Adding to the Clan

Our alpaca family reduced to two alpacas. Bella, a rescued alpaca from the equivalent of a ‘puppy farm’ for alpacas who is getting on in years, and Tilly, who we have had for the last two years from when he was a Cria. Sadly, they don’t get on, which is not ideal for herd animals, so we were on the lookout.

Brightside Animal Sanctuary advertised they needed to re-home alpacas and invited applications and now we have five more alpacas chomping on grass and filling our hearts with love.

Our new herd, a group of four with a similar background to Bella and a little surrendered alpaca, made themselves at home. Tilly was so excited. More alpacas to play with. Bella walked down from her hill and sniffed them and then retreated to the furthermost corner of the paddock. She was having none of it. Over the last couple of weeks she has softened her stance and now almost mixes with the new herd. Tilly gets confused as his loyalty was to Bella and he wasn’t sure who was boss. I think it’s Bella, but we let him think it’s him. The two herds are almost one. Almost.

I just visited and they are now leaving Tilly out on his own. Or perhaps he is leaving himself out. He has always been a little on the skittish side, so perhaps too many confidant alpacas are more than he can cope with. I’m sure he will be back in the herd soon.

It’s been interesting watching the politics play out. We think two of the newcomers are gelded males, but other than a bit of spitting from Bella and long stares with ears back and tails up from the other two geldings, they have been very gentle with each other. I’ve almost got one of the new ones to eat from a bucket I’m holding. Little steps.

So the other news since the last post concerns the two new chickens. Turns out they were both roosters, so we had to get earmuffs to sleep while we sorted out their fate. Fortunately, we found someone who wanted a rooster to protect his chooks, and since ours was a bonded pair who had sorted out who was the alpha rooster, he was happy to take both. I didn’t want them to have to become anyone’s dinner.

One of Rex’s chooks took herself into the bush to build a nest. Every day, she would come back for food and water and every day, while she was a way, a currawong raided her nest. Sadly, she didn’t protect any of her eggs, so she is back home alone. She has a very safe nesting box, so I’m not sure why she went bush. Hopefully she will stay home next year and protect her eggs.

Throughout spring, the currawongs have been raiding the chook pens for scraps and the occasional egg. I watched one carry an egg in his beak for about twenty minutes, walking around the yard looking for a rock to open his prize. Eventually, he flew up to a post and then tossed it onto the ground. That’s one way to break an egg.

Watching the birds and the animals is a great way to spend time and I have lots of ideas for picture books, but unless I sit down and write them, all they will be is ideas so it’s back to the computer for me after I just take one more walk to visit the alpacas!

1. 

   Thank you Julia. That means a lot 🙂

2. 

   A well earned contract. You have worked hard on your craft. Enjoy the next stages as they unfold. You are…

3. 

   Thanks Julia, will do 🙂

4. 

   It’s great to here your news both good and difficult. Keep writing keep caring and look after that rooster!

5. 

   What an interesting life you are having! And oh yes I remember the lack of syncromesh in 1at gear in…