Free Alpacas Newsletter- How to Profit from Alpaca Farming

Thursday, February 03, 2011

Re: [AlpacaTalk] Fleece and Shearing Question

 

All very good advice, however I will say that for show fleeces, you definitely do not want to blow vm and debris out with a leaf blower or shopvac on blow. For show fleeces, you will have to carefully hand-pick the debris out and keep it very much intact and organized. 



Heather

Heather Zeleny
White Lotus Alpacas
Oregon

Holistic Farm and Elite Fleece





On Feb 3, 2011, at 8:41 AM, jessica67401 wrote:

 

I am a newbie to Alpacas so bear with me on these questions. I have 3 Alpacas that I just recently purchased. I have always loved Alpacas and we bought them more as pets than anything. I do spin and knit so they will be my own personal fiber supply and I hope enough left over to help suppliment the cost of thier food and care.

As I'm sure you know, they love to roll around in the dirt and leaves and such and they currently have all sorts of VM stuck in their fleece. Do I need to be concerned with trying to get it all out before they are sheared or do I need to somehow try to prevent them from getting dirty in the first place?

Also, I have heard there are places where you can send the fleece to have it tested for microns and such. Where can I learn more information about that?

Again, I'm new to all this so pardon my ignorance but apart from the fleece I will be processing myself where does one send thier fleece to have it processed and how much does something like that cost?


__._,_.___
Recent Activity:
Message posts are the opinion of individuals posting and are not necessarily endorsed or approved by Yahoo! or the moderator of this group. The purpose of this discussion group is to ensure that all points of view can be aired. It is the responsibility of all individuals who post to treat others with respect and civility.
.

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posted by Chaddo at 8:35 PM 0 comments

Free Alpacas Newsletter- How to Profit from Alpaca Farming

Re: [AlpacaTalk] Fleece and Shearing Question

 

When we shear we try to get as much out before shearing as possible. We tried the vacuum but couldn't get enough power to get it all out. Now we use a leaf blower! lol sounds funny but it works! we get out the majority before shearing, do all the skirting while shearing, and then after shearing the blanket fibers get put into the tumbler which removes most everything including vegetable matter, second cuts, and even guard hair. 
Our fiber is easily sold to handspinners as it is hand-spin ready. We spend lots of time with it, but it makes for a better product...

Congrats on your new alpacas! And good luck

Leslie Unruh 
A to Z Alpacas
www.atozalpacas.com (under construction)
www.atozalpacas.etsy.com



--- On Thu, 2/3/11, jessica67401 <jessica67401@yahoo.com> wrote:

From: jessica67401 <jessica67401@yahoo.com>
Subject: [AlpacaTalk] Fleece and Shearing Question
To: AlpacaTalk@yahoogroups.com
Received: Thursday, February 3, 2011, 11:41 AM

 

I am a newbie to Alpacas so bear with me on these questions. I have 3 Alpacas that I just recently purchased. I have always loved Alpacas and we bought them more as pets than anything. I do spin and knit so they will be my own personal fiber supply and I hope enough left over to help suppliment the cost of thier food and care.

As I'm sure you know, they love to roll around in the dirt and leaves and such and they currently have all sorts of VM stuck in their fleece. Do I need to be concerned with trying to get it all out before they are sheared or do I need to somehow try to prevent them from getting dirty in the first place?

Also, I have heard there are places where you can send the fleece to have it tested for microns and such. Where can I learn more information about that?

Again, I'm new to all this so pardon my ignorance but apart from the fleece I will be processing myself where does one send thier fleece to have it processed and how much does something like that cost?


__._,_.___
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Message posts are the opinion of individuals posting and are not necessarily endorsed or approved by Yahoo! or the moderator of this group. The purpose of this discussion group is to ensure that all points of view can be aired. It is the responsibility of all individuals who post to treat others with respect and civility.
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posted by Chaddo at 8:29 PM 0 comments

Free Alpacas Newsletter- How to Profit from Alpaca Farming

RE: [AlpacaTalk] Re: Fleece and Shearing Question

 

Hi Jessica!
 
