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The Fourth of the Eight Essentials, of Alpaca Survival:
Shearing
by Lucy Farrar
Charles and I purchased our first alpacas in 1995. We started with a non-huggable Chilean import named Lottie – who soon had a male cria, and two additional maidens. My experience with livestock consisted of saying "moo" as a child when we passed a billboard of Elsie the Borden cow!
When the weather warmed up that following June, the breeder who sold us the alpacas called to ask what we were going to do about shearing. Oops! You mean all that fiber has to come off? He told us about a guy from New Zealand. We set up an appointment with Mark Loffhagen for the following Tuesday.
Mark arrived early in the morning and asked where to set up. He needed a flat surface with posts or “O” rings to attach some pulleys, explaining that this was a restraint system to hold the alpaca still while quickly shearing the fleece off. With only a semi-enclosed loafing shed with dirt floor for sheltering the alpacas, Mark looked around and decided on using our concrete patio under the deck. The support posts for the deck would work well to anchor the restraints.
Mark got set up for the first alpaca. He laid the alpaca down on the ground while we worked like crazy to loop the restraints around the legs, then a helper quickly pulled the rope to stretch the alpaca out -- not too tight to be uncomfortable -- just snug enough to keep her still. One person was assigned to hold the head, since that was the only loose part. Mark plugged in, oiled his electric shears, and we were ready to begin.
“Where are your bags?”, Mark asked. “Anything large will do, like garbage bags…just get something to put the fleece in.” I dashed for the kitchen and grabbed several sizes of bags…definitely not Ziplocs! Soon the first fleece-blanket was rolling off the alpaca under Mark’s expert shears. I proudly gathered up my first fleece off the concrete, and stuffed it into the largest garbage bag I had. Keep in mind that this was going on outdoors, and we were on top of a hill notorious for its wind gusts. Soon bits of fiber were flying everywhere and the local birds had very luxurious nests that summer! Mark quickly finished the first alpaca, then helped us get the restraints off the ankles. She stood up, shook herself (more bird nest fodder!) and gave what I took as a sign of relief. We managed to finish off the other three, including Lottie’s cria, in about an hour and a half. We paid Mark and off he went to his next ranch!
Were we lucky??? We sure were!!! We could have easily had a new herd with serious heat stress issues because we didn't know enough to plan for shearing in advance! Thankfully, we bought our herd from a breeder who set us straight! Our advice to new owners is this:
Consider your location and make plans for shearing at least 4 months before your heat really sets in. Huacayas need to be shorn yearly. Suris may be shorn every year, or two, depending on your location.
Start by contacting the breeder who sold you your alpacas. They are sure to have tips, and may even have names of local shearers you can call.
Check references, make an appointment, and send the shearer a deposit if requested. This is one appointment you can’t afford to have fall through the cracks!
Ask your shearer what they need with regards to facilities, supplies, or support.
Respect that shearing is a very serious business. If you are tempted to invite friends over to watch, ask the shearer for permission. Some prefer a quiet environment, others can work amidst chaos.
You’ll be expected to pay a fee per animal, possibly a travel fee, and possibly a set-up fee. Make sure you understand, and agree to, the charges up front – so there aren’t any surprises. Ask your shearer if they trim teeth. If they say yes, do yourself a favor and have them check your animals. This service could save you a vet call – especially if you own males that haven’t had their fighting teeth filed down yet!
Have your supplies on hand and ready to go:
Bags for each prime fleece, lots extra for seconds and thirds
Baggies for fleece samples. Be sure your shearer understands you want samples, and ask how she/he prefers to handle this. Some like the sample rubber-banded before they shear, so be sure to have rubber-bands handy
Extension cords, trash bucket, ropes, shearing mats, broom, buckets with water and rags
First-aid equipment for both alpaca, and humans. Phone numbers for your vet and a cell phone should be handy – just in case
Lots of cold drinks and snacks. It’s always a nice courtesy to find out what the shearer likes in advance!
It’s been a few years since that first shearing experience. Mark is still shearing for us – which means we must be treating him right! He sheared 83 alpacas for us this last year, in just under 7 hours. And yes, the alpacas still do that little shake and sigh....it’s finally off me!
Author: Lucy Farrar of Front Range Alpacas, Colorado
Be sure to visit our AlpacaVideos and watch the movie on Shearing Alpacas
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