Paul was up at the crack of dawn today seeing as he didn't have to go to his paid job. It was blowing a gale and we had the odd shower first thing but it turned into a really nice day.
Despite the sun shining Molly has hung on again, so there is still a chance for some lucky person out there to grab a bargain. One is almost two and in a fit of March madness I've decided to throw in a free mating to any of our stud boys if she is sold before she gives birth - that's three for the price of one!
Once we were sure nothing was going to occur on the birthing front we headed off to purchase some more feed troughs. Things are getting a bit messy so we thought some extra trough space may help, or at least give Kate something else to spit on.
We've cleaned all the fields which it has to be said is much quicker with two people, Paul can ride the quad whilst I suck up the poo. OK so just in case Paul reads this he did get off the quad once.
Last job of the day was helping out Alan, our farmer friend. His tractor was involved in an accident today, thankfully no-one was hurt except the tractor and the car which collided into it but it meant the beasties were not going to get fed. As we are used to manual bale moving Paul went along to assist.
Thursday, 26 March 2009
Wednesday, 25 March 2009
Still no baby
It has been another sunny day, albeit very windy but Molly still hasn't produced! Alan our farmer friend stopped by this evening for an update as he felt sure she must have obliged in todays sunshine.
There was a fair bit of bulging going on but that was it, I think she must be waiting for Paul. He is off for the next couple of days so hopefully he will get to witness the birth. He's only seen a couple so far so it would be nice.
I have spent most of the day out in the fields, cleaning up hay which seems to get everywhere in the wind, then poo picking which seems to accumulate at an amazing fast pace and generally observing everyone.
Eubank is definitely missing the weanling now they are in their new field, he's gone off his bottle. I think he's making out he's a big boy too, unfortunately the other sheep are far to rough with him yet to leave him with them.
There was a fair bit of bulging going on but that was it, I think she must be waiting for Paul. He is off for the next couple of days so hopefully he will get to witness the birth. He's only seen a couple so far so it would be nice.
I have spent most of the day out in the fields, cleaning up hay which seems to get everywhere in the wind, then poo picking which seems to accumulate at an amazing fast pace and generally observing everyone.
Eubank is definitely missing the weanling now they are in their new field, he's gone off his bottle. I think he's making out he's a big boy too, unfortunately the other sheep are far to rough with him yet to leave him with them.
Tuesday, 24 March 2009
Twiggy's on the pill
Following on from yesterday, I spoke to the vet this morning about Twiggy and we are giving tablets a try for three weeks. Her kidneys and liver are ok at the minute so fingers crossed the tablets will control the thyroid and everything else will be ok.
Twiggy isn't the best cat in the world for taking tablets but it's amazing what will vanish in a little chicken parcel!! So that is tablet number one down (and stayed down), she has to have one twice a day so I think it will be chicken and ham parcels for starters at breakfast and tea time.
On the alpaca front all seems well today, it's been very windy and the girls have been kushed in the dip of the field with their bums to the wind for a fair bit of the afternoon. It's obviously too warm for the shelter. No wonder Molly decided to hold fire on going into labour.
During the night our chicken run got blown over and broke. The chickens are only actually shut in it at night to stop Mr Fox helping himself. The rest of the time the free range all over High Angerton.
Twiggy isn't the best cat in the world for taking tablets but it's amazing what will vanish in a little chicken parcel!! So that is tablet number one down (and stayed down), she has to have one twice a day so I think it will be chicken and ham parcels for starters at breakfast and tea time.
On the alpaca front all seems well today, it's been very windy and the girls have been kushed in the dip of the field with their bums to the wind for a fair bit of the afternoon. It's obviously too warm for the shelter. No wonder Molly decided to hold fire on going into labour.
During the night our chicken run got blown over and broke. The chickens are only actually shut in it at night to stop Mr Fox helping himself. The rest of the time the free range all over High Angerton.
Monday, 23 March 2009
Where has spring gone?
The youngsters seem nicely settled in their new paddock, even Aodhfin, who took great delight in greeting me as I walked along the edge of the field. I'm sure he was reminding me that he didn't like the nasty man that dragged and carried him down there!
Willow is quite clearly finding the last three weeks of her pregnancy hard work, she was the same when she was carrying Chiquita. Like most pregnant women I suppose just wants to get it out now.
Molly very obliging kept her legs crossed, and didn't decide to produce whilst I was at the vets with Twiggy, I think the very cold and windy day put her well and truly off. Its a good job really because any cria would get blown off their little legs. We also had a hail shower this afternoon which caused everyone to go running for shelter.
Going back to Twiggy, my little puddy cat, she was very well behaved at the vets this morning. Sadly the same can't be said for the journey there, before we were half a mile down the road she had been sick then lets just say things got a bit smelly!
Lucky for the vet and everyone else in there I know Twiggy well, and had taken cleaning materials with me and a fresh blanket for her box. It turns out as suspected she does have hypothyroidism. Hopefully it will be treatable with medication and she won't need surgery, but I have got to speak to the vet tomorrow.
Willow is quite clearly finding the last three weeks of her pregnancy hard work, she was the same when she was carrying Chiquita. Like most pregnant women I suppose just wants to get it out now.
