CHEROKEE ALPACAS
of Cornwall

DIARY

11th Jan

Just had to mention my rose grey male cria  is the cutest alpaca must take a pic of him. He is my favorite.  Looking forward to showing him this year,  and spinning his fleece.  Anyone have a clue on how to put an alpaca on a diet?  I have one female who is huge she waddles when the rest coming running over she is behind walking very slowly. 

10th Jan

My lovely digger man Tony also came to my rescue with 9 tons of hardcore for the alpaca shelter floor. Just have to barrow the huge pile in now, while its calm.  All in all a lovely day. Sorted the poly tunnel out sowed a load of seeds, planted all my cuttings.  Feel better but still thinking of selling up. I am tired of having to borrow men to help me out. 

8th Jan

Help arrived my friend traveled down from Yorkshire to help out damsel in distress.  Rain stopped at last.  Put the coops up fixed the roofs, fixed Alpaca shelter door. What a relief. Also had a huge hatch of about 100 rare breed chicks all very cute. 

5th Jan

It just gets worse, two large coops overturned. Had to try and get all the hens out of a rocking coop.  Roofs peeled off the other coops.

4th Jan

I have decide to sell up I am finding it too hard to work with such a bad back.  I will sell the 8 acres of land, stable block, barn, yard, tack room. Probably with all the animals included. Alpacas with 8 cria due in the summer, 11 wiltshire horn sheep all pregnant and ram. Farm shop.  Anyone interested give me a ring. 

3rd Jan

What a night, heavy rain and more gales. Woke up to find young alpacas got stuck outside all night while mums were in the shelter. The door had swung off its hinges, It took all my strength to hold the door back so the youngsters could get back in. Also 4 inch of water in the shelter. Spent all day with a bad back cleaning out the shelter and scooping out the water. I have ordered some hard core to help with the water logging.  The roof has peeled off the stable yet again. To cap it all my new year resolution was to stop moaning.

New year eve

More rain but what a great night.  Met up with friends in the village pub danced most of the night. Sing song led by my next door neighbour in the street.  Bed by 4.30am ish. I will suffer tomorrow with a bad back.

6th December

I have never seen so much rain, it just has'nt stopped for what seems like weeks. I am slipping all over the place. Poor chickens are paddling in mud, the Alpacas look like dish cloths. I think I would rather have frost.  Might have to turn my cabin into an ark.

5th December

For the 3rd time this year I went out for the evening. A friends party in the village, I had a great time. Even my friend Ann forced me onto the dance floor have'nt done that since youth club days.  Don't think I will be asked to do strictly come dancing any time soon.  Drank too much and had to borrow my friends partner to walk me about a mile home. 

1November

Thank god I have a very calm Ram, spent ages trying to figure out how to put his harness on. He just stood there as we were messing about.  All done put in with the girls lets hope for lots of twins next spring.

I seem to have a lot of hornets coming in from some where, been stung several times now. Even one in the car, bit off putting driving with a hornet buzzing about.

1st October

Shouldnt complain but it has been so hot 24c I had packed all my summer stuff away. Had to dig out my shorts and sat spinning wool on the decking today.

24th September

Oh yes another night out with same friends down to our local pub another great night.

23rd September

Had my first night out since February. My friends took me out to Looe music festival, we were all dressed for winter, coat, boots, as you would expect end of September, but it was so warm. Had a great time thanks Anne, Ian, Wade and Glen. I shall expect more of the same now.

6th August

Bad day.  Got the big bottle of milk out of the freezer, don't know how I missed the fact it had a hole in it. The tray had about 2 inch of frozen milk in it, the dogs enjoyed a milk lolly licked it clean.  Then the alpacas let them selves into the next paddock didn't matter would sort them out later.  While looking across I noticed the cria had burrs all over them, bugger. Had to get them in and spent hours trying to remove burrs from their fleece and all over their face, legs.  Lunch time, decided I fancied a beetroot and cheese sandwich its lovely give it a try.  After trying to open the jar I managed to drop it.  It looked like some one had been murdered. Red juice all over the kitchen, up the units, everywhere. Took for ever to clean up. 

31st August

Mating day, Roisin my laid back rose grey, who lay down at the Devon County for Tim Hay to judge and came away with reserve champion. She couldn't be bothered to get up to birth her cria. On mating she fell asleep, Cherokee wasn't put off by her lack of interest.

