Alpacas in Utopia!

Shearing Results

2010-08-20T14:38:00.000-07:00

In June we had 25 of our alpacas sheared. The baby, Thunderbolt, wasn't shorn because it was still so bloody cold here the shearer advised against it. So he will be a big ball of white fluff until next June! We did get visitors and although I haven't received the results back yet, we expect our micron counts to be low. We've already sold Atreyu's (true black) blanket; all three pounds of it!

Chiloe and Nenana both had their babies on the same day! Maximillian and Camanche Chief are both boys and came out dark brown and light brown, respectively.

Oh the visitors! Nearly every day we have farm tours and we are still waiting for three more babies to be born. Crossing our fingers for female baby suris!

It's closing in on us....

2010-06-12T16:49:00.001-07:00

Shearing begins at 0800 at Utopia Alpacas. I hope everyone comes who wants to; we can really use the help! Martin has been down in the barn putting it all together. We want to have the tarp down, mat sections put together, alpacas brushed and paperwork done. Mitch is going to help as will a few ladies from the Red Hat group on the island, thanks to Dorothy Faydo. Pam Uhlig from Sonshine Alpacas is bringing the shearer and hopefully we will be done by 1130. Possom Trot Farms is bringing two pet alpacas and Kevin and Robin are bringing the 3 boys, Bronx, Soho and Soha. If anyone else wants to come you are welcome to, even if you just want to come and take pics or watch :D

Shearing Time!

2010-05-31T08:28:00.001-07:00

We are preparing for the yearly shearing event on June 15th at 0930. The shearer comes from New Zealand during the shearing season and is incredibly fast. He is kind to the animals. He splays them on a cushion we put on the barn floor and four people hold the ropes to keep them down. Last year only ONE of our alpacas tried to get away. The others all just calmed right down. Even the pregnant mommy he sheared. I think the only one who made a ruckus was Nightdream - she was only a month old at the time! Oh and of course, Sherry had to have her say. If anyone wants to join, we are always looking for help on shearing day.

This year we are not going to have the fiber sorted. I'm torn with what to do next. I would LOVE to send our 1st and 2nd cuts to a mill and get yarn but it is quite expensive. We've had a number of requests for raw fiber; in fact sold a pound yesterday so I'm thinking I may hold some 1st/2nds out for that and send a smaller amount out to a mill.

More later....

Alpacas in Spring

2010-05-05T07:41:00.000-07:00

It is still spring, right? Here in Washington, we've moved past summer into fall. Rain, snow in the mountains, etc. The alpacas are doing very well as they have their lovely fiber to keep them warm. Martin and I are sitting on the edge of our seats waiting for new crias. We have two mommies that should deliver sometime this month. Exciting!!! I am behind in paperwork but slogging through it. My next trick is to figure out how to post pics on the site. Stay tuned! Kim

New Blog!

2010-04-30T11:07:00.001-07:00

Hello all: I've been so behind in keeping people updated on our happenings I decided to start a blog (cause everyone else has one, right?!). It is nearing the time we shear and always welcome help. This year we are shearing on June 21st because I wanted to do it between cria births. We have one cria, 5 weeks old and are expecting another two in May. Then the remaining five are not due until July/August. The new baby's name is Thunderbolt, all white male out of Tyco and Mikimoto Pearl. The reason we wanted to use Tyco is that his fiber is quite fine and he hadn't sired before. He is now proven and the baby's fiber is phenomenal.