Welcome to the world of alpacas!  You'll love em!  We started in April 2008 and bought ours sight unseen.  Yes, that was not a good idea, but we love our girls and all the babies they've given us.  We were just so excited about getting alpacas that I let my heart make a site unseen purchase!!  You didn't mention whether they are registered with the ARI?  If you plan on keeping most of the animals and just doing fiber, then it's not so important.  But, if planning on raising to sell someday...most want registerable babies or adults.  I see a lot of the mills state that if you send dirty fiber they may send it back if too dirty.  They will also charge you more if they have to clean your fiber of VM before processing it.  It gets quite expensive if you send dirty fiber.  I have all my fiber in my basement waiting to find a mill close by and having the courage to send it in and see what I'll be charged for processing!  It can range from $25 to $45 a pound to make it into yarn.  I am always afraid there will be hidden fees??  I may try the mill in Michigan...the one that starts with a "Z".  The alpacas are a herd animal and feel more comfortable with pen mates.  The female is prime breeding age and they can breed any time of the year.  If you have them in the same pen....she may already be bred.  I would watch this summer and see if you have a FOURTH alpaca!!!   LOL!  Nature will take it's course!  You should read the articles and chats on the alpaca sites.  I learned a lot from reading the blogs on "alpacanation" where people chat about all subjects of raising and taking care of alpacas. I also set up an inexpensive website through "intuit" and it's a lot of fun.  Down the road you may want to set up a website to share your adventures and alpaca products with the rest of us!  Have fun and I guess you had probably be thinking about a "BABY" "CRIA" name!!  Take care!  Wish we were closer.  I have made several friends in the area and we share in the spring shearing chores by helping at each others farms.  Oh, and if you are considering trying to shear yourself.....unless you have a lot of money to spend on the proper shears....like I found out were expensive....well, it's worth the $25 to $30 per animal to have a professional do it!  Your animals will be much prettier looking for the rest of the summer!!  :)  
 
Take Care!
Jody 

Jody Ehler
Solon, IA 52333
J & J Alpacas
Check out our adorable alpacas!
www.jandjalpacas.com
 
 



 

 







 

To: AlpacaTalk@yahoogroups.com
From: jessica67401@yahoo.com
Date: Fri, 4 Feb 2011 00:38:16 +0000
Subject: [AlpacaTalk] Re: Fleece and Shearing Question

 

I have a 1 girl who is 3 a boy who is seven and a rather elderly gelding who is 14. Right now while I am learning they will be for fiber. I would like to try breeding some day though. Incidently, the people I got them from said they wont just "do it" out in the open. They have a rather large 3 sided enclosure but I have a gate that divides it into 2 sides if I want to. The previous owner said if I wanted to try to mate them I'd need to give them an enclosed private area. Has that been your experience or do you think I need to keep them seperate? Oh and for everyone who asked I am in Central Oklahoma

> Good luck. Sounds like fun. I have only been an alpaca
> owner/breeder since October 2008. We started with five and have grown to 21
> and a llama. We had four for four crias born healthy this year..3 girls and
> a boy. I have two female Suris and two male Suris and the rest Huacaya.
> Love them all!
>
> Laura...still working on our website..a work in progress
>
> www.Rhalfpintfarm.com <http://www.rhalfpintfarm.com/>
>
>
>
>
>
> Laura Roberts
>
> R Half Pint Farm
>
> Spotsylvania, VA
>
>
>
> _____
>
> From: AlpacaTalk@yahoogroups.com [mailto:AlpacaTalk@yahoogroups.com] On
> Behalf Of jessica67401
> Sent: Thursday, February 03, 2011 11:42 AM
> To: AlpacaTalk@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [AlpacaTalk] Fleece and Shearing Question
>
>
>
>
>
> I am a newbie to Alpacas so bear with me on these questions. I have 3
> Alpacas that I just recently purchased. I have always loved Alpacas and we
> bought them more as pets than anything. I do spin and knit so they will be
> my own personal fiber supply and I hope enough left over to help suppliment
> the cost of thier food and care.
>
> As I'm sure you know, they love to roll around in the dirt and leaves and
> such and they currently have all sorts of VM stuck in their fleece. Do I
> need to be concerned with trying to get it all out before they are sheared
> or do I need to somehow try to prevent them from getting dirty in the first
> place?
>
> Also, I have heard there are places where you can send the fleece to have it
> tested for microns and such. Where can I learn more information about that?
>
> Again, I'm new to all this so pardon my ignorance but apart from the fleece
> I will be processing myself where does one send thier fleece to have it
> processed and how much does something like that cost?
>


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posted by Chaddo at 6:17 PM 0 comments

Free Alpacas Newsletter- How to Profit from Alpaca Farming

Re: [AlpacaTalk] Re: Fleece and Shearing Question

 

Yes Jan!!!  Steve is a good suggestion.I second that.Jessica I can get you more contact information for Steve. Would you like that Jessica??

