Hi Renea- what a pretty name you have!! I didn't see your name until now :) I meant to say Hello Renea on the other reply and couldn't see your name when I initially looked ;) Hugs hugs
My sister raises alpaca, she hires a shearer twice a year, it’s a big deal and requires a lot of people on hand. Any advice to start shearing them on our own? Love your videos! Thank you for sharing, it’s greatly appreciated!!!
Hello! So happy you asked! I was sooooo totally stressed out with shearing every year when I was hiring professionals to come do them. The pros are amazing at what they do, but my animals are used to my super gentle ways and they were so upset. I would be a frazzled mess along with the alpacas! So at first, my husband and I took shearing lessons from different instructors. We did it the regular way with tie downs and just going slower and talking to them. This was reallly hard, too. So we got the rotating table and that was a bit better, but that process required a minimum of 3 adults. I was too stressed to use the electric shearers and would be soooo exhausted afterwards because I didn't want to injure them. I did get pretty good but I was like "there's gotta be an easier way!!!!" One spring, my hubby happened to be out of town and on a bit of a whim, I was playing with my super calm relaxed alpaca that let's me do pretty much anything. She's my girl and trusts me. I asked her if I could try hand shearing her, and she just stood there loving the attention!!! I gave her treats and just started shearing away!!! I couldn't believe it- it was FUN! And no one was stressed. So...I decided to try other volunteers and let a few more in to the management area and gave treats and attempted. Some were willing for 10 minutes, others were like "no way!" . That year, I did a few hand shearings and the rest were done with the rotating table. Every year, I'd give everyone multiple opportunities to get shorn with treats standing and over time, they just realized that was easier for them, too. For the first time this year, I couldn't believe how cooperative they were!!! All were amazing and I had the best experience of my life!!!! BUT- I didn't get to this point overnight...it was years of patience and more patience and more patience and developing trust with them. One thing that you can always do is to train them before shearing season. I always like to use a 10x10 feet pen, give them treats and allow them to move away from me if they want, but I touch their back and start desensitizing them. Just a little, every day- and before you know it, they just keep eating and don't care if you are fussing with their fleece. I have quite a few videos on shearing- I think I have a good 20 minute one with Tiffany that shows my process of the shearing itself. More importantly though- is how you train your babies and all alpacas on a daily basis. Hope this helps and please feel free to ask more questions any time or reach out to me through my website and I can give you more info any time!!! Have a wonderful week!!! Thanks for watching :)
It probably tickles! I got tickle feelings just watching! I love your way with them, so sweet!
Lol, they are silly and so fun to work with!!!
Hi Renea- what a pretty name you have!! I didn't see your name until now :) I meant to say Hello Renea on the other reply and couldn't see your name when I initially looked ;) Hugs hugs
My sister raises alpaca, she hires a shearer twice a year, it’s a big deal and requires a lot of people on hand. Any advice to start shearing them on our own? Love your videos! Thank you for sharing, it’s greatly appreciated!!!
Hello! So happy you asked! I was sooooo totally stressed out with shearing every year when I was hiring professionals to come do them. The pros are amazing at what they do, but my animals are used to my super gentle ways and they were so upset. I would be a frazzled mess along with the alpacas! So at first, my husband and I took shearing lessons from different instructors. We did it the regular way with tie downs and just going slower and talking to them. This was reallly hard, too. So we got the rotating table and that was a bit better, but that process required a minimum of 3 adults. I was too stressed to use the electric shearers and would be soooo exhausted afterwards because I didn't want to injure them. I did get pretty good but I was like "there's gotta be an easier way!!!!" One spring, my hubby happened to be out of town and on a bit of a whim, I was playing with my super calm relaxed alpaca that let's me do pretty much anything. She's my girl and trusts me. I asked her if I could try hand shearing her, and she just stood there loving the attention!!! I gave her treats and just started shearing away!!! I couldn't believe it- it was FUN! And no one was stressed. So...I decided to try other volunteers and let a few more in to the management area and gave treats and attempted. Some were willing for 10 minutes, others were like "no way!" . That year, I did a few hand shearings and the rest were done with the rotating table. Every year, I'd give everyone multiple opportunities to get shorn with treats standing and over time, they just realized that was easier for them, too. For the first time this year, I couldn't believe how cooperative they were!!! All were amazing and I had the best experience of my life!!!! BUT- I didn't get to this point overnight...it was years of patience and more patience and more patience and developing trust with them. One thing that you can always do is to train them before shearing season. I always like to use a 10x10 feet pen, give them treats and allow them to move away from me if they want, but I touch their back and start desensitizing them. Just a little, every day- and before you know it, they just keep eating and don't care if you are fussing with their fleece. I have quite a few videos on shearing- I think I have a good 20 minute one with Tiffany that shows my process of the shearing itself. More importantly though- is how you train your babies and all alpacas on a daily basis. Hope this helps and please feel free to ask more questions any time or reach out to me through my website and I can give you more info any time!!! Have a wonderful week!!! Thanks for watching :)