Unexpected Change To The Alpaca Feed Arrangements Alpaca Tribe podcast

18:51

I am delighted to report that the shearing is finished for another year. It was physically demanding but less so than in some previous years. The alpacas have just about forgiven me, but a few are still looking at me suspiciously and giving me a wider berth than usual during feeding time. Dry fleece is essential for both shearing and storing the fleece. The week of dry, sunny weather helped. Also listen in to find out what the geese and swans have been up to. Spring is well and truly here, and summer is around the corner.Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it. If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser. Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works , which is part of The Waterside (Swansea) Ltd This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy…

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Some alpaca jobs just need two people 17:21

24 days ago17:21

17:21

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, I consider the difficulty of doing some alpaca jobs alone. There is also a valley update about the new ready-made family of geese joining the number one family. Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it. If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser. Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works , which is part of The Waterside (Swansea) Ltd This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy…

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Chilling in the sun with the alpacas 20:21

5 weeks ago20:21

20:21

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! Beautiful spring mornings with the alpacas are a delight. Recognising that we are all connected to the life around us is an important reason to slow down, take a breath, and be present. I have learned so much from living with alpacas, and slowing down is definitely one of the best. Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it. If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser. Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works , which is part of The Waterside (Swansea) Ltd This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy…

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How to speak alpaca - or at least try 17:03

6 weeks ago17:03

17:03

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! We don't really know what is going on inside the head of an alpaca. What are they thinking? What do they think of us? It doesn't stop us trying to speak alpaca, though. And if you can spend time around your alpacas, you stand a better chance of connecting. When you do, it is a bit magical. Spring continues to gather pace and there are more signs of its arrival - the swallows, the cuckoo, the woodpecker and butterflies. What are you noticing where you are? Reminder: From May, the podcast frequency will change, and new episodes will arrive fortnightly rather than weekly. Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it. If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser. Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works , which is part of The Waterside (Swansea) Ltd This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy…

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Valley update and podcast news 19:52

7 weeks ago19:52

19:52

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! Podcast update The frequency of the Alpaca Tribe podcast will be changing from May 2025. It will become every two weeks rather than weekly. The alternate weeks will be filled by a new podcast called View From The Valley, which will focus on the 'other' things, leaving Alpaca Tribe to focus more on the alpacas. I would love to know what you think. Valley update Lake emptied and is back to half-full - weather doing its thing. The geese are nesting and the fox is around. The other birds are noisy. Spring is here, but the grass has not quite arrived. Recent rain will help with the catch-up. Freds is coping but being careful on the steep slopes. Desire lines and the right light levels help him negotiate the hill with his poor eyesight. Try to take advantage of any good weather you have and spend some time with your alpacas. Links Claire Whitehead of Camelid Veterinary Services has just published a new book - The Camelid Care Handbook for Alpaca & Llama Owners: Foundations of Care (Volume 1) . Comprehensive and practical - it is worth checking out. Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it. If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser. Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works , which is part of The Waterside (Swansea) Ltd This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy…

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Alpacas get old too 19:41

8 weeks ago19:41

19:41

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, following on my conversation with Rita of Campo Verde Alpacas and Llamas , we turned to ageing alpacas and owners and what Rita has planned for down on the farm later in the year. Check out the Campo Verde Instagram feed for some lovely videos of Rita, the Llamas, and the Alpacas. Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it. If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser. Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works , which is part of The Waterside (Swansea) Ltd This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy…

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A Spring/Autumn catch up with Rita Soares in Australia 25:33

9 weeks ago25:33

25:33

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, Listen in as I catch up with Rita Soares in Victoria, Australia and hear about the arrival of Llamas at Campo Verde Alpacas and Llamas . More to come in the future. It is well worth checking out Rita's photos and videos on her Instagram feed - https://www.instagram.com/campoverdealpacas/ I was also reminded of my episode with Kristin Llamas - (pronounced Ya-mass in Spanish - listen here ). Episode with Kirstin - https://alpacatribe.com/podcast71/ Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it. If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser. Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works , which is part of The Waterside (Swansea) Ltd This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy…