Tina Hunt 636-459-8930



From: Jan Davis <jandavis@derwyddalpacas.com>
To: AlpacaTalk@yahoogroups.com
Cc: "Hull, Steve" <steve@timberlakefarms.net>
Sent: Thu, February 3, 2011 6:56:54 PM
Subject: Re: [AlpacaTalk] Re: Fleece and Shearing Question

you have been misinformed that breeding must take place covertly. an
open female and a healthy stud will have NO PROBLEM breeding wherever
the female is positioned.

I suggest you have a chat with an experienced breeder (not the person
from whom you purchased your alpacas), before you consider doing any
breeding. Save yourself time, money and heartbreak.

If you are anywhere near Steve Hull (Arcadia), you couldn't get much
better advice.

Jan Davis
Derwydd Alpacas
24497 County Road 23
Esparto CA  95627
530-787-0007
cell 530-908-1506




On 2/3/2011 4:38 PM, jessica67401 wrote:
>
>
> I have a 1 girl who is 3 a boy who is seven and a rather elderly
> gelding who is 14. Right now while I am learning they will be for
> fiber. I would like to try breeding some day though. Incidently, the
> people I got them from said they wont just "do it" out in the open.
> They have a rather large 3 sided enclosure but I have a gate that
> divides it into 2 sides if I want to. The previous owner said if I
> wanted to try to mate them I'd need to give them an enclosed private
> area. Has that been your experience or do you think I need to keep
> them seperate? Oh and for everyone who asked I am in Central Oklahoma
>
> > Good luck. Sounds like fun. I have only been an alpaca
> > owner/breeder since October 2008. We started with five and have
> grown to 21
> > and a llama. We had four for four crias born healthy this year..3
> girls and
> > a boy. I have two female Suris and two male Suris and the rest Huacaya.
> > Love them all!
> >
> > Laura...still working on our website..a work in progress
> >
> > www.Rhalfpintfarm.com <http://www.rhalfpintfarm.com/>
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Laura Roberts
> >
> > R Half Pint Farm
> >
> > Spotsylvania, VA
> >
> >
> >
> > _____
> >
> > From: AlpacaTalk@yahoogroups.com
> <mailto:AlpacaTalk%40yahoogroups.com>
> [mailto:AlpacaTalk@yahoogroups.com
> <mailto:AlpacaTalk%40yahoogroups.com>] On
> > Behalf Of jessica67401
> > Sent: Thursday, February 03, 2011 11:42 AM
> > To: AlpacaTalk@yahoogroups.com <mailto:AlpacaTalk%40yahoogroups.com>
> > Subject: [AlpacaTalk] Fleece and Shearing Question
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > I am a newbie to Alpacas so bear with me on these questions. I have 3
> > Alpacas that I just recently purchased. I have always loved Alpacas
> and we
> > bought them more as pets than anything. I do spin and knit so they
> will be
> > my own personal fiber supply and I hope enough left over to help
> suppliment
> > the cost of thier food and care.
> >
> > As I'm sure you know, they love to roll around in the dirt and
> leaves and
> > such and they currently have all sorts of VM stuck in their fleece. Do I
> > need to be concerned with trying to get it all out before they are
> sheared
> > or do I need to somehow try to prevent them from getting dirty in
> the first
> > place?
> >
> > Also, I have heard there are places where you can send the fleece to
> have it
> > tested for microns and such. Where can I learn more information
> about that?
> >
> > Again, I'm new to all this so pardon my ignorance but apart from the
> fleece
> > I will be processing myself where does one send thier fleece to have it
> > processed and how much does something like that cost?
> >
>
>



------------------------------------

Message posts are the opinion of individuals posting and are not necessarily endorsed or approved by Yahoo! or the moderator of this group. The purpose of this discussion group is to ensure that all points of view can be aired. It is the responsibility of all individuals who post to treat others with respect and civility.Yahoo! Groups Links

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__._,_.___
Recent Activity:
Message posts are the opinion of individuals posting and are not necessarily endorsed or approved by Yahoo! or the moderator of this group. The purpose of this discussion group is to ensure that all points of view can be aired. It is the responsibility of all individuals who post to treat others with respect and civility.
.