30 August

Melody went into labour but not a lot was happening, then head popped out but no legs. Call to Tracy again to help out, she managed to get the legs out and baby light fawn girl popped out. At last I feel free, no more births till next year. Just all the matings to get on with now. At last I can go to the dentist, physio,

new baby snow drift                           kiss with mum

27th August

If yesterday was bad, today was worse, had to deal with a grieving mum, Suki is beside herself, she is following me about searching for her cria. Stands staring at the cabin. I decided to give her the cria so see that it was dead. She sat with her for 3 hours, on taking her cria away she gave a blood curdling scream, heart breaking.

26th August

The cria born yesterday who was up and running about died today. It was forecast rain last night so she had a coat on and brought into the shelter last night.  I found her this morning very cold and floppy, rushed her into the cabin with the hair dryer on her, hot water bottles wrapped in a blanket.  Had to call in Felicia from Popham Alpacas for advice, but she was getting worse. Rushed off to the vet, on examination she had a ruptured bladder no outlet.  I am cross with myself, as I usually wait until I see a cria pee poo and feed. But she was so strong and feeding, running about I didn't check her.

I have been trying to get planning permission to live on site for 2 years but keep being refused. The council and the parish council don't think I need to live on site to care for the animals. They think for me to live several miles away is ok. Not only that but with the Alpacas birthing,  sheep lambing, and a 500 chick hatch unit and 14 rare breed pens. They said It all only need a twice a day check.  I hope if any of them read this they may understand without the cabin in the rain having to rush the sick cria inside to make up hot water bottles, make up colostrum, have a hair dryer and fire on. It would have been impossible.  If I wasn't here Snow drift would be dead with her legs stuck. We all know Alpacas are supposed to birth around 11 months and before 2 ish. This year we have had 10 month cria, 11 1/2 month cria I have had one go to 13 months. I have had 9.30 am and one at 8.30 pm.  On top of all that I have had theft, and my studs got injured in a fight, my lambs got their heads with horns stuck several time in the stock fence.  Enough rant feel a bit better now.

25th August

Nothing happening in the paddock I popped in for a cup of tea, on walking past the paddock a cria sat looking at me.  That must have all happened from no sign at all  to cria in about 15 minutes.  Alpacas do keep you on your toes, some bulge at the back end for 10 days before birthing. Some have nothing to see until baby on its way. Some birth at 10 months some at 13 months.  Any way cria a girl not the grey I was expecting but fawn.

19th August

Dry day so thought I would take some pics of my babies.

          Mizzle                                                 sirocco

Look into my eyes, Sundance has the most pretty face, and the eye make up is great.

8th

Tracy here to look at Fantasia I think she has an abscess on her jaw same place as before. Tracy thought it would be a good idea to let all babies out together.  They were fine sundance doesn't seem to be a rough with the babies as he is with the mums.  Just two more to go and they had better be girls.

7th August

Closer look at new cria he is lovely wish he was a girl but still lovely.  Sundance dying to play but I still think he is a bit full on and rough. He is driving the last two pregnant girls mad jumping at them.

6th August

At last she had the baby, and what a surprise.  I was on my way to lock up the chucks at 8.30pm and thought I saw a fawn cria standing next to mizzle. But no couldn't be, at 8.30 in the evening, better go for a closer look. I can't trust anything I think I see with my specs still missing.  But yes yet another boy can only have been a few mins old. As it was forecast heavy rain I brought the girls into the shelter. Half hour later the after- birth came and baby fed.  That is my latest birth from now on I will check right up to dark.  Will have to think up another weather name.

2nd August

Another hot day, Mizzle looking great had plenty of visitors to see him.  As usual Kahlua had to get in on the action. She just wants to be cuddled by anyone she is so very friendly. Don't think I can sell her after all unless she stays here on livery.

With help from neighbours and Tracy, loaded two lambs for slaughter, lovely chops I hope. Back home and moved young rams in with Edward my big boy.  Moved ewes into new paddock. 

When will Bodaga have her baby, she is now 8 days over due and huge.  Lets hope its a girl. Only have 5 due this year and had 2 boys already.

