Re: [AlpacaTalk] fleece stat averages
Hi Emaly,
Well, of course gelding depends on many factors like
conformation, microns, etc...but microns are probably
a large factor. Some people say that gelding keeps the
microns lower, but I have heard that running up and
down the fence stresses the males and keeps the micron
lower. It all depends on who you talk to.
We are having most of our 1 year old males in the last
few years around 17 microns and rarely over 20. For
some reason, our yearling girls are about 20 microns,
but we did have one at 17. We feed them a bit more
since they will need extra for pregnancy, which may
account for the higher micron?
We have 3 year old males at 17-20 microns and 5 year
olds at 21 microns.
Fleece mills like animals that are between 20-25
microns. It is easier on the equipment. Below 20
breaks and is hard to work with, so the finer fleece
is better for hand spinners. The most important thing
is to have the fiber sorted according to microns since
a typical blanket can vary in microns as many as 5
microns or more. Crimp style affects the processing,
so the more uniform the crimp is the easier to
process.
Grid samples are good when selecting an animal, so if
the fiber is selected from many areas of the blanket
and the microns are all about the same, then you know
your animal is uniform. This is important when
choosing breeding stock so that the offspring are also
uniform...but for a gelding, it is only important to
make that particular fleece quicker and easier to
process.
I am sorry if this sounds school marmy to you, but I
don't know what you know and don't know.
Stephanie
Stardust Alpacas
Creswell, OR
--- Emaly Leak <llamapyr25@earthlin
> I am on the search for a new fiber alpaca, and want
> to make sure that I'm
> getting the best fleeced animal that I can find.
> What would you estimate to
> be averages for a fleece shorn at 1 year old, 2
> years old, & 3 years old?
> What about microns at each year? Even rough
> estimates would be greatly
> appreciated- I don't know much about the particulars
> of alpaca fleece! For
> reference, this would be for a gelded white huacaya
> male (I know color can
> make a difference in microns). Thanks for any
> information you can share.
>
>
>
> Emaly Leak
>
> Autumn Hill Llamas & Fiber
>
> llamapyr25@earthlin
>
> www.autumnhillllama
> <http://www.autumnhi
>
> Fairland, IN
>
> Llamas, Alpacas, German Angora Rabbits, and Fiber
> Items
>
> Female & Male Llamas For Sale
>
> Outside Breedings available to ALSA Halter Champion
> Male
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been
> removed]
>
>
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posted by Chaddo at 4:14 PM
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