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Shearing
Of course, these are fiber-producing animals. We shear annually in the spring, which also helps the animals deal with our hot, humid
summers. From past experience, I now shear ALL my animals in the spring, including the spring crias. They may appear too young, but
they can grow an incredible coat by July or August and really suffer as a result. Actually, the quality of the fiber at next shearing is also
greatly improved, as that birth fiber can be just like velcro!
Shearing
In our area, alpacas are shorn annually in the spring. Typically this is necessary to insure the quality of the fleece. Fleece left on an
animal for much more that a year will lead to matted fiber with lots of debris nestled in it. Most processors prefer fleece lengths that are the
equivalent of one year's growth for if the are too long, they are not handled well by the machines used to process the fiber.
We shear annually in April or May to help the alpacas cope with the heat and humidity of the summer months. As you look at alpaca
pictures in magazines or on the web, you might see various "hair styles" on the animals. In some areas of the country, complete shearing
is not necessary to tolerate the warmer months, and breeders will leave some fiber on their animals to demonstrate the fleece quality.
"Poodle" or "lion" cuts, where only the blanket or prime fleece around the trunk of the alpaca is removed, are fairly popular. Sometimes to
provide a window for the heat to escape, only a belly cut will be done. In this case only the fiber on the abdomen is removed. Shearing
makes the alpacas look absolutely silly and it is always a shock for the first week or two after shearing to see them in the pasture without
their clothes on.
About half of our fiber is shipped to the Alpaca Fiber Cooperative of North America. Sometimes we will sell fleeces directly to spinners and
hand crafters, or have it processed at small mills here in North America. The possibilities are numerous and exciting.
Of course, these are fiber-producing animals. We shear annually in the spring, which also helps the animals deal with our hot, humid
summers. From past experience, I now shear ALL my animals in the spring, including the spring crias. They may appear too young, but
they can grow an incredible coat by July or August and really suffer as a result. Actually, the quality of the fiber at next shearing is also
greatly improved, as that birth fiber can be just like velcro!
Shearing
In our area, alpacas are shorn annually in the spring. Typically this is necessary to insure the quality of the fleece. Fleece left on an
animal for much more that a year will lead to matted fiber with lots of debris nestled in it. Most processors prefer fleece lengths that are the
equivalent of one year's growth for if the are too long, they are not handled well by the machines used to process the fiber.
We shear annually in April or May to help the alpacas cope with the heat and humidity of the summer months. As you look at alpaca
pictures in magazines or on the web, you might see various "hair styles" on the animals. In some areas of the country, complete shearing
is not necessary to tolerate the warmer months, and breeders will leave some fiber on their animals to demonstrate the fleece quality.
"Poodle" or "lion" cuts, where only the blanket or prime fleece around the trunk of the alpaca is removed, are fairly popular. Sometimes to
provide a window for the heat to escape, only a belly cut will be done. In this case only the fiber on the abdomen is removed. Shearing
makes the alpacas look absolutely silly and it is always a shock for the first week or two after shearing to see them in the pasture without
their clothes on.
About half of our fiber is shipped to the Alpaca Fiber Cooperative of North America. Sometimes we will sell fleeces directly to spinners and
hand crafters, or have it processed at small mills here in North America. The possibilities are numerous and exciting.
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