Two Busy Weekends and Another to Come

("smile for the camera" - a cute goat from the fiber festival)

Goodness how busy I've been! So much to write that I think I'll have to do it in segments. Where to start:

This weekend we travelled ALOT! On Friday we travelled an hour and a half (one way) across the state line to pick up a new partridge silkie hen. I lost my Eleanor a few months back and have been looking for another, as one silkie hen just doesn't seem like enough. She's pretty cute and we refer to her as the "new" Eleanor. Some may think that recycling a name is a dumb thing to do, especially if you're other one died, but I have to tell you...new names are more difficult to come by that one might think. So she's 'Eleanor the second' in memory of my wonderful first partridge silkie hen.

Saturday we went BACK across state lines to a fiber festival in upstate Ohio. It was quite the drive (120 miles one way!), but I came home with 10 pounds of unprocessed sheep's wool and 5 pounds of a gorgeous gray alpaca fleece. Give me fiber, and I'm a happy girl! I've been processing a good bit of alpaca fleece lately. Today was my first experience washing a sheep fleece. For what it lacks in cost, it sure makes up for in washing. It's very different to process. It will take some practice, but I can't wait to dye and spin it. Our travels were extended another 60 or so miles on the way home as we swung up to Butler to pick up a dozen silkie eggs to stick under my broody silkie hen, Delilah. She just finished raising a clutch of six (who need to find new homes) and had already been found in the coop making nest. It's a little crowded in the coop right now with all the new chickens, so we've created her own little protected sanctuary in the corner in a big old dog cage that keeps everyone else out. Though her chicks are certainly old enough to be on their own (and almost twice her size now), they still seem to want to be close to mom sometime.

Last weekend was an exciting one on the alpaca farm. But that will have to wait for another day, as my bedtime has come and gone, and 6am will come far too soon for my liking.

Alpaca Shearing

"Don't we look nice with our new haircuts?"

Today was one of the big shearing days at Highland Alpaca. We were fortunate to be able to take part in the event, as the one thing we've been wanting was more interaction with the animals. We got it! Thirty two alpacas shorn in eight hours! We may be exhausted and sore, but happy to have gained this experience. Other than the owners of Highland, there were five of us plus the two shearers. We were hopping!

On deck to be shorn; wondering if he really wants any part of this.

Working well as a team helped things to move very smoothly. Below is an action shot. The goal in the operation is to make the shearing as quick and stress-free for the alpaca as possible. Perhaps "stress-less" would be a better term to use as the process is definitely not stress-free for them. While it is being shorn, the alpaca is stretched between ropes that are connected to their legs on two opposite ends. This isn't being cruel folks, but actually helps to calm the animal down while stretching the skin to make shearing quicker and safer. Because of all the helping hands present today, we were able to get one alpaca ready whilst another was being shorn. The less time on the mat, the less stress endured.

Most of the fleece will be sent to a mill be be processed into yarn or roving. But some of the blankets (around the chest and back of the alpaca) are shorn in one big piece, spread out, then wrapped up to be judged at a show.

Laying out the fleece, cut side up.

The first time we visited Highland Alpaca it was raining, and I don't think that we fully got the scope of the number of animals residing there. At least I know I didn't. Today I gained a much greater appreciation of all the hard work that Fay and Jenny, the owners of Highland, have put into building their farm. I can't wait to start my own. I don't think it will be long now. These animals have stolen my heart!

If you have never met an alpaca (or even if you have and want to see them again), Highland will be having an Open Barn Day on Saturday June 19th from 11am to 4pm. Come on out! I'll be there spinning. It's great fun for both adults and kids! Click here to get directions! Hope to see you there!