We talk about ADE vitamins and those in the know understand that due to Covid many of the suppliers of these key vitamins essential for Alpaca literally stopped making them. However, here at Kensmyth we must emphasise that all of the herd need these vitamins and on a regular basis. Mothers, older ones, younger ones, cria, older males, young males, you name it.

The quantity varies subject to which brand you use BUT in our opinion you cannot be sure your alpaca are getting anything if fed vitamins or using paste – injections are best to be sure.

Just look at these boys now, super grown and fabulous fleeces, Kensmyth future males..

With lambs already born and the majority due shortly, what better way than to welcome February with a sheep hat and this little lamb of a grand daughter!

We will wait until she is a little older to tell her that cheetahs would most likely eat the lambs shall we?

Well Covid had been avoided at our place and hubby and family had all had the jabs bar myself who is unable to have them.

However, courtesy of someone unknown to us (always the way) we both fell hard with the dreaded lurgy. It took us both out for 2 weeks, is worse than I could possibly imagine but we are both okay now and luckily as neither of us are overweight, we did not have terrible breathing difficulties. Just chesty coughs, flu like symptoms, lethargy and in my case dizziness.. all good things when you run a livestock farm of course.

Daily life continued and we are over it now but not a great time to get it and a warning IT IS OUT THERE folks so do not ignore it.

Ironically for those of you who think you are safe from having had the jabs, hubby had received the two jabs, the booster and the Flu jab and got it far worse than I did!

onwards and upwards – these things happen for a reason and God works in mysterious ways but meantime the cold snap and sunshine are marvellous, as are the evergreen Scots Pine!

Weaning is always a tricky time when the immune system of both mother and cria (yearling once you get past 1st Jan of year they were born) is compromised due to the stress of separation.

Sometimes it is better to leave weaning of males and females separately at different times, sometimes later until better weather comes, it is always a judgement call on the part of the owner who looks and watches closely at the growth of the cria/yearlings and how the mother is coping as she is usually already pregnant for the following year as the gestation is 11.5 months.

Not forgetting of course that the Mother can come up to 4 weeks early and 8 weeks later so the birthing window is a long one folks!

Meantime, differing groups of weaned cria with adults, enjoying the sunshine are faring well at Kensmyth!

As the Alpaca munch relentlessly through Winter hard feed and lush hay in their shelters in the rain.. we eat up the endless mushrooms, sprouts and all that is supposed to happen in January ! New Year, new you?

The vegan option..

and the non Vegan..

Well my wishes were not granted, following freezing cold conditions we look set for a pretty wet January 2023 already.

For those of you who think your alpaca will go into the shelters when the temperatures are wet and warm, think again – here are two muddy examples folks!

look out for wet feet in these conditions as those pads are like your feet when you stayed in the bath too long!

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year 2023 from all at Kensmyth. Health and happiness to all for the year and hoping the weather and climate change does not create too many issues for those already having suffered over the Christmas period.

I am always being told by the family that I take the photographs and am never in them.. it is true. So here is a rare photograph of me for those of you who have forgotten what I look like LOL!

My grand daughter is much better looking!

I have to say we have had a crazy busy year as usual. Mum made a fantastic Christmas cake and a whizz for a hug on Christmas Eve made everything fall into place.. thank you for the year and cake Mum.

I know it takes a while to eat but not with the 6ft 6″ hungry lads here. Who says you cannot live at home forever?

A thank you to all the ladies knitting for us this year too, all our Corporate gifts excelled as usual and orders are flooding in so I am pleased we can keep everyone happy here at Kensmyth.

A barn went up and looked good to start off with but on closer inspection.. best not go there. I do find it amazing that “professionals” seem to be able to do what they want to whomever they want and get away with it. Perhaps I am too old fashioned.

Well a house got started too and um, well, let us just say it will not be finished on time and best left there.

I hope the very best for all in 2023 and I know for us we all wish health and happiness to all.

will we remember the News about the Bird Flu affecting farmers next year I wonder, will we remember the queues to buy frozen turkeys in November as the News announced fresh ones would be in short supply?

Best frozen turkey we have had had, but parsnips do seem to last forever do they not?

Tescos also did a really yummy pie – pity about the roof lifting cranberries though apparently – not my thing!

yes, I know we do not have snow now but I liked this photo – Merry Christmas