Alpacalypse Complete!

Annabelle (left) and Josie (right).

This past weekend we welcomed the final two alpacas to the farm: sisters Annabelle and Josie. They're a little hard to tell apart! For now, Josie is just a hair shorter than Annabelle, and she has a darker nose too.

Oh, solo mio! Doesn't Annabelle look like she's singing?

You may remember these ladies were kept back because they hadn't been bred quite yet. Well, we're fairly certain Annabelle is now pregnant, but Josie will remain open this year. At only 3 years old, she has never been bred. Just like any other animal, some are late bloomers. When an alpaca is ready to breed, she'll cush (sit down) for a male who is interested. Josie did no such thing for any of the boys she was exposed to at Whistling Pines Ranch. So of course, what does she do the second she sets foot in my pasture? She immediately cushes for Gus, who doesn't even have the right equipment!

Hi, I'm Josie, and I'm a little stinker.

Gus was very, very interested in her for the first 36 hours or so, orgling at her and chasing her around. I'm not sure if Josie started putting him in his place or he just lost interest after a bit, but I haven't seen him try to mount her since.

The sisters still seem slightly unsure of things around here, and they were really freaked out by the sheep at first! But I think they're starting to settle in. One thing that's been interesting is that ever since they arrived, the whole herd spends way more time outside than usual. That could be just coincidence as the alpacas do love this cooler weather we're having, or maybe they decided 2 more bodies in the barn was just a bit too much for lounging all day.

The herd grazing the NW corner of the pasture.
That's Emmy Lou and one of the sisters (Josie, I think) touching noses in the center.

Either way, I'm glad! I want these guys to eat up as much grass now while they still can. Before too long, their only option is going to be all hay all the time. Plus, more time spent outside means a smaller poo pile inside! Everyone wins!

Frosty morning in the pasture. Winter is coming.