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An update in the valley with the alpacas 23:54

10 weeks ago23:54

23:54

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, Spring continues to arrive. Which makes you think of Spring cleaning and updating tools and equipment. How are things on the farm with you? Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it. If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser. Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works , which is part of The Waterside (Swansea) Ltd This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy…

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Rate limiting factors for growth 14:00

11 weeks ago14:00

14:00

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, I have been musing about growth. How soon the grass starts growing is a prime factor in judging when spring has arrived. The interplay of the essentials of moisture, sun and soil temperature determines how much growth, if any, the grass makes and how soon. Ours seems to have slowed down - disappointing but nothing to do but wait. Sufficient nutrients in the soil and in what our alpacas eat determine the rate of growth. We are also entering the show season here in the UK and the National show of the British Alpaca Society is this weekend. Also available as a live stream to view online on YouTube- if you are interested. Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it. If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser. Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works , which is part of The Waterside (Swansea) Ltd This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy…

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One way to help your alpacas trust you 26:42

12 weeks ago26:42

26:42

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! Confident and fulfilled owners of happy and healthy alpacas. It is why I do the podcast and I know it is a work in progress. One of the most significant things which helped me in my early days of trying to become a good alpaca shepherd, was doing Camelidynamics Training with Marty McGee Bennett . Here is a reworking of a previous interview with her. Also, she has a free 30 min introductory online webinar that is worth signing up for (but don't hang around) - it is on Saturday 15th February at 3 pm EDT . Sign up here (recording available afterwards for those that register in advance. Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it. If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser. Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works , which is part of The Waterside (Swansea) Ltd This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy…

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Great opportunities to spend time with your alpacas 19:17

13 weeks ago19:17

19:17

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, you can join me as we talk Spring, field shelters and things that make you smile. Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it. If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser. Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works , which is part of The Waterside (Swansea) Ltd This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy…

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Providing appropriate shelter for alpacas 21:17

14 weeks ago21:17

21:17

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! Today was a weather day with a bit of everything. Very Spring-like. What kind of weather protection do alpacas need? In addition to field shelters, natural shelter-belt from trees and bushes are really helpful. Protection is needed from the rain/wind/sun. Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it. If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser. Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works , which is part of The Waterside (Swansea) Ltd This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy…

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Creating the best expectations with your Alpacas 14:04

15 weeks ago14:04

14:04

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! Listen in to this episode as I consider expectations. Everyone has expectations including you and your alpacas. What we do and how can affect them every time. Build your alpacas' expectations of you being a safe person. Plan your interactions to create good, and appropriate expectations for yourself. From my experience thngs cost 1/3 more than we would like them too and always take longer to complete. If you can, go spend some time with your alpacas and get into step with alpaca pace., Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it. If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser. Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works , which is part of The Waterside (Swansea) Ltd This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy…

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What alpacas need and like 14:51

16 weeks ago14:51

14:51

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! Like all of us, alpacas thrive on familarity and the expected plus variety now and again. What kind of variety could you bring to the mix for your alpacas. Listen in and let me share some thoughts. These include what they need as basics - food, water, shelter. But also stimulation and interest. They are naturally curious and delight in something new. Rita Soares of Campo Verde Alpacas in Australia used a collection of unusual objects in the alpaca field to see what they thought about them. Intersting results. Check out her Instagram feed for the answers and an idea for you to try out. Instagram reel with strange objects in the field Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it. If you would like to be in touch, please contact me by email - steve@alpacatribe.com - or leave me a voicemail from your browser. Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Good Podcasting Works , which is part of The Waterside (Swansea) Ltd This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy…

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Alpaca reflections after breakfast with the girls 13:52

17 weeks ago13:52