Monday, November 5, 2007
Almost Home
I have not kept up on blogging as I had hoped I would. A lot has happened in the last few months. I'd like to think we have been so busy preparing the farm, that blogging was put on the back burner, so to speak. Anyhow, The barn and fence are up. We even have hay and grain ready for consumption. We need a few more temporary fencing panels. The big hold up right now though is waiting for Darcy to be breed to Michaelangelo, and confirmation of Nebula's pregnancy to PLF Peruvian Calypso. The breeding took place November 2. Calypso is a very handsome, half accoyo, full peruvian, rose grey son of Accoyo Peruvian Grand Master. We are very excited to see the outcome of this match. I wish we didn't have to wait a year!
Constance
Super dense, crimpy to the point of curls, Constance shows all the marking of an award winning alpaca.
Beth and Constance
Born a month early and weighing only 14 pounds, Constance is turning out to be a beautiful cria with dense crimpy fiber. A lot of care from Ed & Beth proved to be just what this beautiful cria needed. Now weighing 35lbs. Beth wont be able to carry her much longer.
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
She's Still Winning
We are so proud of Darcy Dakotia because at almost four years old she is still winning the blue ribbon at fleece shows. Her beautifully fine, dense, lusturous fleece won a blue ribbon at the AOBA National Conference Fleece show.
The AOBA National Conference was very interesting. We attended a lot of seminars conducted by industry experts. Dr. Norm Evan's talk on the benefits of skin biopsy was particularly interesting. We have biopsied both Darcy and Nebula and are anxious to get the results. I can understand now what a valuable tool the skin biopsy can be in guiding our breeding program.
This was our first time at the conference so there was no standard to judge it by, but I couldn't help overhearing some disgruntled long time members gossiping about the high price of attendence and other issues with AOBA that I can't recall right now. I guess once I get my feet a little wetter in this I'll understand the politics more. Unfortunately politics play a role everywhere!
The AOBA National Conference was very interesting. We attended a lot of seminars conducted by industry experts. Dr. Norm Evan's talk on the benefits of skin biopsy was particularly interesting. We have biopsied both Darcy and Nebula and are anxious to get the results. I can understand now what a valuable tool the skin biopsy can be in guiding our breeding program.
This was our first time at the conference so there was no standard to judge it by, but I couldn't help overhearing some disgruntled long time members gossiping about the high price of attendence and other issues with AOBA that I can't recall right now. I guess once I get my feet a little wetter in this I'll understand the politics more. Unfortunately politics play a role everywhere!
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Spring has arrived
We have been in the midst of so many wonderful things it has been hard to take the time to record it all. The best thing of is the birth of Ariana's beautiful cria, today May 1st. She is a gorgeous 14pound (looks like rose gray).
Yesterday, several animals were shorn by Mary Jane. She does such a fantastic job. Darcy was the first to go. She was very calm as she had a nice spa treatment. Ed trimmed her teeth while Mary Jane trimmed her hair. I think she must feel a lot better now. Ed also took a skin biopsy. We are looking forward to seeing the test results. Ruthanne helped me sort Darcy's fleece on my new sorting table that worked out just fine. The fleece is going to AOBA nationals at the end of May. It sure is beautiful and I can't wait to work with it.
Last weekend I went to a Marty McGee Bennett clinic that was very informative and encouraging. I highly recommend a Camelidynamic clinic for all alpaca owners. I truely am fortunate to be getting my training from the best people in the business. Every day is a learning experience.
We think we finally found the right person do grade and prep the barn site. We are on his list and expect him here early next week. That means the barn is not too far behind. The grader also has connections with a hydroseeder. My next job is to research the proper plant mix for the pasture.
Blogged with Flock
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Am I Halter Trained Yet?
I have been working the past couple of weeks training Nebula and myself. Halter training is a skill. Sort of like training a dog. I have learned a lot and it is getting easier, but I still have a lot to learn. One thing I have learned is that alpacas are pretty smart animals. They catch on very quickly and constantly test us humans. I'm trying to learn how to read her behaviors and mannorisms. She really is a sweetheart but I guess we all have our limits. That may be why she spit at my face when I stopped her and stooped down to talk to her about staying behind me. Lesson one: Stand tall and control the animal with body language- they don't understand english very well. Getting in their face is inviting a spit. I have to admit I saw it coming but I was too late to stop it.
