Today was day 3 of shearing at Northwest Alpacas. I took the day off of work to go up and help out wherever I could (being new, I didn’t know if I could really help at all). I left early, 6:00 am, from Eugene and headed to Northwest Alpacas in Hillsboro, OR. I arrived a few minutes after 8:00. I talked with the farm manager Steve for a few minutes and then went out where they were getting ready for the shearing. It was great to see all the alpacas getting ready to be sheared. They had 2 catch pens full of alpacas, and they were just about ready to get started.
For the first few shearings, I just hung back and watched so I wouldn’t get in the way. It was quick. They would bring in the alpaca, tip it on it’s side and then tie all four feet and then stretch them out so they couldn’t move (and be injured). Most of the alpaca did not have a problem with this. They would just lay back and wait for it to be over. There were a few throughout the day that did not like any part of this and would spit, pee, scream, holler and try just about anything to get out. I only about got hit with spit once, but luckily I got out of the way.
My main help throughout the day was to be the gate keeper. I would help get the alpacas back in the pens and then close the gates behind the guys getting the alpacas out and keep the rest of the alpacas in the pens. I think this was a good place for me. I got to be close to all the alpacas but really didn’t get in the way much. We did 60+ alpacas today. During lunch I went down and looked at the Studmaster Alpacas. They are nice looking animals.
The afternoon was reserved for the darker animals, so this meant that our alpaca, Feline, would be sheared so I hung around to watch. It was great being able to help and watch Feline get sheared.
All in all it was a good day. I was able to watch closely about 60+ animals being sheared, toenails clipped, and taken care of. I was able to see Feline, Alsea & Sunshine and get the fiber from Feline & Sunshine. We couldn’t find the fiber for Alsea, we’ll get that in a couple of weeks.
At this point, I think all our alpacas are now sheared. Now to get them all to Cottage Grove!!
Bil
Here is a video of Feline being sheared. (notice how calm she is)