Alpacas are Coming!

So last week, I finally took the plunge and purchased a small herd of suri alpaca. I will be getting 2 gelded males, 4 females, and a bonus male cria who is still nursing. They will arrive August 16. This will give the sheep plenty of time to bond to me and their new home. It will also give me ample time to build another paddock in the barn and acquire the right supplies!

The suris are all coming from the great folks at Whistling Pines Ranch (all photos courtesy WPR). Their animals are all very well cared for and have very lovely fleece, and I can't wait to offer it to you guys next year as part of the CSA!

Gus is a 3-year-old gelded male. He's a beige-y white. His fiber actually has some crimp, and very nice loft. I think spinners will like his fleece a lot because it's not as tightly curled as a lot of suri fleece, and it will probably take dye beautifully!

Running Bear (on the right) is also a gelded male. He's 2 years old and has very fine, very soft fleece. I also think he has the potential to be quite the ham. :)

This light fawn girl is Josie. She's 3 years old. Her fleece has the typical suri curls and beautiful luster. It's also a bit multicolor once you dig your fingers into it! I can't wait to see what her fiber will look like spun up.

WPR tells me 9-year-old Amber really likes to sun her belly. You can see from this photo that she's a bit spotted as well. Her fleece is heathered when shorn. I am very excited about it!

Five-year-old Annabelle has similar fiber to Josie's (they are sisters), but with a bit less density.

Look at Emmy Lou's gorgeous flowing locks! She is also 5-years old, and her fleece has been getting finer and finer with age! She will come to the farm with her cria, Malachi:

Just look at that adorable face! Malachi was born June 12. His chocolate coat is so pretty. I can't wait to see what he looks like full grown!

All of the ladies will be bred before they arrive. A few of them are being exposed to Malachi's sire, so I could get more chocolate babies next summer!

I am beyond excited about these additions to the farm. Still doesn't feel quite real yet. . . .