__,_._,___

posted by Chaddo at 5:07 PM 0 comments

Free Alpacas Newsletter- How to Profit from Alpaca Farming

Re: [AlpacaTalk] Re: Fleece and Shearing Question

you have been misinformed that breeding must take place covertly. an
open female and a healthy stud will have NO PROBLEM breeding wherever
the female is positioned.

I suggest you have a chat with an experienced breeder (not the person
from whom you purchased your alpacas), before you consider doing any
breeding. Save yourself time, money and heartbreak.

If you are anywhere near Steve Hull (Arcadia), you couldn't get much
better advice.

Jan Davis
Derwydd Alpacas
24497 County Road 23
Esparto CA 95627
530-787-0007
cell 530-908-1506


On 2/3/2011 4:38 PM, jessica67401 wrote:
>
>
> I have a 1 girl who is 3 a boy who is seven and a rather elderly
> gelding who is 14. Right now while I am learning they will be for
> fiber. I would like to try breeding some day though. Incidently, the
> people I got them from said they wont just "do it" out in the open.
> They have a rather large 3 sided enclosure but I have a gate that
> divides it into 2 sides if I want to. The previous owner said if I
> wanted to try to mate them I'd need to give them an enclosed private
> area. Has that been your experience or do you think I need to keep
> them seperate? Oh and for everyone who asked I am in Central Oklahoma
>
> > Good luck. Sounds like fun. I have only been an alpaca
> > owner/breeder since October 2008. We started with five and have
> grown to 21
> > and a llama. We had four for four crias born healthy this year..3
> girls and
> > a boy. I have two female Suris and two male Suris and the rest Huacaya.
> > Love them all!
> >
> > Laura...still working on our website..a work in progress
> >
> > www.Rhalfpintfarm.com <http://www.rhalfpintfarm.com/>
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Laura Roberts
> >
> > R Half Pint Farm
> >
> > Spotsylvania, VA
> >
> >
> >
> > _____
> >
> > From: AlpacaTalk@yahoogroups.com
> <mailto:AlpacaTalk%40yahoogroups.com>
> [mailto:AlpacaTalk@yahoogroups.com
> <mailto:AlpacaTalk%40yahoogroups.com>] On
> > Behalf Of jessica67401
> > Sent: Thursday, February 03, 2011 11:42 AM
> > To: AlpacaTalk@yahoogroups.com <mailto:AlpacaTalk%40yahoogroups.com>
> > Subject: [AlpacaTalk] Fleece and Shearing Question
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > I am a newbie to Alpacas so bear with me on these questions. I have 3
> > Alpacas that I just recently purchased. I have always loved Alpacas
> and we
> > bought them more as pets than anything. I do spin and knit so they
> will be
> > my own personal fiber supply and I hope enough left over to help
> suppliment
> > the cost of thier food and care.
> >
> > As I'm sure you know, they love to roll around in the dirt and
> leaves and
> > such and they currently have all sorts of VM stuck in their fleece. Do I
> > need to be concerned with trying to get it all out before they are
> sheared
> > or do I need to somehow try to prevent them from getting dirty in
> the first
> > place?
> >
> > Also, I have heard there are places where you can send the fleece to
> have it
> > tested for microns and such. Where can I learn more information
> about that?
> >
> > Again, I'm new to all this so pardon my ignorance but apart from the
> fleece
> > I will be processing myself where does one send thier fleece to have it
> > processed and how much does something like that cost?
> >
>
>

------------------------------------

Message posts are the opinion of individuals posting and are not necessarily endorsed or approved by Yahoo! or the moderator of this group. The purpose of this discussion group is to ensure that all points of view can be aired. It is the responsibility of all individuals who post to treat others with respect and civility.Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AlpacaTalk/

<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional

<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AlpacaTalk/join
(Yahoo! ID required)

<*> To change settings via email:
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AlpacaTalk-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com

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<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

posted by Chaddo at 4:56 PM 0 comments

Free Alpacas Newsletter- How to Profit from Alpaca Farming

Re: [AlpacaTalk] Re: Fleece and Shearing Question

 

          They will breed if allowed together and the gelding can even try and cause infections from constant irritation to the females.Males will even breed one another.They breed in the wild Mountain tops of Peru running in large herds.Why they would tell you something so wrong I have no idea it actually makes me angry because it is an out right lie.WOW!!! I am worried what other incorrect things they told you.I am not judging you sorry if I sound harsh....