1st August

Well it wasn't the very overdue one it was my 3 day over due one. The rose grey my favorite gentle laid back girl. So laid back she decided not to stand or even kush. But to lay down on her side with crias head and legs out. I had to phone Gary from popham alpacas for advice as she had no intention of getting up. So with Gary on speaker phone I gently pulled out the rest of him.  Lovely Rose grey just like his parents, born as it was mizzling so as my boys are weather named. He is Cherokee Mizzle. This time he really is rose.  Sun dance my 3 weeker was a bit rough wanting to play, I moved Roisin and baby out to give them a break from sun dance.

26th July

My two girls are looking huge, one due 3 days ago and one due on Friday.  Making bets with myself on which will come first.  So exciting when you have coloured alpacas you never know what your going to get. Hopefully my Rose Grey who is mated to my Rose grey will give me a grey. But could be any colour. 

25th

First Pup has gone to new home, next on Wed, last two next week. I will miss Sooty my favorite one who is now called Milo. 

20th July

More deaths, this time the Raven, caught it flying out of the stable with a chick. Have lost around 3 a day but thought it was the fox.  Had a man with a very big gun round to find fox's but no luck. 

18th July

My birthday. Felecia from Popham alpacas whoose birthday is the day after mine, and Terresa from Rosecraddoc alpacas came round with goodies. Pasties and cake and candles.  Lovely treat. Both ladies took the wind out of my sails by looking at little sundance and deciding he is fawn not rose.  He has changed colour since being born.

My poodle pup has run off with my bi focals, searched the garden put cant find them. Slippers I can live without but not my specs.

15th June

Lambs made a bid for freedom, escaped the shelter I had put them in for the night to make life easier for the vet to check lame lamb. Went into different paddocks didn't have to time to catch them. As I had to rush of to the vet to have puppies first jabs. Then rush back to catch male alpaca for a castrate, then to catch lame lamb which escaped yet again this time into the ram paddock.  With the vets help we caught her. Some sort of injury I think it was a hurdle had fallen on her.

14 June

Woke up to find every black bearded silkie killed last night, my fault forgot to lock up one coop.

What a day didn't stop to eat until 10pm.  Weaning the lambs, had to move them off their mums to another paddock.  That was the plan, what a palava sheep are. Two jumped a 4 foot fence back to mums, one jumped electric fence into next doors paddock.  Got them moved and tagged, put them into the alpaca shelter for the night so the vet can look at my lame girl in the morning.  What a racket they make mums calling lambs, lambs calling mums.

11th June

Pups all sold, but one and he is the best and the most calm out of the bunch. Black boy very cute. 

we have called him sooty, likes a mug of tea.

10 June

At last Fantasia had her baby a week over due, I spent all morning watching her every move. Then there it was baby coming.  I had never seen a baby come in the bag before, I had to walk behind and pop it as the baby was breathing in the fluid.  It was snuffly shaking its head and the longest legs. He was born at 2.30  big lad and very pretty rose grey.  Have to think of a name now, as all my boy have been named after weather.

10th June

Loaded up 9 wiltshire horn sheep, gone to their new home in Penzance.

9th June

Boys why do they have to fight?  I have three and one always starts the fight as he will mate anything even the boys. He is booked for a castrate on Friday.  My best boy was cornered and had his leg stuck in the stock fence. Thankfully he freed himself no harm done.

May

After having chickens stolen a couple of weeks ago, then fox attack 2 days later.  I have let the stud alpacas free run of the chicken area.  Now I not only have Cornwalls rook population but also Ravens. Huge birds terrifying my chickens so much that they have stopped laying for the last 3 weeks. Spent last two very hot days trying to net over the runs.Not an easy job on your own 7ft high and 30ftx12ft.

Dashas pups are fat little things, just opened their eyes yesterday. I found Scooter my apricot 12 week poodle pup snatching a feed from Dasha no wonder she is stick thin.

22nd May

Very windy cant do much today except knit, Dasha and pups doing well, never seen a dog eat so much.

I have now tried to wean Kahlua twice now my 9 month Alpaca, I put her back with mum last week and she went straight back for a feed after being away for 7 weeks.  She is such a mummy's girl. Separated her with her two friends today and will leave her for a much longer time. The other girl same age hasn't bothered with her mum.

19th May

Dasha sleeps under my bed, at 4am I woke up to hear her shuffling then a strange mewing noise. I suddenly thought has she had her pups under my bed.  On investigation with a torch I found her curled up in my small hand luggage suitcase. I dragged her and suitcase  out to find Dasha with a mini me black pup.  By 8am she had had 4 pups 2 black boys and 2 fawn girls.    Anyone wanting cockerpoo's let me know.

