Sunday morning. I am in the alpaca barn alone, doing morning chores. The alpacas are in the fields and have not heard me yet. If they had, their heads would have popped up to confirm my presence and a stampede would have ensued. So, I work quietly, trying to get the piles of manure raked up and hay bins filled before calling them into the barn. Our barn is simple, really just a large run-in shed with doors opening on three sides and an office area in the front. It is easy (although sometimes tedious) to clean, and hay can be dropped from the loft over the office.
There is a warm wind blowing across the hill bringing the full promise of spring. The gentle rustle in the trees masks my presence, and having finished the morning duties, I walk out into the fields.
The first stop is to check the pregnant females for impending birth. Their bellies are so full. I watch as one experiences restless kicking – from the inside. There is an old saying in the horse world that no man with a pregnant mare ever committed suicide. I would venture to say the same is true for alpaca owners. The expectation, anticipation and the hope are just too great. The females find I have no treats for them and go back to grazing.
A commotion behind me draws my attention. The males are at it again. Two have engaged in chest butting, and a third, deciding to prove his own importance, joined in. The three are now racing around screaming, blocking and grabbing each others’ legs. Males. We have about ten breeding males and some younger offspring. They can appear so proud, so important (and they are), but if they only knew how silly they looked at the end of a "battle" – nostrils flaring, sides heaving, lower lips hanging down oozing green slime that is, often as not, also all over their heads and necks. I shake my head, making a mental note to check fighting teeth again, and then I wander over to the main herd.
The alpacas are grazing on top of the hill. I stand and watch them for a very long time. It is so peaceful, so calm and soothing, standing here in the early spring sunshine. If only life could always be so relaxed. I sigh knowing it’s not, but I savor the moments like this. I am very glad that I decided to breed alpacas.
It has been many years since our family bought our first few alpacas, and looking at them in the field, I cannot remember what life was like without them. We had needed to do something with the farm, but having cared for most other farm animals, I was not enthusiastic about the prospects – until I heard about raising alpacas. Having acquired a cherished collection of alpaca sweaters, I eagerly searched to find any information. To my dismay, no one in the state of Maryland could tell me a thing. After three calls to the USDA in Washington, D.C., I finally tracked down the names of a few breeders scattered across the country and the number for AOBA. We acted quickly, and relying on previous livestock experience and the friendly advice of other breeders, we purchased a group of alpacas from the first Peruvian importation. Our herd grew to about 26 by the end of 1993. Today we have approximately 45. The herd consists of both Huacayas and Suris. Initially, I was not sure I liked the Suris. The way they look is – well, unexpected, but I have grown to love their shimmering locks. Our breeding stock includes carefully selected alpacas from Peru, Bolivia and Chile as well as some wonderfully bred North American alpacas.
The barn and fields are actually now at their limit, but it is so hard to decide which ones to sell. We have worked hard to build a herd we can be proud of. Each alpaca contributes something special. The only consolation to selling a female who has given us wonderful crias is that new breeders coming into the business seem to be as nice an those already in it, and we always keep track of our alpacas after they leave the farm. I remind myself to call some clients who should be expecting their own crias soon, just to make sure everything is OK and to offer reassurance.
The morning light shining on the hillside is perfect for pictures, and never being without my camera, I look for the females we have for sale to get some fresh photos. Two funny faced, curious little crias interrupt me. They just have to know what I am doing, what is in my hand. I try to get pictures of them, but they are too quick. I back up; they run after me. "Don’t move!" I tell them. "I have to show everyone your perfect conformation, your beautiful fleeces. Stand still!" They don’t listen. Children seldom do, but if I am patient, a leaf blowing by will capture their attention, and then I will get my picture.
My own children call from the barn. Kate comes quickly to join me. She snatches up a cria just to hug it. She is good with animals and considers herself my "Alpaca Trainer." Kate delights in showing the alpacas, especially in the agility classes. Lucas, my son, wants to know if there is any mowing to do yet. He is hoping to earn extra some spending money riding around on the tractor. Both children have helped birth crias and take pride in knowing just what to do if Mom is not home – including calling the vet!
Reluctantly, I head back to the barn. There are still horses and cows to care for; Kate wants me to ride; there are phone messages to answer, the coming week’s schedule to plan. Who would have guessed that raising alpacas would have led to all the travel, stimulating meetings and conferences, the opportunities to learn about the fabulous fiber and its uses, so many new friends from all over or writing articles and taking photos for magazines? Plus, we take great pleasure in sharing our alpacas by taking them to nursing homes and schools and by participating in events like the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival and The Eastern Alpaca Jubilee.
Alpacas have not only been an excellent investment, they have also opened a whole new world to participate in and explore. Alpaca breeding is a multi-faceted livestock industry offering endless possibilities – or – a peaceful moment on a sunny hillside.
We look forward to welcoming new breeders into the world of alpacas. Our farm is just north of Baltimore; so if you are planning to be in the area, give us a call. We would love to have you visit.