Molly very obliging kept her legs crossed, and didn't decide to produce whilst I was at the vets with Twiggy, I think the very cold and windy day put her well and truly off. Its a good job really because any cria would get blown off their little legs. We also had a hail shower this afternoon which caused everyone to go running for shelter.
Going back to Twiggy, my little puddy cat, she was very well behaved at the vets this morning. Sadly the same can't be said for the journey there, before we were half a mile down the road she had been sick then lets just say things got a bit smelly!
Lucky for the vet and everyone else in there I know Twiggy well, and had taken cleaning materials with me and a fresh blanket for her box. It turns out as suspected she does have hypothyroidism. Hopefully it will be treatable with medication and she won't need surgery, but I have got to speak to the vet tomorrow.
Sunday, 22 March 2009
Where did the weekend go?!
Well that's another weekend over and a huge list of jobs completed.
We were up at the crack of dawn, it's amazing how well Paul manages to get up at the weekend - must be the pull of the alpacas! Obviously much better than the call of the office.
Everyone had been fed, watered (or should I say milked), hay filled and hay cleared from the floor all before 9am. After Paul had had his second breakfast we then set about poo sucking so everywhere is (well was) nice and tidy.
I thought Molly might have become a mum on Mothers Day as there was rather a lot of trips to the dung pile with only the odd pellet emerging. She was getting upset if anyone got too close and on one trip to the dung pile you could quite clearly see two feet bulging under the skin. Hopefully she will hang on tomorrow because I have to take poor Twiggy (cat) to the vets first thing.
The youngsters have been on a big adventure today, we have moved them onto fresh grass. This involved their biggest halter training experience yet, as we walked them down our little lane. Other than Aodhfin, who was far too worried, they were all very good and walked nicely, I was so proud of them.
The back fields have now been fertilized, harrowed and are awaiting the forecast rains to spurt them back into growing action.
I'm pleased to say that Eubank has already forgot about his elastic band experience and is back to looking for mischief.
We were up at the crack of dawn, it's amazing how well Paul manages to get up at the weekend - must be the pull of the alpacas! Obviously much better than the call of the office.
Everyone had been fed, watered (or should I say milked), hay filled and hay cleared from the floor all before 9am. After Paul had had his second breakfast we then set about poo sucking so everywhere is (well was) nice and tidy.
I thought Molly might have become a mum on Mothers Day as there was rather a lot of trips to the dung pile with only the odd pellet emerging. She was getting upset if anyone got too close and on one trip to the dung pile you could quite clearly see two feet bulging under the skin. Hopefully she will hang on tomorrow because I have to take poor Twiggy (cat) to the vets first thing.
The youngsters have been on a big adventure today, we have moved them onto fresh grass. This involved their biggest halter training experience yet, as we walked them down our little lane. Other than Aodhfin, who was far too worried, they were all very good and walked nicely, I was so proud of them.
The back fields have now been fertilized, harrowed and are awaiting the forecast rains to spurt them back into growing action.
I'm pleased to say that Eubank has already forgot about his elastic band experience and is back to looking for mischief.
Saturday, 21 March 2009
March sun burn, leaves and elastic bands
Regular Barnacre Alpaca Blog readers will know that Debbie gives an excellent running commentary on our life pursuing the alpaca dream, but every now and again she takes advantage of her higher status and issues the instruction “can you do the blog while I feed Eubank (the foster lamb), ah go on, everyone likes it when you do it” do they?! Well fans here is today’s gripping instalment.
First off, I’m ginger and flowing locks of curly hair are but a memory consigned to pre-salaried years. Nevertheless, I don’t remember the last time I got sunburnt in March. “Proof” I hear you say, well you might have done, or you might not be interested, even so I have the proof that the more engrossed and caring folks demanded. Voila:
They say men can not multi task, well I took a picture of my own red, sunburnt ear whilst holding a piece of white paper for dramatic effect. Proof positive of March sunburn.
That’s one down and three to go (check title, come on, keep up).
About four hours of my life today was dedicated to raking and picking up the autumn and winter leaves that adorn the paddocks to the back of the house. They will make a fantastic base to the compost bins that we have strategically placed like black prototype Daleks. I consoled myself with the thought that firstly the paddocks looked much cleaner (Debbie said she didn’t notice but I won’t hold it against her for many months), the grass will grow quicker and pines cones won’t get stuck in alpaca fleeces as they (the alpacas) deliberately seek out the most fleece damaging sections of grass to have a good old roll on.
I have no trees, nice neighbours, but nasty trees that deliberately shake their leaves all over my paddocks.
Two down.
Poor old Eubank. Today was not one but two elastic bands day. Nope, he wasn’t carefully constructing a model plane made of Balser wood with a propeller powered by elastic bands. It was the day all little boy lambs who haven’t been identified as herdsires, I mean tups/rams (depending on where you live in the country), dread. Oh yes, it was one for the tail and one for, well let’s just say that the crows will have a little meat to go with the eggs that they pinch from next door in a couple of weeks time when some loose change hits the ground. If you’ve lost me on that one, he was castrated. Poor little man, it looked like he was really sad because he’d lost his favourite rat trap, and then was even sadder that it had found him first.