18th May

Just fed the chucks to discover someone has nicked my breeding Welsummers and my Rare breed Marsh Daisy.  Also watched a fox on the hedge close to the hens. I have now let the stud Alpacas loose along the chick runs and padlocked the hatch unit.

2nd May

Our Cornwall Alpaca show day held at St Austel.  Woke up to wind and cold, after changing my mind at last minute on what to take. I took 3 girls two of which had only had a halter on once.  I was expecting them to play up but they were perfectly well behaved. Arrived to a very cold wind Gary Sanders gazebo only just made to the end of the show battered and bent. We had a couple of escapee Alpacas all added to the fun of the day.  I was so cold I had to borrow Felecia Sanders coat, and Angela's hat, I had about 5 layers on.  Anyway it was a great fun day, our judge Jay Holland did a great job as did Tracy our friend and ring steward.  I was pleased to get a 1st and champion coloured, and two 2nds.  I love our show as it is fun we have a good laugh and catch up with friends.

1st May

Dasha looking fatter now pups due in 3 weeks, will be cockerpoos cant wait.

18th April

Tagged my first lambs, easy now I know how.  Just two more to catch.

16 April

Tracy been and tagged most of the lambs.  Had 3 lambs today with their heads stuck throught the stock fencing.  They have horns now, and can stick their heads though but cant reverse out.

Came to find Dasha had jumped up and pulled the chip pan full of oil all over the floor. Took all morning to clean it up.

I have found out why Dasha tried to get up on the work top, Mice.  I have killed 8 so far hope thats it.

April

Need to ear tag the lambs, what a nightmare very complicated, unlike Alpacas, just register and micro chip.  With twins now running about difficult to know who belongs to who, must get Tracy in to tag them soon.

March 21

Had Dasha mated today, Dasha being Dasha had her tail wagging through the whole process.  A bit off putting for the stud but managed to put up with it.  I now have ewes for sale with twin lambs. I have to many anybody interested in easy care sheep let me know. Little number 7 doesnt need me anymore gone back to his mum for feed, still comes for a cuddle though.  Started halter training today Tia had a strop back flips the lot, gave up after 10 mins and walked fine.  Kalhua  little sweetie needed to be cuddled and walked fine first go. 

March

Looks like the start of lambing been, up every 2 hours through the night watched another lamb born then she had another 5 hours later.  I am so tired just cat napping when I can, its quite nice sitting at midnight with a cuppa with the sheep.  I have one who groans all night when lying down poor thing is huge.  I call her Grandma as she looks old.  Twins born, one of them is tiny so started bottle feeding him but kept with his mum.  Grandma had triplets today but the third was dead. Started bottle feeding Grandma's twin lamb bit small.

Number 7 Grandmas lamb is so cute he runs to me for feed, how will I ever be able to put him in the freezer. Will have to sell him as a pet lawn mower.  19th March all over thank god, can now go to bed. Had a fantastic month sunny and warm, kick them out all day bring them in over night.  17 lambs to 10 ewes no problems, will have a few to sell if anyone wants hassle free sheep no shearing easy birthing. very friendly.  William my old Welsummer has been replaced by a new younger one. He has been kicked out bless him he is blind in one eye sleeps all the time and follows me about.  Diego my old legbar has also been replaced by younger one, he had a limp and minces about very dandy.

Feb

Frost gone now it hasn't stopped raining for what feels like weeks. The paddocks are water logged. The chicken runs are mud and very slippy.  The hatch unit is over full hatched to many chicks.  Done my back in hurts to breath, booked appointment with the physio that Gary Sanders Popham Alpacas recommended.  Just been to physio no touching just warm electric things attached to my back very nice but didn't think it would help.  Cant believe it back  better than its been for years just neck to fix next.  Had neck fixed today I can now turn it like an owl haven't done that for years.  Woke up this morning to do feed round, I never wear my glass's, glanced over the sheep field to see a white bucket suddenly move. On closer inspection I had twin lambs born, wasn't expecting them until mid March. Had to get a neighbour to help get pens up and catch the lambs.

Jan

More wiltshire horn sheep arrived today brings the herd up to 10 hope to have lambs soon.  They are such lovely sheep, so easy to look after very sweet natured.

