Shearing day is confirmed for Saturday May 14. We usually get started at around 9am.
If you would like to volunteer let us know.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
Wasn't that a Party!
Winter is still fast upon us, and everyone is hunkered down therefore things are pretty quiet these days.
Although....when I arrived in the barn to do chores yesterday morning I found some very innocent looking alpaca faces standing amid a mess.
The hay boxes in both the male section and female sections of the bran had been turned upside down, the girls had knocked down a couple of railings and even the cat dish was on the floor.
Sometimes it just better not to know....
Although....when I arrived in the barn to do chores yesterday morning I found some very innocent looking alpaca faces standing amid a mess.
The hay boxes in both the male section and female sections of the bran had been turned upside down, the girls had knocked down a couple of railings and even the cat dish was on the floor.
Sometimes it just better not to know....
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Driving a Zamboni
We have been home from our southern escape for a couple of weeks now and winter has settled in full force.
Two of the three barn waterers are still frozen and there are mountains of snow everywhere.
This afternoon I was doing yet more snow clean-up in front of the barn. The tractor doesn't have chains on the tires, one of those fall jobs that didn't get done. With all the layers of snow and rain the area in front of the barn has become a skating rink.
The tractor slipped and skidded as I was blowing snow.
Who hasn't wanted to drive a zamboni?
Two of the three barn waterers are still frozen and there are mountains of snow everywhere.
This afternoon I was doing yet more snow clean-up in front of the barn. The tractor doesn't have chains on the tires, one of those fall jobs that didn't get done. With all the layers of snow and rain the area in front of the barn has become a skating rink.
The tractor slipped and skidded as I was blowing snow.
Who hasn't wanted to drive a zamboni?
Friday, January 21, 2011
Gettin' Outside
We had a couple of round hay bales delivered and strategically placed in the pastures. The critters are enjoying nibbling away at them and it encourages the animals to get outside.
At first they were only curious about what these incredible structures were but once I peeled away a layer of hay they were right at it.
At first they were only curious about what these incredible structures were but once I peeled away a layer of hay they were right at it.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
School days
This year's crop of cria seem to be particularly smart, they have learned to stand quietly while tied after only three lessons.
We are now working on manners; inspecting fibre, lifting feet, and checking teeth and under tails. These activities take a bit more convincing. Little Barolo makes all kinds of interesting camel noises in protest.
We are now working on manners; inspecting fibre, lifting feet, and checking teeth and under tails. These activities take a bit more convincing. Little Barolo makes all kinds of interesting camel noises in protest.
Friday, January 7, 2011
First Yarn
Well, I have started to learn to spin and what a hoot. Spinning takes a sense of rhythm and timing along with manual dexterity and coordination. All of which I do not possess.
Anyway I got through 3 skeins of hand dyed alpaca rovings...you can see the results.
My teacher is appalled to hear that I intend to sell my first efforts. Apparently first yarn is rare because the textures disappear as a spinner improves.
As I don't knit, I'm willing to let a knitter have the fun.
Yahoo! New doors.
Wonderful thanks to the guys who had a direct hand in our new doors.
Ted was instrumental in repairing the doors that took flight in the wind storm, installing new track and re-hanging them.
Don installed a man door in the front of the barn, alleviating the need to struggle of opening the big sliding doors each time we want to get into the barn.
As soon as warm weather arrives the paint brushes will be busy....
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Kindergarten starts again
With weaning complete, school starts again for the cria at Rocaro Alpacas.
Step one is catching each cria and introducing them to their new best friend the halter. If you are familiar with horse halters, cria halters are miniscule in comparison.
Most of the kids took well to the halters; Bartholomew made all kinds of noise and Bacio was none to patient while I found the buckle hole in all her fibre.
They were quick to run outside into the sun as soon as they were "dressed". The halters will stay on for a few days and then lead training begins.
Step one is catching each cria and introducing them to their new best friend the halter. If you are familiar with horse halters, cria halters are miniscule in comparison.
Most of the kids took well to the halters; Bartholomew made all kinds of noise and Bacio was none to patient while I found the buckle hole in all her fibre.
They were quick to run outside into the sun as soon as they were "dressed". The halters will stay on for a few days and then lead training begins.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Newspaper article
Check out the media page on our website for the latest media coverage of Rocaro Alpacas.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Winter weather
Winter has arrived full force at Rocaro Alpacas. We were blessed with 6 inches of wet snow followed immediatley by several inches of rain to equal 6 inches of slush. Yippee!
The day is sunny and cool, perfect weather for pruning trees in the pasture.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Oh, $%#*&
We have had several days of high winds and so far the old barn has stood up to the challenge.
Except for last night, when one of the big front doors blew off.
Not only did it blow off, it is well damaged and took some of the sliding track with it.
Now I am not impressed; it's right before Christmas and I have to find a carpenter (we need the new door to be square) and convince the door company that we need a new runner fast.
Meanwhile the girls look over their gate thinking Hummm, this is new....what should we doooo?Hopefully we are not in for more wind & rain, or worse yet snow or we will be shoveling out the barn. Arrgh!
Weaning time again
We have all this year's cria moved to the "Cria Club" area of the barn to be weaned from their moms, and then start learning some manners (halter & lead training).
The move went well and without too much fuss from either the moms or the babies.
During halter training we will decide who will be going to shows and who will be in our breeding program.
The move went well and without too much fuss from either the moms or the babies.
During halter training we will decide who will be going to shows and who will be in our breeding program.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Jewellery for the Girls
Well, the herd is large enough now that it has become hard to tell some of the critters apart. This is particularly true of the yearling girls and this years' crop of cria.
We found a way to ID those in question with the use of plastic chain and cattle ear tags. We attached the ear tags to the chain, added the name and parentage of the alpaca needing ID to the tag, and attached the chain around the neck.
While not particularly high-fashion, it is serving the purpose.
We found a way to ID those in question with the use of plastic chain and cattle ear tags. We attached the ear tags to the chain, added the name and parentage of the alpaca needing ID to the tag, and attached the chain around the neck.
While not particularly high-fashion, it is serving the purpose.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Alpaca Gargoyles
Add to your herd or start a new herd with one of these cute alpaca gargoyles. These gals are hand crafted clay with plenty of attitude and can be ordered from our webstore. Have a good laugh.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Wolfville Market
Only three more Saturday's at the Wolfville farmers market until Christmas. Come by and visit us on the second floor of the market to get your special christmas gifts. Or as always you can visit our online store. www.rocaroalpacas.ca
Our past 6 weeks at the market have been a great success and now the online and farmstore sales are picking with christmas coming. We have even sold out of somethings.
If you are wanting Duvets, pillows or other bedding products to keep you warm this christmas will need to be ordered soon as free delivery with Canada Post. Extra charge if you want by courier.
This weekend at the market is titled "Get Unscrooged" with special draws and events.
Our past 6 weeks at the market have been a great success and now the online and farmstore sales are picking with christmas coming. We have even sold out of somethings.
If you are wanting Duvets, pillows or other bedding products to keep you warm this christmas will need to be ordered soon as free delivery with Canada Post. Extra charge if you want by courier.
This weekend at the market is titled "Get Unscrooged" with special draws and events.
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