Well, I just can’t get enough of the new ladies. Here’s some scenes from the past week.
Brandy is trying to blend in and be one of the gang. Stretch that neck, girl!
Tia (the white one) is definitely the most outgoing. Junie is very willing to let her make the first overtures.
Hello, dog. You must be Keela!
Look! Cows!
Lucky wants an introduction, too.
Junie is more laid back. I sense she is the funny one.
Take that!
Gorgeous.
I think it is going to be harder to win Tia’s affections.
You try to woo me with treats? Ha! I will not even look at your treats!
Like all alpacas, they are super alert all the time.
I find them scanning the field every morning.
They get a little more comfortable every day. I can now identify two very distinct hums for communication. Their concerned hum is higher pitched. They sounded this a lot the first couple of days, but now only when the goats are running/playing and get a little too close. Their happier hum is quiet and sounds like a cow in a pasture far, far away. I hear this when they’re munching on grass. Unlike the first few days when they stuck to each other like glue, they wander away from each other now and then. I hear Junie’s hum get higher when Tia strays too far.
They don’t let me pet them, or even get within an arm’s length. But I hold their food bowls when they eat, and I’ve finally gotten them to take a treat out of my hand. Baby steps, I guess.
For me, they’re so calming to observe. After a couple minutes of watching them I swear I’m a little more relaxed. Nice bonus, right?
I’m so grateful they’ve had a peaceful introduction to the barnyard. All the animals have been respectful of their space and gently curious. Somebody’s a little miffed that they’re getting all the attention, though.
Don’t worry Doinkers. You know we love you, too. 🙂
Have a great weekend!
**Shared at Our Simple Homestead, Homestead Hop, (mis)Adventures Monday and Simple Saturdays**
They are so beautiful and I love seeing them find their way with the other critters. They look so elegant and have such lovely faces. I am sure you will soon win their affection. You have a such a diverse animal family, it is a joy to watch them through you.
Carol Caldwell recently posted…I’m a bad chicken mom
Thanks Carol! It is joy to have them around 🙂
So glad you’re enjoying them. If you haven’t already heard them make an alarm sound and know what it is, you’ll soon find out. They have excellent eyesight and they can see things off at a great distance and warn the other animals of “there’s something strange out there” call. It sounds kind of like a high pitched squeaky wheel and a bray at the same time. I have a couple of males that are very macho, but when it comes to a toad or a mouse they are big babies! They’ll run out of the barn and alarm and look back in like it’s some kind of monster after them, then the girls run outside on alert and are looking around expecting something awful and terrible! They also become familiar with who belongs on their homestead and who doesn’t. They all know my dog and our two indoor-outdoor cats, but if you have a strange cat or dog come into our area they will let me know right away. Speaking of dogs……I love them dearly, truly, but they, domestic dogs, are one of the biggest killers of Alpacas. Don’t ever underestimate your neighbors sweet dog because they can do a lot of damage very, very quickly. We have six foot no climb fencing almost completely around our property, but I’m still on guard as I found out that second year we had the Alpaca that it isn’t as safe as we thought. One day a dog (Choc. Lab and his buddy) almost got over as I watched in disbelief. They meant business too, but luckily we got both of them and kenneled them and then searched the country mile to find the owners, which we did. I gave them a warning and let them know that we couldn’t have them on the property and what they were up to. The owner couldn’t believe that his dogs would ever do anything like that. I told him, “who does”! But dogs are dogs and what one doesn’t think of the other will! You’ll learn their body language and as you have mentioned, they have their own personalities for sure! They are very comforting and relaxing to watch. I like that all of your animals seem to be getting along with them too. That’s great! Tell Doink, no matter what, there is no one like him and that he is the cutest pig in the world and that’s pretty hard to top. Enjoy your new girls. They are beautiful! Sorry for the long post, but it’s nice to know of someone else who has these animals and is enjoying them.
Wow, what a great addition to your acreage. The calming effect is a definite bonus. Enjoy your new charges.
daisy recently posted…Seed to Table Series-Peppercorn
Yes, it’s impossible to be frantic around them 🙂 And I’m often frantic, so a huge bonus!
I’m considering raising alpacas, but I’ve got a long way to go before I’m ready for them. It’s great to see yours getting along well, and I look forward to learning more about them.
Jenny recently posted…Crochet is the Way is Drowning
I’m enjoying learning—they’re so interesting!
Alpacas are so silly. Enjoy yours! (You’re doing the Write 31 Days Challenge, too? See you there. I’m writing about apples.)
They look like so much fun!
Jamie @ Medium Sized Family recently posted…6 Reasons You Should Not Have a Big Family
They are!