Three out of three, a free photo of my ear to treasure as a gift between internet friends, and hopefully a little smile on your face before you head off to bed. Alternatively, consign this piece of literary insignificance to the bin, just under the leaves in paragraph five and be safe in the knowledge that my superior will be back on duty tomorrow.
Night all.
Paul
First off, I’m ginger and flowing locks of curly hair are but a memory consigned to pre-salaried years. Nevertheless, I don’t remember the last time I got sunburnt in March. “Proof” I hear you say, well you might have done, or you might not be interested, even so I have the proof that the more engrossed and caring folks demanded. Voila:
They say men can not multi task, well I took a picture of my own red, sunburnt ear whilst holding a piece of white paper for dramatic effect. Proof positive of March sunburn.
That’s one down and three to go (check title, come on, keep up).
About four hours of my life today was dedicated to raking and picking up the autumn and winter leaves that adorn the paddocks to the back of the house. They will make a fantastic base to the compost bins that we have strategically placed like black prototype Daleks. I consoled myself with the thought that firstly the paddocks looked much cleaner (Debbie said she didn’t notice but I won’t hold it against her for many months), the grass will grow quicker and pines cones won’t get stuck in alpaca fleeces as they (the alpacas) deliberately seek out the most fleece damaging sections of grass to have a good old roll on.
I have no trees, nice neighbours, but nasty trees that deliberately shake their leaves all over my paddocks.
Two down.
Poor old Eubank. Today was not one but two elastic bands day. Nope, he wasn’t carefully constructing a model plane made of Balser wood with a propeller powered by elastic bands. It was the day all little boy lambs who haven’t been identified as herdsires, I mean tups/rams (depending on where you live in the country), dread. Oh yes, it was one for the tail and one for, well let’s just say that the crows will have a little meat to go with the eggs that they pinch from next door in a couple of weeks time when some loose change hits the ground. If you’ve lost me on that one, he was castrated. Poor little man, it looked like he was really sad because he’d lost his favourite rat trap, and then was even sadder that it had found him first.
Three out of three, a free photo of my ear to treasure as a gift between internet friends, and hopefully a little smile on your face before you head off to bed. Alternatively, consign this piece of literary insignificance to the bin, just under the leaves in paragraph five and be safe in the knowledge that my superior will be back on duty tomorrow.
Night all.
Paul
Friday, 20 March 2009
Zanzibah come to visit
It is the first day of spring today and it has certainly felt like spring has sprung.
I have had a lovely day, the sun has been shining and Jayne from Zanzibah Alpacas in Scotland came to visit with her parents. Jayne & I have been reading and commenting on each others blog for a while now so it was nice to finally meet up and chat alpaca.
Golden Guinea took great delight in posing for the camera, he is such a show off and just knows that he is gorgeous. Hughie, never one to miss a visitor, also took delight in meeting new faces. Jayne thinks we're mean to castrate him - I've passed on her comments to Paul who is the driving force behind said act!
Willow is starting to look like she is finding the later stages of her pregnancy hard work, she had been sun bathing most of the day and seems to have a touch of wind! The baby is obviously pressing on something.
I see we, the BAS that is, is chairman less - so who's the hot favourite for the post then?
Great to see you Jayne, I'm glad you came round to say hello - I know you'll read this!
I have had a lovely day, the sun has been shining and Jayne from Zanzibah Alpacas in Scotland came to visit with her parents. Jayne & I have been reading and commenting on each others blog for a while now so it was nice to finally meet up and chat alpaca.
Golden Guinea took great delight in posing for the camera, he is such a show off and just knows that he is gorgeous. Hughie, never one to miss a visitor, also took delight in meeting new faces. Jayne thinks we're mean to castrate him - I've passed on her comments to Paul who is the driving force behind said act!
Willow is starting to look like she is finding the later stages of her pregnancy hard work, she had been sun bathing most of the day and seems to have a touch of wind! The baby is obviously pressing on something.
I see we, the BAS that is, is chairman less - so who's the hot favourite for the post then?
Great to see you Jayne, I'm glad you came round to say hello - I know you'll read this!
Thursday, 19 March 2009
Flying visit to the supermarket
I nipped out this morning to get some more goats milk for Gaussian and petrol for the quad and muck truck. I don't like venturing far when there is a baby due, so it was a quick run round the supermarket and petrol station and back.
All was well when I return. Molly's cria is still hanging in there, she is spending a lot more time sitting down now and today she has been rolling round on mole hills - we've had an invasion of the mole!!
In fact Molly started a bit of a thing, there was a queue waiting for the mole hill. After Molly went Aria, Willow, Kate (who are due to birth in that order strangely enough) then Gaussian and Nefertiti.
All was well when I return. Molly's cria is still hanging in there, she is spending a lot more time sitting down now and today she has been rolling round on mole hills - we've had an invasion of the mole!!
In fact Molly started a bit of a thing, there was a queue waiting for the mole hill. After Molly went Aria, Willow, Kate (who are due to birth in that order strangely enough) then Gaussian and Nefertiti.
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