Kensmyth

we have been quiet as halter training and weather mean constant change and hours – make the most of the sunshine and get those jobs done… alright for some lying down young ladies!

hard to believe its winter really with the temperatures at the moment – we will pay for this later no doubt – I predict snow in march or april watch this space.

Castrated boys are being prepared for all things and they definitely like Puddles LOL.

unfortunately being CLAY at Clay Meadow, it sticks on their fleece, dries hard and is very uncomfortable for them so footwash time it is!

well the sun has been shining for a little while and the Kubota has been moving more “things” around in preparation… the clue is in what they are as to what they are for LOL. Sheep hurdles in case you didn’t guess – nearly lambing time folks.

it has been a difficult week and with Hubby away, a curry was the order for Valentines Day from my boys – what else?

And for me … can you guess?

I found myself winding to Church for the Remembrance service of my friend who I realised I had known nearly 50 years and she would have been proud of the full Church that day…

she adored her Bichon Frise – don’t we all love dogs in our life…

such a lovely lady, so kind, such a good friend to have known almost all of my life… she lived in the moment and was always hopeful… I thought she would appreciate these words too…

well, I was going to leave the testicle issue alone but I think it is sooo important for new Alpaca owners to understand that ongoing care onsite observation and Veterinary experience is so key to a successful Alpaca farm.

the boys (3) castrated a while ago, at a typical age (2+) reacted differently as we all do. one perfect example healed almost immediately, second a few minor issues but nothing major, the third required constant supervision and barn stay until out of the woods for potential infection. Starting in perfect castration weather (cold, ice, snow, low temperatures so less risk of mud/fly strike etc) but ending in muddy warm (14 degrees) conditions it is key to know EXACTLY what is going on with your Alpaca – 24/7

as the right testicle area had swollen requiring antibiotics and pain relief, the next issue was the underneath of the Alpacas tail – referred to as the DOCK – was rubbing on the enlarged swollen area where the testicle had been and incision had been made and would not normally be in close proximity.

this time with the fleece from underneath the dock trimmed back and the aid of sudocreme applied carefully to the wound in sterile conditions and ongoing jabs administered… you can see the difference and eventual full recovery.

so please, don’t tell me Castration in Alpaca is routine and they can just be thrown out in a field to recover LOL

GRAPHIC

Alpacas everywhere I turn with Spring on the way, I love the hint of Spring, the air smell seems to change – can you smell the hope of newborns to come?

Sooo many people seem to think Alpaca are easy to keep and Castrating is a breeze of a Vet in, out, snip, snip and back in the field – I wish!

Each Alpaca like each human will recover at a different pace and if you throw them out into wet, muddy fields where they may over exercise, is it surprising that FB sites are full of newbie owners wondering why their recently castrated alpaca are then ill?

The castrated boys recently done here at Kensmyth were kept in for 48 hours in near sterile conditions, monitored for temperature and/or potential infection and then slowly let out for a short period at a time so no issues here in that respect…

however, one healed almost immediately, one took a while longer and one blew up like a balloon – all sorted obviously but needing careful ongoing aftercare just as any “operation” would to avoid infection.

I get the greatest jobs taking photos don’t I? good job our boys have such fab temperaments

GRAPHIC PHOTOS FOLLOW

well it has been wet lately and the “Clay” of Clay Meadow gives a clue as to our ground make up LOL. Being on a hill helps a little but it doesn’t stop the Farmer getting wet… such a great look isn’t it?

but hubby always comes up with the goods – bless – warming food pre Valentines to share!

well after the phone calls re the castration photos I have been asked if they are for sale a zillion times and the answer is still “jurys out” they are undergoing halter retraining whilst convalescing but as one cuts over 3.5 kg and the other 4kg and both are white, I really would prefer they join the Walking Team and I get to keep their fleeces for our products – best bloodlines produce best fleeces and castrates produce superb fleeces.

meantime (sorry Mum) Ollie and I found these amongst the carrot bags and it started me off again on the fact that the Supermarkets are missing such a marketing bonanza by not using genuinely wonky carrots – you couldn’t make these up if you tried LOL…