Shearing at Tucker Creek

Yesterday I traveled to Astoria to check on Brandy and help with shearing. I didn't realize how compact she really is. Just before shearing she was weighed at 127 pounds! Peggy said that was excellent based on previous weight issues just before breeding in 2007. So shearing begins and 8 pounds yes 8 pounds of fleece is removed!! Carrie Hull of Coarse Boards Inc. gave Brandy's fleece excellent remarks. It was bagged and I brought it home. I plan to send Carrie Brandy's 2007 fleece to get graded and sorted as well.

Today NWA sent me an email and it was agreed that Pearl would be bred to the Godfather for a May 2009 baby.

CRAP: Not such a great start!

Today, 06/05/08, I observed Pearl was very uncomfortable. She was up and down and rolling. I called Steve at NWA and he mentioned she might trying to move the baby around inside. Well I'm here to tell you that my Shepherd's eye was not wrong. Something truly was wrong with Pearl. When I arrived home, I did not check the field immediately, but decided to send an email to Dr. Jones of the Woodburn Vet clinic. After that, my gut told me to check the field. I went outside with a flashlight and observed an aborted cria in the field. I walked out to check it and low and behold there were 2. Pearl was carrying two Providence babies all this time. Now in the world of Alpacas, two babies is very un-common.

Sooo, I must share with you that even though this is a business... I'm kind of bummed out that I won't be having a healthy Providence baby! Hopefully today's event isn't a sign of what's to come.

Update: Today Steve and Jose brought over another girl that I recently purchased; Amber Shayda. She has adapted well. Steve, Jose and I looked at both cria and Pearl had both a boy and a girl. RATS!! Soo away went Pearl back to NWA for re-breeding and now I must decide who the lucky stud will be!

Next post I probably will be sharing a few birth stories. Brandy 06/16/08 and Marchmellow Cream 06/19/08 (M.C. give me a girl...Providence sire)