More frost and the pipes burst again.

At long last after weeks of rain, woke up today to frost but lovely sunny warm day. Even  made a start on the garden.

New incubator has arrived I can now fit over 100 eggs in at a time.  Busy hatching daily again.  New coops on order to fit everyone in, mine are to small now.

27th December

My builder bless him came to sort the pipes out, on sorting the one that had come adrift 3 others burst in the loo.  All sorted,  I am so looking forward to spring.

26th December

Just fed round and could hear a sort of rushing sound, on further investigation a pipe had come adrift under the decking, after spending an hour scrabbling around under the decking I had to look for help. My neighbour farmer to the rescue again turned off the water. At least I have water to the cabin but not the laundry or stand pipes. As he was driving of I noticed water spraying vertically from the poly tunnel another burst.

24th December

The lane is so hard packed ice no one can use it unless you have a 4x4, I sat watching a merc sliding backwards down the hill. I phoned to cancel mum coming for Christmas. But 74 she insists she has been driving for years and could tackle any road and wouldn't be beaten. She did make it after being towed up by a farmer.

10th December

Another thaw, huge mass of poo to pick, pony and alpaca paddocks. Took all day.

5th December

New it wouldn't last, hard frost again, spent the day spinning wool.

4th December

A thaw at last washer defrosted, did load of washing just incase we freeze again, whole draw of clean knickers.

1st December

Water so frozen the washing machine wont work or loo. Remind me why we farm hard work and not a lot of money trudging about in very sexy waterproofs and thermals.

29th November

Out on the ice road with mum, I told her to brace herself and listen when I brake. Not only does my jeep keep going but makes a strange grating noise.  My ex husband phoned and I mentioned this problem to him. On his advice and money I had it booked in to the garage to find I was metal to metal. New disc and pads £500.

28th November

Hard work sorting water for the animals, feed round takes about an hour, today took me 3 hours. Soon as I put buckets out they re freeze within 5 minutes.

27th November

Hard frost, chicken coop door frozen shut had to let them out by the roof, then take a hammer to the door. Tried training the ponies but they were skidding about on the ice so gave up. Tried poo picking gave up on that as well.

11th November

My farmer neighbour popped round and is going to take my ram away. I am so scared of it he charges at anything, smacked the fence posts over, knocked me over. Glad to see the back of him, but will need to replace him next year with a better mannered one

23rd oct

Power cuts on and off all day, I have 5 incubators on, full of eggs and about 100 chicks under heat lamps panic. Rushed round to my neighbour to see if he had a generator, he didn't but knew a man that did. Jumped into his car down lanes I didn't know existed, lovely man lent me his. Just as I plugged everything in electric came back on. However it went off again got the thing going to find the exhaust fumes were deadly. What do you do now, open the doors to let even more cold in but the fumes out.

25th Sept

Early start Griggs open day, took to boys, and a stall of wool.  Why to parents not watch their kids any more.  Kids all day leaning over poking the boys it got so bad that sandstorm decided he had had enough and jumped over the hurdled pen to escape. Yet again same as at the Devon County he just stood there to go back in.  It was great to catch up with people and friends I haven't seen in a while. 

23 August

Of all days for the planning enforcers to come, tents all over the lawn. I am sat on hot water bottle on painkillers due to the bum accident with the pony.  They then took photos, must look like travelers had moved on. Brave lot my Yorkshire friends, they all went swimming in the sea. No wet suits just blue skin.

22 August

As I am living in a very small shed, no room for visiting friends. This morning 7 arrived with tents to camp out on the lawn.  One loo one shower, a bit tight but ok.

18th August

Baby having a real job to have a poo today, straining away.  Got a syringe and a bit of virgin olive oil squirted a bit of that up her bum. That did the trick.

17th August

Planners what do they know, yes baby born in summer month but chucked it down all night not risking leaving baby out there in that.  Got staple gun and Tarp wind proofed the shelter. Then couldn't sleep for worry.

16th August

I have a female who I just cant get pregnant, thought she was last year but it was just fat and wind.  Been watching her so has gary and felicia sanders my experts, Felicia thought she had an udder.  Thought wishfull thinking again, until to day.  Morning feed milk pouring down her legs text Felicia never heard of that  before, text other Alpaca friends not heard of that before.  Couple of hours later baby on the way milk squirting out all over the place.  Baby born a bit gurgly if that's a word, I had watched country file on tv with sheep, so tipped it up and swung it about.  All ok but tiny never  seen such a tiny cria.

