Magic Charm

Well I've survived...I've survived the BAS Stage 2 Judges course that is...actually I rather enjoyed myself. I'm not pretending it's isn't a bit scary, because it is; and talking into a tennis ball on the end of a stick, and pretending that it is a microphone whilst you are being videoed, isn't for the faint hearted! But it's a bit like bungee jumping I guess...frightening and exhilarating at the same time...and you can't pretend that you are not relieved when it is all over.

The reason that it is so enjoyable is mainly because of the tutors. The main tutors are judges; Liz (Barlow) and Nick (Harrington-Smith) but we also has Jay (Holland) and Mary-Jo (Smith) who have qualified more recently and can remember the stress levels. The course really is a jam packed couple of days but they managed to keep us smiling, whilst whipping us into shape. It really is well worth doing I have learned so much.

I didn't manage to see our new girls whilst we were at Bozedown Alpacas, as the timetable was very tight. However, Mary-Jo did give me some photos for our website. As I said on the last blog we did end up purchasing two females at The Alpaca Classic. We had at the time thought that Bozedown Magic Charm had been sold to a higher bidder, whereas she hadn't actually met her reserve. Hence, we have been able to add her to the Beck Brow core herd after all.

 

 Bozedown Magic Charm

 Fleece of Bozedown Magic Charm (2012 fleece stats: 20.2m SD 3.8 CV 18.7 CF 98.4%...amazingly low SD on a two year-old mid fawn!)

Magic Charm has Galaxy of Bozedown as her sire; genetics that I have been looking to have in our herd for a while now. She is pregnant to Bozedown Omen (a potential stud male would be good please!). We are also fortunate to have Galaxy of Bozedown genetics in our other purchase; Bozedown Celestrial. Her sire is Comet II (gs Galaxy of Bozedown) and she is pregnant to Bozedown Patriot (another a stud male please!)

 Bozedown Celestrial

Bozedown Celestrial's fleece (2012 fleece stats: 18.3m SD 3.3 CV 18.1 CF 99.8%...another very low SD and hopefully a perfect partner for Beck Brow Explorer)

Having decided to stay an extra night after the course, rather than drive back on a Friday evening, I was beginning to doubt my decision when it took me six and a half hours to get home yesterday (it took me four hours and 20 minutes to get there) but I guess it would have been worse when tired and in the dark. Consequently, I am all for having an easy day today. Despite being tired, I have missed Sox and Lullaby and was up for the 6am feed (I am sure Sox is more friendly than when I left...I think someone has been petting her!!)

Paul (yes, he has been in charge) had done some faecal egg sampling whilst I was away, and found the herd to be in  good health. Thus, we have decided not to worm just yet, but everyone has had a spray of Eprinex (4%) between the toes and on their ears as mite prevention this morning. It did take rather a long time... as I kept testing out my judging skills on all our alpacas...I am pleased to say that they got a thumbs up!

Comings and Goings...

Life seems to be none stop alpaca these days, and that's just the way I like it to be. However, I seem to have had little time to blog nor to take any photos (not that it has stopped raining for long enough). So just a quick catch up before I set off to Bozedown Alpacas (near Reading) for the next level of the BAS judging course. Hopefully I might get a glimpse of my new girls bought at the Alpaca Classic last month...yes notice the plural...more on that another time.

Saturday saw me stewarding at the Yorkshire Alpaca Group Show. An early start, but after last year 's entries (110) the 75 alpacas who attended this year, were inspected and ready to go in record time. Well done Tina and Julia on a well organised show, and a big thanks to everyone who stewarded (all very slick!). The fancy dress alpaca class is always a great draw with the crowds. Now, some of us attend these shows with our our eye on the cup...the Supreme Championship one that is...but for our friends at Cockerham Alpacas I suspect this was the one they were after....winner of the cup for best fancy dress....a runaway winner...Charles Henderson with Cockerham Mr Bojangles!

Sunday we had a very sociable day. Firstly we went to visit a family who have purchased some females from us, and wanted some advice regarding division of their land. They have a fantastic set up and I know the girls will be very happy there (always good to know in advance where they will be going ). We had a lovely time talking alpaca and were treated to a very nice lunch too. Exciting times ahead.

We dashed back just before Bev and Andy arrived from Lane House Alpcas in Yorkshire. After some cria inspections (Domingo was favourite...as Noah's brother there may have been just a little bias), and bottle feeding, we headed off down to The Pheasant at Cumwhitton for some rather nice pub grub. Now that's what a call a great day!