Tina Hunt 636-459-8930

Elkhorn Alpacas
Warrenton,MO
From: jessica67401 <jessica67401@yahoo.com>
To: AlpacaTalk@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thu, February 3, 2011 6:38:16 PM
Subject: [AlpacaTalk] Re: Fleece and Shearing Question

 


I have a 1 girl who is 3 a boy who is seven and a rather elderly gelding who is 14. Right now while I am learning they will be for fiber. I would like to try breeding some day though. Incidently, the people I got them from said they wont just "do it" out in the open. They have a rather large 3 sided enclosure but I have a gate that divides it into 2 sides if I want to. The previous owner said if I wanted to try to mate them I'd need to give them an enclosed private area. Has that been your experience or do you think I need to keep them seperate? Oh and for everyone who asked I am in Central Oklahoma

> Good luck. Sounds like fun. I have only been an alpaca
> owner/breeder since October 2008. We started with five and have grown to 21
> and a llama. We had four for four crias born healthy this year..3 girls and
> a boy. I have two female Suris and two male Suris and the rest Huacaya.
> Love them all!
>
> Laura...still working on our website..a work in progress
>
> www.Rhalfpintfarm.com <http://www.rhalfpintfarm.com/>
>
>
>
>
>
> Laura Roberts
>
> R Half Pint Farm
>
> Spotsylvania, VA
>
>
>
> _____
>
> From: AlpacaTalk@yahoogroups.com [mailto:AlpacaTalk@yahoogroups.com] On
> Behalf Of jessica67401
> Sent: Thursday, February 03, 2011 11:42 AM
> To: AlpacaTalk@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [AlpacaTalk] Fleece and Shearing Question
>
>
>
>
>
> I am a newbie to Alpacas so bear with me on these questions. I have 3
> Alpacas that I just recently purchased. I have always loved Alpacas and we
> bought them more as pets than anything. I do spin and knit so they will be
> my own personal fiber supply and I hope enough left over to help suppliment
> the cost of thier food and care.
>
> As I'm sure you know, they love to roll around in the dirt and leaves and
> such and they currently have all sorts of VM stuck in their fleece. Do I
> need to be concerned with trying to get it all out before they are sheared
> or do I need to somehow try to prevent them from getting dirty in the first
> place?
>
> Also, I have heard there are places where you can send the fleece to have it
> tested for microns and such. Where can I learn more information about that?
>
> Again, I'm new to all this so pardon my ignorance but apart from the fleece
> I will be processing myself where does one send thier fleece to have it
> processed and how much does something like that cost?
>


__._,_.___
Recent Activity:
Message posts are the opinion of individuals posting and are not necessarily endorsed or approved by Yahoo! or the moderator of this group. The purpose of this discussion group is to ensure that all points of view can be aired. It is the responsibility of all individuals who post to treat others with respect and civility.
.

__,_._,___

posted by Chaddo at 4:50 PM 0 comments

Free Alpacas Newsletter- How to Profit from Alpaca Farming

[AlpacaTalk] Re: Fleece and Shearing Question

 


I have a 1 girl who is 3 a boy who is seven and a rather elderly gelding who is 14. Right now while I am learning they will be for fiber. I would like to try breeding some day though. Incidently, the people I got them from said they wont just "do it" out in the open. They have a rather large 3 sided enclosure but I have a gate that divides it into 2 sides if I want to. The previous owner said if I wanted to try to mate them I'd need to give them an enclosed private area. Has that been your experience or do you think I need to keep them seperate? Oh and for everyone who asked I am in Central Oklahoma