8th August

Thought I would have a go at lifting ponies back foot how hard can it be.  Yes got the foot off the ground, she lent into me I fell over onto a hard stone right on my bum.  My god it is sore cant sit down.

17th July

Went to Camborne Fleece show, did quite well. 1. first. 2. seconds. 1 third

July 15

Waiting for first cria of the year and here she is. Felicia from Popham Alpacas has named her Tia Maria.

14th June

Thought I would let pony free range, bad idea, she is very good at opening gates.She let the sheep out and the alpacas. Spent ages sorting them back into their own paddocks. I can now walk her on a lead. Next job is to let me lift her feet.

10th June

At last she has  let me near enough to groom her, she really is very sweet.

June 

I have adopted the palomino foal, she is bouncing of the sides of the stable scared to death. I have been spending hours in with her just sitting and having a chat. So far cant get near her. She is a mess all tangled main, tail, great big matted tufts on her.  Let her out of the stable but she panicked and ran right through the electric fencing.

May

Planning appeal lost, cant believe it. apparently Alpacas only need a twice a day check and birthing is easy, just  time births to a summer month when it is warm sunny and no rain. I wish it was that easy we would all do that .  Therefore according to the planners I only need to be on hand in summer and as they only birth in the morning I only need to be here mornings.  

May 23

A lady has brought 3 dartmoor foals that were to be shot onto my livery yard. Poor things only 7 months old very skinny and shy.  Hopefully they will settle down.

Also went to pick up my new sheep.  Wiltshire horn they are the sheep that shed their own fleece no need to shear them. I should have guessed what they would look like by the name. So why was I surprised when the ram I have also bought has huge curly horns, I am a bit scared of him.  I hope to breed these sheep next year.

May 21

Up at 3.30am to let the chickens out before loading Alpacas for the Devon County. What a hot day my lot arrived looking very damp we moved the pens outside to dry them out.  This was my first time at a big show, first in was Pretty Roisin my Rose Grey girl. She is so laid back no problem and to my surprise got a 1st and reserve champion. Next in was Cherokee my rose male who was hellish dont know why, at home he is so easy to handle, anyway he cane 2nd. As for sandstorm he hates being away from Cherokee and broke loose. I thought we would end up on spotlight with run away Alpaca at the Devon County. But thankfully he ran straight back to the pen just to be with his friend.

19 May

Appeal day,  went to my planning appeal with marc willis my agent and popham alpacas and rosecraddoc alpacas. All went well no argument, all came back here for walk around. The land agent who said I could keep my poultry in a domestic back garden saw that it would be silly to have over 9 cockerals and 500 hens, over 100 chicks in a garden.  They also changed their minds on Alpacas were the same as a suckler cows.

May 11

Yet another very early wake up call, due to the mad blackbird. It has spent weeks attacking my car at his own reflection. He has now started on the bedroom window, he throws himself at it none stop from silly o'clock time.

All silkies have stopped laying, they are broody and sitting on no eggs.  My cockerels definitely have their favorites, the most pretty girl I have no one fancies he likes the grubby ones. 

May

After all the hard work of halter training my show lot, all perfect at home. Attended our Cornwall Alpaca show  and all 5 played up.  Cherokee my stud who is so placid I can do anything with him was the worst, he was a monster still got a 1st though.  It is hard work on your own as my rose girl and rose boy were in the same class. Thankfully Julie Taylor Browne was on hand and lent me one of her helpers to take my girl in for me she came 2nd. Because I took Cherokee out, my little boy who was left in his pen on his own got all worried and tried to escape. So had to get Gary from Pophams to put him in with the girls.  All in all it was dry and sunny day. I took 5 Alpacas and all won something two 1sts, two 2nds, one 3rd.  Next is the Devon county my first go at the big shows. 

April

At last great weather, fields all harrowed and fertilized, grass growing, birds singing. The paddocks are full of rabbit holes which I am about to go out again and fill in.  Alpacas booked in for the shows which I hate doing. I get so nervous I think this will be the last year I show I don't need the stress.  I don't like to leave Dash behind all day or the chickens.  Just been on a trailer pulling course organized by our local group.  It would have been great if the instructor hadn't decided I have the wrong car automatic, and small trailer.  Ok for the experts but not me, I can pull it no problem as long as I never have to reverse I will be ok.  I am to old to try the helpless girl act to get someone to help me.