Monday and more alpaca chatter with a visit from another new owner. I did say that I had sold one of my favourite alpacas...it is a female...it is one that I thought that I would be keeping forever. However, I always say that I match alpacas to prospective buyers needs; so when someone came looking for a female who would make a pair of females (bought at auction) in to a happier group of three...Minnie seemed to fit the bill. I know, lovely, friendly, sweet Minnie...but she is going to a new owner who has a wealth of animal husbandry experience...she will be well looked after, and will only be 20 minutes away.

The photo of Minnie and Robyn used on our business cards

Now, should I replace her with some new genetics....someone perfect for Beck Brow Explorer....the perfect girl might just be available...she has the perfect pedigree for him...too tempting to resist?

The DNA kit is ear!

We have been enjoying some lovely weather up North this week...October has been good to us...until yesterday that is; we are now back to heavy rain, and just when I had arranged to get some cria fleece shots taken. I have decided to keep a photographic record of all our cria fleeces at 3-4 months of age, and monitor how they change. We have in the past sold 'pet boys' at a very young age, but this year there are one or two who really could go either way...pet boy/stud male? This is making the decision to sell or not to sell difficult. Last year we kept hold of Quintos and his second fleece has come back really well...definitely stud male potential.

I think this year I will just notify all the males with Grassroots, and fully register those who make the stud male grade at a later date. I am pleased to see that BAS are now encouraging DNA testing of stud males, and are trying to improve the accuracy of recorded  parentage. The new notification process (the owner of the stud male get an email informing them of any progeny registered to their male) is an improvement, but still leaves a lot to trust. So practising what I preach, I sent off for the DNA kit for Beck Brow Explorer (our other males have all been DNA tested). The kit only costs £25 + VAT, the problem is collecting the blood. Has anyone taken a blood sample from a vein in the ear? Is it easy to get? I know that I am a nurse but patients don't have fleece!

We have had alpaca visitors most days this week, which has been lovely. However, I really need to do some revision before the next stage of the judge's course which is next week. It will have to wait until Monday now. I am Chief Steward at the YAG show tomorrow, which means I will have to get there bright and early (that means I will be setting the alarm for 4.45am!). On Sunday we are paying a visit to a lovely couple who are just about to start on their alpaca adventure. We are going to look at farm set up...well Paul is, he is the practical one; the engineer. I just like nice fencing!

Some photos of the boys...fleece shots to follow!

Beck Brow Marco...look at those cute ears!

 Beck Brow Foxy Sox (yes she is a girl) same ears but more eye liner!

Beck Brow Advantage (same dam as Beck Brow Explorer)

 

Beck Brow Paulo (nice fleece!)

 

Beck Brow Bendrago

 Beck Brow Pedro

 

Beck Brow Testimony...shares his dam with Quintos and is equally sweet (nice fleece too!)

Missing from the male line up are Domingo and Shackleton...sorry boys missed taking your photo.

Last Chance Salon!

It's been a big weekend here...well a big birthday to be precise.... as Paul celebrated his 50th birthday on Saturday. We spent the evening with family at Sharrow Bay Hotel on Lake Ullswater. The 10 course tasting menu, with wine to accompany each course, ensured that we had a jolly time!

This didn't stop us fitting in some work around the celebrations; on Saturday morning Explorer had a mobile mating booked in. I expect this will be his last mating of the year as time is passing on (although he does already have a number of bookings for next year). We made the decision to not go past the end of September with our own matings, hence it was with fingers crossed that we spat off Metisha on Sunday. Metisha was left empty last winter and had become a little chunky...well not a little...she really is a Fatso! Consequently getting her pregnant has been troublesome...we have been trying since April...she ovulates....then sits again...we have tried with Explorer....we have tried with St Patrick...but no. So this pregnancy spit off to Explorer really was the last chance saloon. YES...at last...phew!

Fat Lass Metisha behind her daughter Adelle...how did she get so lardy on restricted pasture?

Maybe she should try sharing the same blade of grass as Sophie and Blanche are doing.

With unusually good weather for October...actually for any month this year in Cumbria...we decided to get some promotional photos of Beck Brow Explorer, post his latest Supreme Championship win at Westmorland. We know from experience that Explorer does not do 'wearing a sash'. So the best we could hope for was one sash on his back and the rest displayed. Ninety eight photos were taken...this is the best one...yes, I know...stupid boy!

                                        Some of Beck Brow Explorer's stash...but no Explorer!

