As they began their run, the neighbor lady finally made it into a position and the boys were steps behind. The alpacas seemed taken aback that there were suddenly more of us. They slowed rapidly and assessed the situation. Trying a new route, they made a run past the enclosure opening between the trees and realized that there was fencing on that side of the property. They turned and began a slow run back to the center. Before they could cross the trees and pass the enclosure opening again, I made a run at them to force them to turn and run where they were at. Thank God it worked and all but two of them ran into the enclosure, while the other two made it around the tree to the back of the property. Mike ran and closed the fence. What a relief! We were not worried about the remaining two as they will just hang around the fence trying to join the herd again. I profusely thanked the neighbors for helping. It seemed like the herd was loose forever, but the whole ordeal probably lasted 7 to 10 minutes at the most. As the neighbors went back to their dinner, my knees suddenly went wobbly and my stomach hurt. Mike was stuttering. He said all he could see was us chasing down the alpacas through town. The herd illuminating in the headlights of the car before they run away again. We were both exhausted. I couldnt help but to tell the alpacas that they were STINKERS. I felt terrible to put them in an enclosure after seeing them run so freely. It was truely a beautiful sight. I wished that we had that 10 acre farm instead of the couple acres that we do have. Im currently trying to get mike to give up all of the back property to them. I keep seeing them running in my mind. Kicking their heels up, fleece flowing as they ran, rolling in the grass - it was so beautiful.

Alpacas are delivered

So Mike didnt quite get the barn ready. A small strip was left undone on the roofing plywood. No roofing tiles or paint or any other finishing touches...But the alpacas have a place to get out of heavy rain fall and such.

They were delivered this morning in a red trailer. They were so cute and traveled so well. Of course the 12 of them started eating the grass...and eating...and eating. It was kind of funny how much they were eating. Until we realized that we were going to have to make the second pin ASAP!

Barn update

Here is the progress of the barn thus far. The last picture was taken about an hour ago. My husband is out there right now working on it. We opted to make the peak nice and tall rather than squatter at the top.

So, this is what it looks like right now. Good news though, they are delivering the alpacas on Friday, June 8th now. They had a delay in the delivery, so now we have another week to complete it!

Looking Good

After a few days of pondering and scratching his head, we have some progress. Mike just couldnt figure out what angles to put the roof at to have it look proper. We wanted a taller point, not the more squaty looking roof top, but we just couldnt figure the math out in our head. So I got on the internet looking for ideas. I mashed a few of the ideas together and came up with 112.5 degrees on the inside point of the roof. But how long to make each board? The best idea we could come up with is to cut the angle and mock it all up on the ground. There we marked out on the ground where the barn would stand and marked the halfway point for the roof peak. Then we didnt get much farther. Until yesterday! My mother and her husband, Wayne, came over to visit the grandkids. Wayne spent some time out in the shop helping Mike to figure out all the angles and stayed to help raise up a complete rafter after setting up the template for Mike. It was wonderful to see it being built again. Now Im getting a bit hopful that it will be done it time.

Mike and his hammer Vs Time

Our alpacas are supposed to be delivered in about a week and a half. Well...My husband just started working on building their shelter. We decided to build a 10x12 red barn with a loft for storage and no doors (otherwise the alpacas wouldnt want to use it for being dark). Shall we take wagers on who will win? My husband completing the shed in time for the alpacas, or will time win the race?
Okay, I tried to upload some photos of Mikes progress so that you may better gage your wager BUT its not cooperating। So Ill add those in later। Basically he has the framing of the two side walls done। He has the back 12ft wall to do, frame in the roof, build the loft, add the siding, and shingle the roof. Mmmmm....

This is in the morning...

And this is in the evening...
Updated: After work this evening, Mike completed the framing to the back wall of the barn. Ill have a picture in the morning. It was a bit dark when he stopped. Maybe he's more motivated than I had thought?

Here is the updated picture for completed work on Thursday.

Studly sweet alpaca

Here is one of our alpacas. All 12 are to be delivered in about a week or so. Then we will name them and Ill share a picture of them all together.

While the husband is away

Oh, the things I find to spend my time while my husband is away on business. I decided since I didn't have him to talk to... Ill talk to you! No place to loose my journal, and this way is a lot more fun.
We just recently moved out here into God's country and it is certainly a piece of heaven! We decided to fence off some of the space and buy some alpacas for the kids. We went looking to buy no more than three...but we ended up with 12. They were just sooo soft and beautiful! They make this odd yet sweet hummm sound when they are happy together. I just couldn't resist. So I nicknamed our property "the salt farm" until further notice. Too bad the kids won't be able to help too much for now, but at least they will have fun. I have four children. My eldest, Hope, is 12 and has two homes (I am her step-mother). She is here every other weekend. My second daughter is 3, Emily, my first son, Joseph, is two next month, and my baby boy, Ethan, is going to be one in july.
Yes, I certainly have my hands full but I would gladly have more. However, I get very ill when Im pregnant. Not my MS, that actually goes into a silent state while Im pregnant (of course the doctors don't know why or how women do this when they are pregnant). I get hyperemises gravidarium, which is the fancy word for throw up everything your made of for nine months. My last child was the worst. He landed me in the hospital for weeks at a time. Its lots of meds, ivs at home, and it is so stressful on the family. The church was what saved us my last pregnancy. So many wonderful women stepped forward to come help, clean, cook and care for my children. My step mother (God bless her) even came to live with us part of my ugly first trimester. My second pregnancy wasnt too bad. I didnt have to be hospitalized. The ER care and the meds were able to keep things controlled well enough. This extreme is only found in roughly 3% of pregnancies and less than half of those extend beyond the 21 week mark. So I figure that my children owe me with an easy childhood. lol.