March

What a month.  Looked out the window to notice my rose grey girl had somehow got tangled in the hay net, then a day later my boy did the same thing. I have re done them now and hopefully they wont get stuck again.  As for the the chicks, I have had such a problem with the hatch rate either to dry and chicks cant hatch or to wet and they drown in the shell.  I have now bought a humidity pump fantastic keeps humidity at 65c 99% hatch rate now. For some reason out of about 60 chicks a month, maybe 10 are female.  Breeding silkies can be such a pain. The girls are going broody sat on nothing as the rest just aren't laying. The ones that were sat on eggs decided to get up and leave them the day before hatch due.  Must find out how long they take to start laying again after being broody.

March 2

At last, good weather, busy day harrowed the paddocks, incubators all full, chicks hatching, life is good.

January 24

Rhianna still no better, called the vet she was to come out at 11.30 but by 9.30 she took a turn for the worse and died in my arms.  My friend Teresa and Paul helped load her into my jeep and drove to the lab.  Postmortem showed she had cancer, a tumor had ruptured around her heart.  The cria was a female grey such a shame it would have been her first female.

February 23

Sad horrific day, my grey 7 month pregnant lady went down in the paddock this morning. I called in the vet we couldn't get her up. She gave her painkillers, ADE,  poor girl was cold and shaking. I had to put my long waterproof coat on her and surrounded her in bales. I sat with her all day out in the cold. By 4pm and the painkillers kicked in and she managed to walk into  the shelter still wearing my coat. If she is no better tomorrow she may have to be put to sleep.

January  12

The ducks head has reappeared again, Dasha thinks its a great find, this time it is in the bin. I hope my neighbours don't read this, I don't want to upset their kids about their missing pet duck. 

I have some men who come out with their ferrets to keep my rabbit population down. One of the men was on the hedge which is about 12 foot higher than the road. From what his friend told me he had caught his foot in a rabbit hole then fell down onto the road breaking his leg. Is that rabbits revenge?

January 10

While out fencing Dasha was very proud of herself with what I thought was an old bone, on closer examination it was a ducks head.  Must of been what the fox killed last week.  Following morning, what a stink I searched about only to find the ducks head had stayed in here all night.

January 2

Heard a racket last night outside, this morning found white feathers outside the door. Mr Fox has used my garden as a short cut to my neighours birds.

January

Haven't put anything down for ages,  my n on the keyboard keeps stickig as you can see, must get it fixed.  After hard frost then rain, my track has become impassable, I have towed out so many people.  Then builders suppliers came bragging they wouldn't have a problem, I had last laugh as he was sinking no way could I pull a 6 wheeler wagon out. 

December

Disaster,  had 3 power cuts and lost all my eggs in the incubator over a hundred. They were just pipping, due Christmas day.

took this photo of my rose boy Cherokee, lovely frosty morning.

December 14

My black silkies are still laying, so I am still  putting eggs in the incubator. I had  a   chick hatch today black but has white tips on the wings very cute.  Sold out now until Feb.  I am trying to find someone to come and kill the cocks as I have far to many.  I tried last week to shoot one. I stood right behind it while it was eating, with the gun right behind its head and missed 3 times.  I cant bring myself to pull its neck, is there an injection to give them I wonder.

December 12

I went off to our local alpaca AGM and Christmas do last night,  I am hopeless at night driving, I creep about at 5 miles an hour and almost stop if a car comes towards me.  My friend Teresa thankfully gave me a lift, we had such a good time and laugh.  We were on the no alcohol lager and for some reason it always makes me giddy. Worse than I am on a couple of Vodka's

Decmber 2

I am feeling very stupid, one of my young black silkies was making a very odd noise for about 3 weeks. I thought he has gape worm as it sounded the same. He has been on his wormer to get rid of the worm.  Today my black cock was crowing and the gape worm one was answering. I have decided he didnt have gape worm but was trying to crow.

Guinea fowl are the most stupid birds I have ever had, they have no sense of direction. They run into the fencing bashing their heads in. Fly into the alpaca paddock and cant find their way back.  They have their own coop and run yet get into the other runs then panic.

