Alpaca walking, in January
What's new at Alpacas of Ireland
Alpaca walking, in January
Thinking of owning alpacas? We will be halter walking several of our alpacas on Saturday afternoon, January 18th at 2.00 pm People who have done this already have endorsed the activity as "great fun" and "a great way to learn more about alpacas". If you would like to book in, or be involved in the future, let us know by emailing xandria@xandriawilliams.co.uk . There is no point in phoning our landline as EIR have been unable or unhelpful in repairing our line since they clanged their answering service last June. So please phone Xandria on 083-3946-748, or 00-44-7474-108-208, 00-44-20-7824-8153 or email xandria@xandriawilliams.co.uk You are invited and welcome to join us. This is an excellent time to learn more, lots more, about these animals. As usual, we will be available to answer your questions. Booking is essential as numbers are necessarily limited. We accept donations, suggested €15+. Sorry, but these practical days are not suitable for young children. Please remember to bring waterproof boots, to dunk into antiseptic solution when you arrive and give us your phone number(s) before you come. We look forward to seeing you.
Yarn and fleece for sale
We have yarn for sale, spun from the fleece of our own alpacas, and raw fleece in a variety of colours and shades. It knits up as double knit. Alpaca is moth-proof is three times as strong as wool and is wonderfully soft and silky. Balls of 50 gms are available for €7.00 or 10 balls (can be mixed colours) for €60.
Shearing 1
People are constantly amazed at the difference in size between a fully fleeced alpaca, and a shorn alpaca. Alpacas produce a large amount of fleece, as this pair of photos shows.
Gelded (non-breeding) alpcasa for protection from foxes
With the passing of the 'fly'season we have gelded a number of the lesser quality males - those not of 'stud' potential. They are available for 'guard duty' to protect many types of animals from attack by foxes or wild dogs. They also make excellent pets, grass cutters and offer several other attractions.
Icarus and Mace Windu
We are delighted to welcome to our herd two new stud males, Icarus and Mace Windu.
Icarus is an amazingly high quality alpaca with a superb fleece, a beautiful honey fawn, with great density and good handle. He has won several age championships in UK. and his fleece has won many rosettes.
Fleece at 2 years: AFD = 17.57 microns, S.D. = 3.28 microns, C.V. = 18.7%, fibres over 30 microns = 0.5% Fleece at 4 years: AFD = 20.4 microns, S.D. = 3.9 microns, C.V. = 19%, fibres over 30 microns = 1.3%.
Mace Windu's fleece is a glowing and glorious colour, it remains fine with excellent softness and handle. It is an exceptional quality, and especially for a coloured alpaca.
Fleece, at 3 years MFD = 20.2 microns, S.D. = 4.3 microns, C.D. = 21.3%, fibres greater than 30 micron = 2.6%.
Shearing summer July 2019
We were lucky this year for shearing. We were doubtful of the weather on the Saturday so brought half the animals in under the cover for the night. It remained clear on Sunday morning while we did the shearing, but then rain threatened. Just in time we were able to bring in the other half of the herd to replace those that had been shorn, and complete the shearing just before the real rain came down. Our next fun event will be the halter training and Alpaca-walking in August. Join us if you would like to -but do please book in first as numbers will necessarily be limited.