> Good luck. Sounds like fun. I have only been an alpaca
> owner/breeder since October 2008. We started with five and have grown to 21
> and a llama. We had four for four crias born healthy this year..3 girls and
> a boy. I have two female Suris and two male Suris and the rest Huacaya.
> Love them all!
>
> Laura...still working on our website..a work in progress
>
> www.Rhalfpintfarm.com <http://www.rhalfpintfarm.com/>
>
>
>
>
>
> Laura Roberts
>
> R Half Pint Farm
>
> Spotsylvania, VA
>
>
>
> _____
>
> From: AlpacaTalk@yahoogroups.com [mailto:AlpacaTalk@yahoogroups.com] On
> Behalf Of jessica67401
> Sent: Thursday, February 03, 2011 11:42 AM
> To: AlpacaTalk@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [AlpacaTalk] Fleece and Shearing Question
>
>
>
>
>
> I am a newbie to Alpacas so bear with me on these questions. I have 3
> Alpacas that I just recently purchased. I have always loved Alpacas and we
> bought them more as pets than anything. I do spin and knit so they will be
> my own personal fiber supply and I hope enough left over to help suppliment
> the cost of thier food and care.
>
> As I'm sure you know, they love to roll around in the dirt and leaves and
> such and they currently have all sorts of VM stuck in their fleece. Do I
> need to be concerned with trying to get it all out before they are sheared
> or do I need to somehow try to prevent them from getting dirty in the first
> place?
>
> Also, I have heard there are places where you can send the fleece to have it
> tested for microns and such. Where can I learn more information about that?
>
> Again, I'm new to all this so pardon my ignorance but apart from the fleece
> I will be processing myself where does one send thier fleece to have it
> processed and how much does something like that cost?
>

__._,_.___
Recent Activity:
Message posts are the opinion of individuals posting and are not necessarily endorsed or approved by Yahoo! or the moderator of this group. The purpose of this discussion group is to ensure that all points of view can be aired. It is the responsibility of all individuals who post to treat others with respect and civility.
.

__,_._,___

posted by Chaddo at 4:38 PM 0 comments

Free Alpacas Newsletter- How to Profit from Alpaca Farming

RE: [AlpacaTalk] Fleece and Shearing Question

 

            We don’t worry about how dirty they are until closer to shearing time.  I have sheared without doing anything to them and I’ve sheared after blowing them with a vacuum.  Everyone agreed that we had to change cutters less often when they were blown out.  It doesn’t get rid of it all, but a lot.

            You don’t say where you are and that can make a big difference on the cost of your processed end product.  We try to go to mills within driving distance to avoid shipping costs. 

 

            I can recommend Central VA Fiber Mill and have used them in the past and will continue to use them.  We have recently taken 35 lbs of fiber to a new mill, Capon Bridge Fiber Works in WV. (about a two hour drive for us)  I am anxious to receive our finished products and was given an estimate of about six months to complete the job.  (this process is not done quickly……..too few mills to process lots of small farm’s fiber, imo)

 

            Each mill has their own pricing, but I think the norm is to charge you on INCOMING weight for the washing of the fiber.  Then depending on what you have done, most charge for the outgoing wt of the finished process.  I am having yarn made from all my blanket fiber……one pound of fingering wt in 250 yd skeins and the balance in sport wt.  My seconds are being made into rug yarn and my waste is being made into felt sheets.  I only asked for one pound of roving in white for soap felting. 

 

            There are so many variables so it is hard to tell you how much it will cost, but if you go to a mill’s website, you should be able to estimate what the cost will be. 

 

            My first skeins of blanket fiber in a sport wt averaged 3.5 oz per skein of 250 yards and the cost averaged $12 per skein.  It is a pricey process, but I have found that those fiber lovers who appreciate alpaca are willing to pay the price.  I sell skeins for $24 or on sale for $20 when two or more are bought.  Right now, I have nothing to sell and am very anxious to get my fiber back! 

 

            Are your alpacas girls or boys?  If you only plan for fiber and no breeding, I would geld the boys.  Let their energy go into fiber and not macho testosterone filled antics.  (they fight less after gelded!)

 

            Good luck.  Sounds like fun.  I have only been an alpaca owner/breeder since October 2008.  We started with five and have grown to 21 and a llama.  We had four for four crias born healthy this year……3 girls and a boy.  I have two female Suris and two male Suris and the rest Huacaya.  Love them all! 

Laura………still working on our website……a work in progress

www.Rhalfpintfarm.com

 

 

Laura Roberts

R Half Pint Farm

Spotsylvania, VA 

 

From: AlpacaTalk@yahoogroups.com [mailto:AlpacaTalk@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of jessica67401
Sent: Thursday, February 03, 2011 11:42 AM
To: AlpacaTalk@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [AlpacaTalk] Fleece and Shearing Question

 

 

I am a newbie to Alpacas so bear with me on these questions. I have 3 Alpacas that I just recently purchased. I have always loved Alpacas and we bought them more as pets than anything. I do spin and knit so they will be my own personal fiber supply and I hope enough left over to help suppliment the cost of thier food and care.

