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Sunday, October 07, 2007

Re: [AlpacaTalk] shearing table


Hi Janice,

You can also try hand shearing them, to at least get the fiber off their blanket area during the hot summer months.? You can use Fisker scissors (I have found them at the grocery store), or any scissors really - having a spring in them like the Fiskar helps because you only have to push them, rather than push and them pull them open for the next?cut.

I have done this to one or two of my girls over the years - one had a broken leg, the other was due in a month (and yes, I know, many people shear unless there are nose and toes sticking out, but we don't have really hot summers so I can get away with it) or they were older girls and I didn't want them sheared to the skin because they grow fiber so slowly.? I create a small pen - maybe 5' by 5', if they are halterbroke I put a halter on and have my son hold them.? If not, I just grab a chunk of fiber, snip, and follow them about in the pen until they cush, which they all have so far.? Once they cush, its easy - just trim away.? I start at the back by the withers and work my way back and down.

Heidi Christensen
WingNut Farm Alpacas
Graham WA
(253) 846-2168 or (253) 592-0200
www.wingnut-alpacas.com

-----Original Message-----
From: houckj@aol.com
To: AlpacaTalk@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sun, 7 Oct 2007 11:27 am
Subject: [AlpacaTalk] shearing table

I am really appreciating all the discussion lately on alpaca heatlh. I had
signed onto this list back in the summer when I lost my female and then the
baby. A computer friend (I am not a computer or internet person) did some
searching for me, altho she knows nothing about alpacas, and found this list for me
and some info on BVD somewhere which she suggested from her reading might be a
problem in my herd. But the list seemed to be only about alpacas for sale
and was otherwise silent. I am so appreciative of the posts this week. It is
so helpful to read what others do and to know there is a wealth of support and
info available.

But this post is to request any information on a shearing table. In the past
I have hired someone to come over and shear my alpacas. He is getting too
expensive and I could not have it done this summer. It was extremely hot and
extremely stressful summer. I ended up hosing them down 2x a day and purchasing
a huge industrial fan and running a long extension cord out to the woods for
them (this alone cost me as much as the shearing would have!). It is clear
that I *must* begin doing these tasks myself. As mentioned in another post the
only time they get their toenails trimmed is when they are being sheared. The
guy that does this for me is very gentle; he uses a huge soft rubber mat and
tie out stakes to tie their legs. Still it takes both his wife and myself to
hold the pacas gently but firmly and be soothing them while he works. I do
the nail trimming myself. So I know I can do it ..... when they are restrained.

I have heard there is a table you walk them up to and lean them on and then
it goes horizontal and I guess you somehow restrain them on it. It sounds
quite expensive to me. Can anyone here tell me more?

Anyway, it is really a relief to be able to communicate with other paca
people. I am just a small hobby alpaca lover who desparately wants to keep them
happy, healthy and alive!

Thanks, Janice

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