In the last blog I mentioned that I needed to consider making some Beck Brow females available for sale...always a tough decision. Having recently witnessed the auction at the Alpaca Classic at Bozedown Alpacas, where prices averaged 8000gs, it was obvious that the demand for top quality alpacas is strong. I believe that what  made that auction special, was that the breeders were prepared to release some of their seed stock (top) alpacas for sale.

So, I made the decision; so long as I still owned the dam/ daughter or sister, then we would be willing to release any of the girls ( there were two exceptions - Cambridge Camilla and daughter Beck Brow Rumour Has It and EP Cambridge Lady Gaga and her daughter Beck Brow Snooty Boots, as I wish to expand these two lines, but will be releasing their progeny). This has meant that we have sold some of our top females who are pregnant to both Beck Brow Explorer and Waradene St Patrick. I am sure we will be meeting these alpacas in the show ring...and I will be as excited as their new owners. With seven females sold in the last couple of weeks I am afraid we are now unable to release any more females until next year...and we now have a depleted show team for 2013!

Alpaca scarves and doves!

It's been another alpaca filled weekend, with visitors both Saturday and Sunday. I have sold an alpaca...an alpaca which I said would never be for sale...an alpaca that we all love. No not Explorer, he most definitely is staying...it is a female, but I best say no more for now.

The online shop has also been busy. I think winter must be looming! Our latest range of scarves arrived on Friday. Woven for us in Scottish Borders, on antique wooden looms, they are unique to us. It is always exciting (if a little nerve-racking) opening the boxes. These scarves (or wraps -  they are very generous) have a much less brushed finish, when compared to the last range we had made. I have already chosen one for myself (I know wearing the potential profit!)

Just one of the new Beck Brow Alpacas scarf designs

I know that I need to make some females available for sale, we have had a lot of interest lately. I don't normally advertise particular females, as I like to try to match alpacas to potential buyers individual needs if I can. I will stick with this approach at present, but there a few that will not be on the list. One of those is Rumour Has It (if for no other reason that Amanda would be VERY mad indeed) she has made it into the core herd.

Beck Brow Rumour Has It...Guess who I share my Mum with?

Yes, Beck Brow Explorer

Burton Constable April (black) much more confident and now very much part of the Beck Brow herd.

Beck Brow Finesse...pretty!

I have let the doves go free. I took down the cage and waited...waited for them fly gracefully around the farm...waited for them to enjoy their new freedom...and I waited. Three hours later they ventured from the hutch to the roof of the shed, a few meters away. Sometimes they walk (yes walk, not fly) up to the top of the roof. Not quite as entertaining as I had expected, but at least they haven't flown away.

The doves

An Update

Just a quick blog, as thank goodness we have had no further drama on the alpaca front. Foxy Sox is fully recovered, and is full of life; if a bit damp. Yes, we have had a month's worth of rain in 24 hours, hence no photos today. We have boggy fields and very soggy alpacas, the beck is like a river, but no damage here.

Rain seems to have been the theme of the summer, and looks like continuing into the autumn. So to get us through the winter months, we have booked a holiday for February 2013. Okay, I know it's a long time away, but I can feel the Mauritian sun on my back already!

Yesterday was a productive day, having finished sorting through fleece, it is now on it's way to the Border Mill. It actually took me longer to sort out the haulage, than it did to skirt the fleece. But I managed to get 89 kilos sent for only £35...not bad eh (first quote was £212!!!). It was a case of more parcels of lighter weights being the cheapest in the end. I do find using Parcels2Go the best company for price comparison.

I also had a visit from two lovely ladies, who had rang to ask if they could purchase a small amount of fleece for spinning. The rain didn't dampen their spirits, and after feeding Sox and Lullaby, they went away having purchased two large throws, and with plans to purchase some males! Sometimes it is only when other people get excited about what you are doing, that it reminds you of how lucky you are!

We have given up all hope of Roma caring for Sox. Sometimes if Roma can't see her, she looks out for her, but then appears to be disappointed when she spots her..."dam still here!". Now, I know that you are going to think that I am making this up...but I swear that I have seen this on more that one occassion...Galaxy (Roma's mum) pushes Roma's head towards Sox when Sox is near to her...and then looks annoyed with Roma when Sox is ignored...but that's alpacas for you...and why we love them.

Everyone got their selenium drench at the weekend. The dark coloured alpacas have had Vit A,D&E, and all of the herd will start on monthly injections from the end of the month. Just a few more spit offs to do, and that feels like the end of the summer. Won't be long before I am mixing sugarbeet!