I will go to the barn today and walk with her one last time before the KY Classic. Mary Jane has been extremely helpful. I could not have done any training without her. She handles the animals very well. I aspire to be like her one day. We are leaving TOMORROW and Mary Jane will not be there for support so I have to get used to this and do it on my own. I really need to stop letting the animal take advantage of my good nature, but she is so cute and too smart!
I will go to the barn today and walk with her one last time before the KY Classic. Mary Jane has been extremely helpful. I could not have done any training without her. She handles the animals very well. I aspire to be like her one day. We are leaving TOMORROW and Mary Jane will not be there for support so I have to get used to this and do it on my own. I really need to stop letting the animal take advantage of my good nature, but she is so cute and too smart!
Sunday, February 11, 2007
An afternoon at the dentist
This afternoon we were lucky enough to assit Ed in a little dental work. Alpacas need there teeth trimmed regularly as routine maintenance. We sedate them to ease their anxiety.
Blogged with Flock
Nebula in the sun
Nebula loves the cold weather and snow. We didn't see her in the barn because she was outside playing in the snow! That is some dense fleece on a beautiful girl. We can't wait to show her off.
Sunday, February 4, 2007
Saturday, February 3, 2007
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Halter Training
We have spent a few days the last couple of weeks getting Nebula used to wearing a halter. First we just layed gloves on her back so she would get used to having something against her body. Then we put her halter on for a couple of minutes another time. Last week MJ put the lead on her and let her get used to it. And, yesterday Carly walked her in a small circle. Nebula is so sweet and gentle. She loves to have her neck and back of her ears rubbed.
We are still modifying the barn plan to be sure to include enough windows and doors in all the right places. I think we decided on painted steel for a building material. It is less expensive than wood and also easier to maintain.
We are still modifying the barn plan to be sure to include enough windows and doors in all the right places. I think we decided on painted steel for a building material. It is less expensive than wood and also easier to maintain.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Our first Alpaca Darcy
Sunday, January 14, 2007
When can we get a barn?
We met with a renowned pole barn builder yesterday. He is working on a price for a 24'x36' pole barn with an 11'x36' loft storage area. There are overhead doors on north and south side. Two sliding doors under the overhang on the west side. and one slider on the east side. The overhang is 6'x24'. It runs to a small tack room on the end of the building. I'm waiting for the guy to get back to me on cost. He says it is cheeper in the winter because labor is less. (apparently they are all looking for something to do this time of year) Also, the price of lumber is expected to go up this year do to a slow building season last year.
The area where the barn is going to be needs to be grading because it is a little high. The grading guy just left. He will get back to us on prices in a couple of days. With all of the rain coming down the last few days, there won't be any grading this week! I'm very curious about the prices of these things. We may need to adjust the barn size depending on the price.
If it stops raining, the girls and I are going to go over to the barn and start halter training Nebula. I can't wait.
The area where the barn is going to be needs to be grading because it is a little high. The grading guy just left. He will get back to us on prices in a couple of days. With all of the rain coming down the last few days, there won't be any grading this week! I'm very curious about the prices of these things. We may need to adjust the barn size depending on the price.
If it stops raining, the girls and I are going to go over to the barn and start halter training Nebula. I can't wait.
Sunday, January 7, 2007
Soil amendments
After our soil was tested, we found out what we really knew all along. Our pasture is very acidic and not the proper PH for orchard grass. So this morning, bright and early we spread 500 pounds of lime on a mushy ground with a common household lawn spreader. It was hard work but at least we feel like we are making some progress. This winter has been so mild that it seems like fall. The ground hasn't frozen, so it just felt right to go ahead and apply the lime while the opportunity was there. We need to add potasium and phosphorus too, but that will come in the spring when we add another 500 pounds of lime.
Welcome
Welcome to Three Girls Farm blog. It is my pleasure to record and share the daily practices of starting an alpaca farm. So far it has been lots of fun.
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