December

Still living in a tiny caravan cold wet and damp, waiting  for planning to build a small cabin, not looking forward to christmas. Looks like a fish finger sandwich for christmas dinner for me.  The so called garden is a bog, Dasha is only happy when she is filthy. She could run about in the paddocks, but no she wants the manure heap to play in and eat.  Her diet is now chicken pellets, alpacas pellets, chopped maze, and poo.  But her coat is lovely and glossy.  Spot Dasha in the trench.

November

My new range of chicken coops have arrived, all made from recycled plastic. I am chuffed to bits with them. Easy to to put up, easy to clean, and cheaper than the wooden ones I have. The wooden ones have now swollen with damp and the doors wont shut. I think they will sell well.  Will order more before the VAT to goes up.         

Set off to pick up a lovely rose grey stud last week very nice calm lad.  He is called Horizon Cherokee, whats the chance's of that. Took him into his paddock and my other grey male followed him in (sorted). Now best buddies.  On going to get the trailer  we noticed the fencer had fenced it into the paddock. I think he did it on purpose to test my observation skills.  Had to take down the fencing to get it out. 

 What a great few days we have had, no rain.  It makes all the difference to be out working in the sunshine.  While lying down in the paddock as you do, watching the alpacas, I noticed one of my youngsters limping. Thought he must have twisted his leg while playing about. Just to be on the safe side, I called out the vet, he had pulled his shoulder, looking a bit better today. 

August

Its happened at last, sold the house and moved to 8 acre fields at Tideford Cross.  Still no where to live but busy fencing, making huge chicken runs. I can now have a run for each colour of silkie. Huge run for the POL chickens which are giving me double yolkers. Just built the hatchery for all my incubators.  Just had 22 silkies hatch.  The incubators all full with about 100 silkie eggs.

As for the alpacas, they love it, makes a change from vertical paddocks, they can now pronk away which I never get tired of watching.  

July

I am getting really fed up with the rain, and so are the animals. I moved to cornwall for the weather and the beautiful landscape.  I have all incubators full, don't know how I am to move house with my eggs disconnected and rolling about in the incubators.  Still no exchange, every day I am told today is the day.  All very stressful, haven't even started to pack up. Its a logistic nightmare to move animals and house and outbuilding contents.  The land I am buying hasn't been fenced and cant do that until exchange. Therefor cant take the animals until then.

8th June

Not a lot to report, still spending far to much time sitting on a bucket staring at Suki, is she or isn't she pregnant.  The most exciting news in my life is I had 7 silkie chicks hatch, all so very cute, another 12 due next weekend.  Still waiting for exchange of contracts on my house, how can it take so long?  I dare not pack anything as it all collapsed day before exchange last year. After I had given away loads of stuff, including all my chickens and incubators.  So if and when it happens I will be in such a panic, I will have to beg help from some strong people to give me a hand. Any offers gratefully received.  I will have to throw a party when I have moved.

I went to the VLA talk last night hosted by Di Summers, very informative.  It was great to meet up with other Alpaca folk that I haven't seen in ages.  Its a shame we don't see more of each other for a catch up on news.

21st June

Another hot day, went over to Kerthua to help out with the bailing, had a laugh, I did a lovely backward summersault over a bale that I didn't know was there.

20th June

Took Dasha to the RSPCA open day, lovely hot day, and she came first for the waggiest tail.

Still having problems with Rhianna, on the birth of her cria, he was was very greedy, loads of milk. Then to discover he was going to another mum for a drink.  She is up at Kerthua and John checked her udder she does have some milk.  She also has a very swollen left side, making her look like she is still pregnant. She is eating well. The vet will come out to day to check her over, I cant keep up with the vet bills over the last 2 months.

Had to take one of my silkie chickens to the vet, as she had 2 back toes hanging off. She had to have an amputation. She now looks like she has a pair of slippers on, with the dressing.

June

At last my house has sold again, 3rd time lucky I hope. Last time it was a couple of days before exchange the chain collapsed. Now searching for land, drove around most of cornwall armed with a car load of details. Estate agents hardly ever put up for sale boards, and one field looks much like another.  So a wasted days journey.  I had the alpacas sheared on Saturday, poor things are shivering.   Dasha came running into the lounge last night with a piece of plaster board, not only did it make a mess all over the carpet. But where did it come from, searched every room looking for a hole in a wall, didnt find one.