Cria Colic

Thank you for all your kind comments and suggestions on my last blog. The postmortem results were helpful, not least because they gave us some reassurance that the problem was not something herd wide. However, the lost of an alpaca, especially a cria, does leave you vulnerable to over reaction. So when Sox came in with the rest of the herd yesterday morning, and promptly collapsed in a heap amongst the poo; the scream could be heard through the valleys.

She had appeared absolutely fine when she was fed at 6.00am. Oh no, this had signs of deja vue. I shouted for Paul to call for the vet, but then she came back round and seemed okay. We cancelled the vet, thinking that she had just been knocked on entering the barn, and that I had been over sensistive after the lost of Kitten.

We gave her a good examination, all appeared okay and her temperature was within normal range. However, last week we had been concerned about not seeing her pass faeces for some time. She hadn't been straining, but nor had we seen any poo (granted we are not in the paddock 24/7). So last Friday we had given her a soapy enema, with a good result. Hence we decided to do the same again. But as soon as we had given it to her she collapsed again. The vet was recalled and Soxs had a further 4 episodes of complete collapse before the vet arrived. Watching her it looked to me like colicky pain, but so severe that it was causing her to collapse. We gave her some Finadyne whilst waiting for the vet to arrive, as well as some water with electrolytes.

Buscopan was given intravenously by the vet with good effect, and a Microlax enema was also given. However, Buscopan has a short life and within a couple of hours the pain had returned (although not quite as severe as before, but enough to have a writhing about). A different vet arrived this time, equipped with an ultrasound machine. The good news; no complete obstruction was found, nor any perforation, but lots of faecal matter and gas within the intestines was seen. Sox was given a further I.V dose of Buscopan and 1 litre of Normal Saline. She was also given I.V. Norodine just in case there was some parasitic involvement that wasn't presenting itself as diarrohea yet.

To say I was a little stressed yesterday would be an understatement. It is impossible not to get overly attached to any hand reared cria, and when you are her only mum it is especially so, but in addition to that she is just gorgeous. Even the vet was smitten. But Sox is a fighter and is much better today. She is continuing on oral Norodine and live goats yoghurt. She is taking her bottles well, but we are feeding her small amounts 2 hourly. I have also given her some Lactulose to see if that will help loosen things.

Fortunately for Sox, although she may not have a mum who loves her, all of the other cria certainly do. Lullaby has totally adopted her, and is always watching out for her. But the sweetest thing yesterday was Domingo, he knew she was sick, and spent all his time beside her, letting her sleep with her head on his back.

Beck Brow Domingo caring for Beck Brow Foxy Sox. Ironically that is Beck Brow Roma (Sox's mum) lying asleep behind them without a care in the world!

Beck Brow Domingo taking his duties very seriously - wondering why Marco has stood up (Lullaby foreground)

 Beck Brow Foxy Sox today

 

A lovely sight - Lullaby and Sox running off together after being fed.

As we are getting late in the year, we decided to spit off all of the females this morning. As Explorer is so well behaved, he always gets the job (but he did get 2 matings in return for his efforts). We have the potential to have 33 births next year if all of our females get pregnant, and retain their pregnancies (unlikely with 20% loses being the average), but on the pregnancy front things are going well. Our only failure is Easter-Wood Metisha. It is a shame as we purchased her with Explorer in mind. Unfortunately, she came to us empty, and she has got rather lardy, increasingly so as time as gone on and we have failed to get her pregnant. We have tried her with St Patrick as well as Explorer, but both boys have failed. She ovulates but doesn't get pregnant. I think that we have left it too late to get her slimmed down now. How annoying when she has been mated since May.

We have mated Roma with Explorer, she was totally loved up, so lets hope that she loves her cria next year. We did decide to mate Lucie (the girl who had the prolapse) a couple of weeks ago, however she seemed a bit fidgity when being mated, so after 7 minutes Explorer was removed. However, she also spat off at her pregnancy spit off! All of the spit offs went very smoothly, we have a great system going where the girls are fed past Explorer...he sniffs...they spit...NEXT! I do however have a rather large bruise. I forgot that we have a new girl. I like to think that my girls like me...it may be more a case of not biting the hand that feeds you...but they don't kick...the new girl Ardo Jet?...Ouch!

Finally; maybe we can excuse Paul this year when he gets his cria identification wrong....Waradene St Patrick of EPC is certainly producing look-a-likes...good job that he is a handsome boy!!

Beck Brow Advantage with Beck Brow Paulo in front.

P.S Fingers crossed that I will have no more cria health blogs for a long time please.