Kensmyth

Well after the scary snow flurries, we have been having fantastic weather this April so far.. this means watch out for laminitis folks. I have been asked about our little fellas but yes folks – they are beavering away doing the job they are on farm for.. all the walkways and the areas to keep tidy – bless!

I did not find this out until visiting my parents today.. I was so sad but they were more so. My father will be 90 this year and our parents have been through so much that the Monarchy has over this time, far more than we can ever understand.

Such a man, such a loss. Gone but always in our thoughts and our hearts go out to his family.

I am always talking about halter training my Mum says at the moment but they are all going really well and I am pleased with them.

Just look at that baby bump – next is the foaling season closely followed by the Alpaca birthing season..

well I had some fantastic gifts and cards for my birthday as well as the cake but this year the three favourite cards were from friends trying to remind me how old I am now.. but they forget I started going backwards several years ago when I started “unbirthdays” so I am quite young now LOL

I am having unbirthdays when I get cards like these lol.. amazing how many though, thanks to all.

I was honoured to have so many people wish me a Happy Easter today, clients, family and friends all alike asked me what I planned to do.. brush a LLama I said. I find it very therapeutic and my little (well actually not very little at all) trio of Llama girls just love the brushing and attention.

Even Llama that supposedly do not need shearing need brushing on a regular basis so their fleece flows freely and does not become matted. . chopping off longer fleece is more normal than shearing but brushing is essential.

Happy Easter to everyone from all the livestock here at Kensmyth – now watch them roll LOL!

Halter training initially at approximately six months consists of halters on only and handling here at Kensmyth. However the further training starts about now when the 2020 cria approach 10 months to a year when they are happy in themselves, well over weaning and curious about life the other side of the fence. Pushing Alpaca too early will only result in livestock unwilling to co-operate, easily frightened and with issues thereafter.

Our problem is they are so friendly nothing bothers them now LOL

come on Mum – lets go!

what better way to welcome Spring and April 2021 than with the beauty of my planted troughs starting..

well who cannot help but smile when you find a carrot like this at 6.30 am when feeding round and it is going to be hot this week but you have just seen its forecast snow at the week end? Happy crazy weather Monday!

I love the evening feed time where the setting sun throws its dying rays across the backs of the Alpaca and makes their coats literally glow.

Heavily coated it will not be long before it is annual shearing time again..

I am often asked if our Curly Coats “shed” or “moult” a lot.. the honest answer is no they do not if you regularly brush them making them ideal for asthmatics etc. They are an outstanding guard dog and “hold” the people at bay without letting them pass which at 45kg per dog is incredible but are also loving loyal woofers.

As these dogs do not moult/shed much, the Spring into Summer and Autumn into Winter coats have to be physically got out – no Dog groomers here only me LOL..

So on in the sunshine, the two season moult had to be got out and boy was I exhausted after – house needing clean up too as you can see..