Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Big Changes for the New Year

The end of a year and a beginning of another year. This is when we look back on the things that worked and things that didn't work for the farm. We decided to sell the goats. In fact at this time, I have people coming to take a few home. We just decided that they weren't for us anymore. We had goats for a few years and we can say that we tried them.  Now we are ready to go in a new direction with the farm.  But for once in my life, I'm going to take it slow.  I'm not going to jump right into the next "best" thing.  I'm going to fix fences, I'm going to clean out our "barn"(little building) and study all of the possibilities out there.  In fact just this past weekend, Hubby and I went to visit an alpaca farm.    


Now we aren't going to jump right in and get alpacas.  Although these little things are CUTE!!!!  We are just looking at different ways that we can go.  We did find out that you just shear them once a year.  Their fleece is extremely soft!!!!  They don't have hooves, they have feet with toe nails.  Once a year , in early spring, someone comes and shears them, cuts their toenails, and if they need it, work on their teeth.  Hubby really likes the idea that he doesn't have to trim hooves every other month. 


Look at those ears!!!



And that face!!!!


And the colors!


I thought this little girl was just soooo cute!  The body of these alpacas are not as big as you think.  If I was to shear them, they wouldn't be half as wide as they look.  They are almost all fluff. 


I just love the color of this big boy.  He thinks he's pretty too.


This one fell in love with Hubby.  See, they aren't very tall are they? 


I did learn that there is a spinning guild an hour away from the farm.  I'm planning on visiting them when they have their next meeting at the end of Jan.  I can't wait! I want to learn as much as I can about spinning and fiber in general. 

With this "field trip" under our belt, we will move on to the next thing to learn about.  I'll keep you up to date on what we decide to look at next.

So until next time,

Small Farm Girl

8 comments:

Lamb said...

We have alpacas and our girl, Alice, just gave birth to little Angus. If you think the adult alpacas feel soft...you won't believe the softness of a baby alpacas! They are like oversized cuddly stuffed animals! Absolutely adorable!

Sunnybrook Farm said...

What ever you move to they probably won't be as near as much trouble to keep fenced as goats. I have steers and a horse now but considered pigs. The horse has worked out in manure production alone. The steers are nearly 2 years old and we will be ready to maybe make a change to pigs or something else including more steers by summer drought. It won't be more goats even if they were free. Happy New Year and good luck.

Kate said...

I found spinning to be relaxing and meditative. Now if only I liked to knit so I had something to do with all that yarn...

thecrazysheeplady said...

Looks like you'll be bringing that black one home :-D.

Kellie from Indiana said...

How exciting! And look at all those fibers! Love!

Michaele said...

Very wise to take your time. These really are darling. I would have had trouble walking away.

CrankyPuppy said...

Squee! I am so getting alpacas when we move to our farm full time. They are awesome in so many ways: sweet animals, they mow your lawn down perfectly, and you can make all kinds of stuff from their fur. I just gave hubby some alpaca socks and they are deliciously comfy. I can't wait to see if you get some!

Natasha said...

You could sell it!