Done! This is our last victim…er, alpaca…of the day and we are finished shearing our herd. Snowshoe Allegro, co-owned with Spirit Wind Farm, has the most lustrous fleece I’ve ever seen. I wish I had been able to get a better photo. I’ll give it another try when I skirt … Read More
Snowshoe Farm is an alpaca breeding business. As such when we sell alpacas, we offer service and support to our customers both before and after the sale. We see the alpacas produced from our breeding program as our responsibility long after they’ve left our farm. We do not breed unless … Read More
Done! Shearing is THE big spring chore at Snowshoe Farm and it feels so good to have finished. We shear early – usually the end of April – and, being spring in the NEK, the weather rarely cooperates. Generally, the alpacas have to endure a period of chilly temps before … Read More
You hear a lot about the equipment and supplies you need to have in order to properly care for your livestock. But it seems it’s often the little things – the simple things – that turn out to be the most-used and most-valued tools. From day one of alpaca ownership, … Read More
It’s over! And with the help of very good friends, shearing not only was not painful, it was actually fun! Many, many thanks to Larry from Twilight Ridge Farm, Jane from Berry Hill Alpacas and, last but not least, Kathy and Tracey from Foggy Bottom Ranch who went above and … Read More
For some reason (insanity?) I was looking forward to a spring-like weekend. I mean, the forecast didn’t sound THAT bad… But when the town plow wakes you up at 6:30 am, you know the weather is not going to meet your expectations. We picked up about 3 fluffy inches last … Read More
Most of us who have owned alpacas for any length of time have experience treating skin conditions. Diagnosing skin conditions has been difficult and there are a number of theories out there about the cause – or causes – of skin conditions. The symptoms we generally see are hair loss … Read More
This time of year usually find us beginning to halter train last year’s crias, especially those we plan to show in the spring. Only one of the crias we are currently training will be shown in the upcoming season – Snowshoe Ginger. This 9 month old fawn female is a … Read More
Herd health day takes on new meaning in cold weather. We’re not quite there yet; today was brisk, but not freezing. A light pair of fingerless gloves was all that was needed to keep hands warm while giving shots. For those of you not familiar with alpaca husbandry, alpacas require … Read More
Those of you who own livestock will recognize this situation: there’s something not quite right about one of your animals, but you can’t put your finger on it. Or the problem stops just as you’re about to call the vet. It can be expensive to get the vet out to … Read More