Sunday 27 March 2011

Alpaca fencing, Spit offs and Tractors...a busy weekend

At last...we have new paddocks...with the latest fencing jobs nearly all complete, we were able to move the girls on to fresh grass this morning. I suspect that the fencing contractor has been rather enjoying his work here...especially with the weanlings to help...in fact he asked if he could be around to see the girls being moved...he is certainly intrigued by the alpacas and visa versa.


The Weanlings helping out


Pacing out the lengths

The girls enjoying the new paddock...with Velvet joining in
After spending a lot of time considering what to do about the dry stone wall around the perimeter of the new field, the solution was quite simple. I was concerned not only about the height of the wall but also the stability of the stones along the top. The solution pig netting at four feet...obvious really:


Dry stone wall with pig netting at four foot

Lots of new gates

After reading Rosemary's blog (Westhill Alpacas) this morning about spitting off (to check the pregnancy state of some of her females); I couldn't resist doing the same. We won't be doing any matings for at least another month but I was intrigued to see if Cambridge Camilla (Explorer's dam) and Silverstream Galaxy were pregnant, as both have been quite serene of late...too nice to be pregnant? Thankfully not. Both spat off convincingly. Very good news as both girls are pregnant to EPC Top Account of Fowberry.

This afternoon we had a trip to the North East to view a tractor...Paul's idea would you believe...we are now the owners of a Massey Ferguson 240, a 6ft roller, some chain harrows on a frame (easier than what we have been using) and a transport box, to go with the topper we already have. I think taking back the extra land has made Paul realise that it will be easier to have our own kit, rather than rely on contractors...either that or the sunshine has gone to his head!

6 comments:

  1. Thanks Rosemary...photo problem was this end!

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  2. Worth the wait for those photos!
    Those gates are gorgeous - I want some of them!!

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  3. A great shot of Velvet & the girls. Velvet obviously considers herself one of the herd now! Shirley & Robbie

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  4. The fencing looks fantastic...its actually gatetastic !!.....and Im just that little bit confused .com.....as the minature alpaca with rather big ears.....at high speed running with the herd.....has Velvet learned to 'Pronk' yet !!.......hehe......maybe the sunshine has gone to Pauls head...all that shopping...I thought men didn't like shopping !!.......at this rate...Barbara you will have to take control of the cheque book !!......Jayne

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  5. Exciting times, who gets to drive the tractor? Can Andy have a go? It may stop him asking for a grey Massey Ferguson, or a quad with all the attachments..

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  6. Forgive her - she know not what she says.

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