My first, and so far most memorable, lesson in Alpaca 101 occurred when I attempted to restrain my newly purchased and largest female by boldly approaching her and grabbing her around the neck. In doing this, I was following the advice of several more experienced alpaca farmers. What seemed to work for others, however, was clearly beyond my physical and mental capabilities! Josie plowed right over me.

All I remember from that point on was finding myself on the ground, left side up, glasses knocked off, nose bleeding. Aside from my pride, nothing seemed to be hurt. Only during the next few days would multiple bruises emerge that matched up nicely to where soft alpaca feet had walked down my left side!

Imagine my joy when, weeks later, I found the book "The Camelid Companion" by Marty McGee Bennett. A TTouch DVD followed that recommends a handling method involving respect and patience rather than force. Because we love our animals, Chickacoan Alpacas will embrace this philosophy exclusively.

It has been an interesting four years of alpaca ownership. We've done fences and gates, barns and monthly shots, training for shows and of course, daily poop patrol! We've learned an enormous amount from our wonderful vet, Dr. BJ, and from our alpaca and llama friends. You can't put a price on shared experience, and we're so lucky to have met Dan and Sharon, Ray and Teresa, Gail and Rich and others who share a common trait - they love to talk alpaca and have invaluable information to share!

Our animals have gone from nervous dancers to determined chow hounds. Several times cars have stopped on the road adjacent to our pastures to watch me standing in a field of alpacas - all of them trying to eat from my cupped hands. Routines have been set up and followed. Our animals are usually up and about in various fields when we come out for daily morning chores. When I enter the barns to change water, put out fresh hay, and do my other "maid" duties, they come from all corners to watch, supervise, beg for grain and line up to use the freshly cleaned poop area! In that respect they closely resemble our cats who know the second the litter box is cleaned.

And Now....It's time to meet our Alpacas!

Ladies First!

 

Our silver-grey huacaya female ...
Mother of Tomo

 

Tushpa

Our black female huacaya, whose name means "lively & nible" in Choctaw, has a cute face and mischievous attitude that makes her the perfect fall-girl when devilment is suspected.  She is extremely intelligent and a perfect showmanship animal.  Tushpa has been bred to The Alpacas Garden/Woodlynne Farm Alpacas multiple Grand Champion silver grey herdsire, Silver Vector.  Pregnancy pending confirmation.

Tushpa is being offered in our
"Winter of the New Year" Sale

Please see our homepage for details.

 

And Now...for the Gentlemen!

Our boys...Checking out the Girls! 

Chief

is our photogenic and quite intelligent junior herdsire.  He's a good showmanship animal.  When he's ready to breed, he can be had for a low starter stud fee of $600.00.  His granddad was the famous million-dollar alpaca 4 Peruvian Legacy, and it shows!  Chief's fiber is thick and the color of milk chocolate.  Chief is for sale and may be purchased for $1500 or if you purchase our "Winter of the New Year" package, he will be included.

Please see our homepage for details.

Maxwell

is our handsome and gentle rose-grey gelding with the most adorable voice and a personality that makes him perfect for showmanship. He's already won ribbons with Danelya.

Rembrandt

is the newest addition to our farm and will join our showmanship alpacas.  He is sweet and carries very dense medium fawn fiber that begs to be touched.  His potency is proven and for a limited time his stud fee will be $500.00.

Ben and Gus are our full brothers that share the characteristic of greeting the human who feeds them their daily grain with loud and anxious groans!  Both are neutered and, along with Remy, make up our resident spices: cinnamon, pepper and salt.