As I'm sure you know, they love to roll around in the dirt and leaves and such and they currently have all sorts of VM stuck in their fleece. Do I need to be concerned with trying to get it all out before they are sheared or do I need to somehow try to prevent them from getting dirty in the first place?

Also, I have heard there are places where you can send the fleece to have it tested for microns and such. Where can I learn more information about that?

Again, I'm new to all this so pardon my ignorance but apart from the fleece I will be processing myself where does one send thier fleece to have it processed and how much does something like that cost?

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posted by Chaddo at 3:17 PM 0 comments

Free Alpacas Newsletter- How to Profit from Alpaca Farming

Re: [AlpacaTalk] Fleece and Shearing Question

 

the moderator just told me it was OK to refer someone to a mill so.........I have sent fibers to Zeilinger's Woolen Mill in Frankenmuth MI and always been very happy with what I got back.  Here on the east coast, there is a new small mill that began about 18 months or so ago.  Singleton Fibers.  Mary does ALOT of alpaca.  She has done both types for me and I've got nice roving back.  I don't believe that she can spin to yarn yet, but I know she'd like to get to that point someday.

Susan

On Thu, Feb 3, 2011 at 11:41 AM, jessica67401 <jessica67401@yahoo.com> wrote:
 

I am a newbie to Alpacas so bear with me on these questions. I have 3 Alpacas that I just recently purchased. I have always loved Alpacas and we bought them more as pets than anything. I do spin and knit so they will be my own personal fiber supply and I hope enough left over to help suppliment the cost of thier food and care.

As I'm sure you know, they love to roll around in the dirt and leaves and such and they currently have all sorts of VM stuck in their fleece. Do I need to be concerned with trying to get it all out before they are sheared or do I need to somehow try to prevent them from getting dirty in the first place?

Also, I have heard there are places where you can send the fleece to have it tested for microns and such. Where can I learn more information about that?

Again, I'm new to all this so pardon my ignorance but apart from the fleece I will be processing myself where does one send thier fleece to have it processed and how much does something like that cost?


__._,_.___
Recent Activity:
Message posts are the opinion of individuals posting and are not necessarily endorsed or approved by Yahoo! or the moderator of this group. The purpose of this discussion group is to ensure that all points of view can be aired. It is the responsibility of all individuals who post to treat others with respect and civility.
.

__,_._,___

posted by Chaddo at 2:27 PM 0 comments

Free Alpacas Newsletter- How to Profit from Alpaca Farming

Re: [AlpacaTalk] Fleece and Shearing Question

 

Where do you live?  there are several mills around the country who will process alpaca into yarn for you.  Do a google search for fiber mills.  If you e mail me privately I'll tell you who I like, but don't know if something like that is allowed on this list (might be considered advertising)
 
As to keeping the alpacas clean, dust is not a problem.  But alot of VM is a real pain.  Try to keep their area free from alot of hay on the ground, wood shavings, and my personal most hated, is dry fall leaves!  They just seem to crumble into the fleece and are a ROYAL pain to deal with.  Most mills will get out alot of VM, but the less that you have there to start with, the better your finished product will be.
 
Susan in Maryland

On Thu, Feb 3, 2011 at 11:41 AM, jessica67401 <jessica67401@yahoo.com> wrote:
 

I am a newbie to Alpacas so bear with me on these questions. I have 3 Alpacas that I just recently purchased. I have always loved Alpacas and we bought them more as pets than anything. I do spin and knit so they will be my own personal fiber supply and I hope enough left over to help suppliment the cost of thier food and care.

As I'm sure you know, they love to roll around in the dirt and leaves and such and they currently have all sorts of VM stuck in their fleece. Do I need to be concerned with trying to get it all out before they are sheared or do I need to somehow try to prevent them from getting dirty in the first place?

Also, I have heard there are places where you can send the fleece to have it tested for microns and such. Where can I learn more information about that?

Again, I'm new to all this so pardon my ignorance but apart from the fleece I will be processing myself where does one send thier fleece to have it processed and how much does something like that cost?


__._,_.___
Recent Activity:
Message posts are the opinion of individuals posting and are not necessarily endorsed or approved by Yahoo! or the moderator of this group. The purpose of this discussion group is to ensure that all points of view can be aired. It is the responsibility of all individuals who post to treat others with respect and civility.
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posted by Chaddo at 2:05 PM 0 comments