Alpacas in California

Current Updates

Thursday, October 30, 2003 10:06 AM
A much better day. The fire in this area is out. The weather has suddenly become like fall. Aria seems to be adjusting. Pati's dad is doing better. I'll head up to Alpacafest and do color checking tomorrow, then head back Saturday.

Wednesday, October 29, 2003 2:18 PM
It hasn't been a great time. The fires, Pati is having to deal with her father that is ill, Lavon is not doing well, and this morning started with Aria's cria being stillborn. Things have to get better...

Mon, Oct 27, 2003 10:19:30 AM
The fires look like they're going to stay away. The nearest is 12 miles to the east, and just hit the top of a ridge. There are about 8 miles of flatland between here and there. Last night, 2 nubian goats came to stay until their ranch is safe. They're down in one of the paddocks in boy's town (Goatville?) The girls in the upper field can see down there, and gave the warning call when they saw them. The dogs aren't quite sure if they need to protect them or protect against them. On top of all this, it looks like Aria is in first stage labor. It looks like "Summer Smoke" will arrive today. Yes, we've named her. Fitting...

Sat, Oct 25, 2003 6:51:20 AM
It wasn't as hot yestery as forecasted. Today is supposed to be Santa Ana winds. For those outside the area that aren't familiar, it was originally known as the "Santana" or Devil wind. Hot and dry. Guess I'll be hosing bellies a lot today. The crias are running around, Pati is out for her morning run with Cisco and Shenda, time for me to go on poop patrol before it gets too hot and windy.

Thu, Oct 23, 2003 6:13:20 AM
It looks like we have a one day reprieve from the heat, only 90 today. The alpacas have been getting lots of belly hosing. Aria looks like she's about to explode. If she would deliver, I'd have until the holidays to enjoy afternoon golf a few days. After Aria, no one due until Sandi.

Tue, Oct 21, 2003 5:09:22 AM
We had a great day yesterday, we went to a fiber mill and got a grand tour. They'll be getting a lot from us. We then went to Onami, an all you can eat sushi bar in Escondido.
We have 3 more days of hot weather, then it is supposed to finally cool off. Pati, the pacas and I are all looking forward to that. We need to have breedings done before 9:00am because it gets too warm.

Mon, Oct 20, 2003 6:49:01 AM
It's been busy!!! New babies, breedings, transport and poop patrol.
On Friday, Summer got weaned to allow Lavon to gain some weight. It always breaks my heart. Summer has now adapted fine. Blade also went over to join Chubacca and Brutus in the little boy's room. Saturday Brutus, Chenille, and Inca went to their new homes. It always makes me sad seeing our family members grow up and move away.
Aria looks like she's about to explode. We hope she can hold out one more day, today is Pati's birthday and we'd like to visit a fiber mill and have a nice sushi dinner.

Thu, Oct 16, 2003 1:03:47 PM
Yep, Sonata was in labor, a 16.5 lb. boy. I have a ton on pictures to get up. Once Aria delivers, I'll get a chance to play a few rounds of golf before Sandi delivers...

Thu, Oct 16, 2003 10:05:54 AM
When it rains it pours. Looks like Sonata is in labor. She could have been yesterday to save a vet call...

Thu, Oct 16, 2003 5:12:33 AM
Yesterday, at 11:55 AM Manda Smith delivered a beautiful, 17lb girl. She is strong as an ox. Lotsa babies around here...

Mon, Oct 13, 2003 10:35:28 AM
It's warmed back up, but we were able to get 3 breedings and a spit test this morning. Mango spit off, Magnolia, Mare and Lavon bred. It's my birthday, so I have a 12:36 tee time.

Fri, Oct 10, 2003 8:17:46 AM
It's been really strange in the weather department here, fog in the morning, clearing at 10:00 am, starting to get warm, then fog and wind by noon. All the crias are loving it. Gigi, Baron and Sox are managing to get Blade to play just a bit. He's starting to adapt well.

Wed, Oct 8, 2003 10:45:52 AM
We had a very nice surprise yesterday. Lavon spit off after only one breeding. It was a 50 minute breeding, maybe she just didn't feel like putting up with it again???

Mon, Oct 6, 2003 10:50:22 AM
This morning was like boot camp here. "Attention alpacas, all of the "M" alpacas report to the breeding area." Mango, Magnolia and Magathy all spit off. "Attention Maresias, since you did not show at your allotted time, you will now join group "P" with Prissy on Saturday. Group "L" is Lavon, you will report tomorrow." What a morning!

Mon, Oct 6, 2003 6:18:51 AM
Manda Smith is always ending up next to Aria, they're both at the bitchy, spitty, mean stages. At this point, not sure who will drop first. Manda was doing a whole lot of rolling yesterday and her teats are "udderly" huge.

Sun, Oct 5, 2003 8:08:00 AM
All of the alpacas are enjoying the Southern California weather. They probably think Blade brought it from Oregon. Foggy mornings, cool breezes in the afternoon, crias are romping. Aria still looks like one of those hospital gloves we used to love to blow up as kids. Soon, very soon...

Sat, Oct 4, 2003 5:28:46 AM
Due to a scheduling problem, I had to drive to Barstow to pick up Blade. He took the last part of the trip in the Jeep just fine. I did get lots of looks by people, probably wondering what kind of dog it was.
What a difference a couple of months makes! He is phenomenal! He has long beautiful locks, and luster that shines. Pics will go up today.

Thu, Oct 2, 2003 10:01:41 PM
Blade comes home tomorrow. We're looking forward to having him back. We wish Sweety was coming with him. We hope she rests in peace, knowing we'll take good care of him.
Aria looked like the alien movie this afternoon, I hope she can hold out until Saturday. She looks big enough, maybe twins???

Thu, Oct 2, 2003 8:05:46 AM
It looks like the cool weather is here to stay. It's back to the foggy mornings. The crias are all romping around, and many times Mango forgets she's an adult and joins in. Lillith still thinks she's a cria, and it's quite a sight seeing a 350 pound llama pronking with the crias.

Wed, Oct 1, 2003 7:57:06 AM
A beautiful morning here, foggy, cool, the crias are really enjoying it. Our "weekend" is Monday and Tuesday, a lot got accomplished with field re-arrangement. Mango and Magathy spit off again, Lavon finally got a good breeding, 50 minutes with Pumpernickel.
Aria really looks like she's about to pop, Manda Smith and Sonata aren't that far behind. I'd hoped someone would have a cria during Pati's days off. I really doubt Aria can hold out until next Monday.

Heat index for alpacas
Formula: Temperature (F) + Humidity = Heat Index
Source: Llama*alpaca field manual
C Norman Evans DVM
Note: We're 5-20 degrees cooler than Murrieta

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