Here are some of the cria born on our alpaca farm in Alabama near the end of 2011. In the center is the fawn little Casey McCoy. Full sister to one of our favorite alpacas we have ever produced, Colt McCoy, we are thrilled to welcome her to the herd. Casey is a solid girl [...]
Thanks to Joy Smith of Riverstone Peruvian Suri Alpacas for contributing this picture of her alpaca who’s not that interested in being halter trained.
Participating in Wordless Wednesday
My husband, Jim Cocking, used to be a serious alpaca transporter. That is probably how we got to be such good friends. Jim hauled many an alpaca for me and my alpaca friends.
The life of a transporter is truly an adventure fraught with challenges of all sorts. I could listen to him tell stories about [...]
People are always asking me how we choose the names for our new baby alpacas (called cria). Here are the top ten ways we do it.
1. Look at the cria and see if he or she is just “looks” like a certain name or if the situation calls for something special. For example, when “George” [...]
The other day I went out into the field, and what did I find? A new baby!
Amber had her little cria. It’s a girl, and she’s doing well, bopping around. Playing with the other little girl we had last week. Our next cria are due today so we are on baby watch again for four [...]
The other day the kids & I went to my mother’s house to celebrate her birthday. Before I left I checked on the alpacas. The two girls who were (over)due looked fine so we left and had a fun day with my parents in Gulf Shores. I intended to be back before dark, but got [...]
I have gotten over a dozen emails from CIABA about their unskirted fleece event. It sounded intriguing but I have to admit, I wasn’t sure what it was all about or why I should participate. I had some questions, and I thought some of you might too so I contacted Robin Alpert of CIABA and [...]
Jim and I bought our very first alpaca together. When we saw this little guy, Challenger’s Sir Charles, he stopped us both in our tracks. He was so cute and fluffy. He had so much presence!
Jim and I are supposed to be immune to that kind of charm, right? I mean we are both seasoned [...]
photo by Janice Buttitta of Desert Mountain Alpaca Ranch
I just love this photo. Janice says that this little puppy, Sophia, pictured here, weighed less than 10 lbs, and the alpacas hardly paid attention to her.
Participating in Wordless Wednesdays.
“Liquid Gold” Photo by Val Newell of The Green Alpaca
Recently I was asked the Question: Have I ever had to milk a female alpaca? And did I have some tips…
Yes, I’ve had to milk an alpaca. Too many times, actually. And it’s difficult. You need 2 people or a chute usually to hold the [...]
