Well, today we sheared eleven of our fourteen alpacas. This was our first time to shear the alpacas ourselves. In years past, we have left the shearing to the professionals. However, after seven years of assisting the professional as "helpers", my husband decided it was time for us to try this adventure ourselves. So, off he went to purchase a pair of professional, electric sheep shears and the restraint system just like the one we were so used to with the prior shearings at the other ranch. Some mats were purchased at Lowes and we were ready. With the assistance of our two oldest children and a dear, sweet friend, we began the adventure.
We began with our two white alpacas, who needed to have their dense fleece removed first. If we quit after they were done, we were good. We didn't know how many we wanted to shear on the first day. However, things were rolling along fairly well and before we knew it, we had eleven done!
The only thing that prevented us from finishing the last three animals was that we didn't have enough blades. Darn! We got better and better as we went along.
I now have a room FULL of fleece to process. I'm hoping for nice weather this week! We will, hopefully, get the last three animals (our males) done this Thursday night. What a feeling of accomplishment! My dear hubby did a great job, for his first time shearing! I'm so glad we chose to do it ourselves this go round. From here on out, we have the option of doing it at our own pace. What a sigh of relief!
