Details, Details, Details!

Saturday the 26th was National Alpaca Farm Day sponsored by AOBA (Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association). There were exhibits all across the country. Some were done at people's farms and some like us got together as a group. We were lucky because we were able to put it on at The Virginia State Fair at their new fairground at what used to be The Meadow. That is the farm where Riva Ridge and Secretariat were born and raised by the Chenery family.

Kevin and I trailered up early Saturday morning with Portfolio and Honey. As you can see by the pictures, we were in a large tent out by where all of the animal exhibits and contests were being held. This was not an Alpaca show, just an exhibition to promote Alpacas. This was the first year it was held at the Fair. We set up a table with brochures, pictures and some of Artemus' many ribbons he has won in the past.

Alot of people came through during the day and our Pacas were quite popular. Probably because Portfolio was the biggest Paca there and Honey was making lots of cute squeeking sounds. He became known as the talking Paca.

We handed out business cards and flyers, answered lots of questions and networked with the other Paca ranchers.

We will be going to a show on October 15-16 in Lexington at the Virginia Horse Center. We are taking Portfolio and Annie's Choice our young female.

Alpaca Farm Days at the State Fair

Alpaca Farm Days at the State Fair

Cria Cuteness-HHF Tipperary @ 1 week

Just a few more pics of the Tipster. Being nosy about what mom is eating, look its mom's butt, hey, I have an itch, oh, look a wall, let me lick it.

Bottom pic is Whinnie and Wizard who are totally fascinated with him.

Cria Cuteness-HHF Tipperary @ 1 week old

Isn't he something else? As of yesterday he weighs 22 lbs, he has gained 10 lbs in 6 days. Today was his first day back with the herd since his surpise early entry into the world. Everything is going very well, the other girls are careful around him, especially since momma Caitlin gives them the stink eye if they even look at him the wrong way. She is really something, last night she hocked (yes GL, hocked, we don't hork here in the South) a big loogie on my Dalmation Spot because he was standing on the other side of their pen, she then proceeded to angrily stomp her feet and snake her head at him. It sure got his attention and he isn't easily intimidated.

We have decided to name him HHF Tipperary to honor our new friend T.J. who was such a huge help when we bought the herd. It would have been so much more difficult without his help. He is from Tipperary, Ireland and has a great brogue. It also helps that both Kevin and I have lots of Irish heritage.

Cria Update

A couple of new pics of Little Dude. Caitlin is still nervous when too much is going on, so I only snapped a few. Isn't he adorable?

He is nursing well and getting stronger and steadier by the minute. The vet is coming tommorrow to take give him a tetanus shot, some vitamin shots and draw blood for selenium levels and IGG. He will also look him over to make sure he is healthy.

We Haz Cria

Surprise, surprise, surprise as Gomer Pile would have said. I got home, then went out to feed a bit before 7:00 PM. I look out and what do I see, a fuzzy white cria. He was running around and being really cute. He was born sometime this afternoon. We weren't exactly prepared quite yet so did a quick shuffle to move Caitlin and little Dude into a private area. Pictures aren't great will get more tommorrow.

I am a Grandma!