News from Blue Moon Ranch


July 2012

It's been a busy month at the ranch! But shearing day is over, the fleeces and the animals all look great, and we are starting to get excited to welcome some new crias into the herd.   

In This Issue
Amazing Male Sale continues
Shearing Day 2012
Alpaca Lawn Mowers?
Open Barn Days 2012

Amazing male sale is still on!

Jethro

Four boys have been sold. But there are still many amazing boys left. 

click here for more information on our Amazing Male sale of 2012

Griffin
Griffin


Quick Links





   Our New Arrival!

This month we welcomed BMR Indie to the herd. He was born on Independence Day and is a real firecracker. ;)  He found the 'milk bar' before he was an hour old and seems to be a very happy cria.  His sire is Bull, his mom is BMR Liza and he is a very handsome guy.  Our grandson happened to come for a visit just a minute or 2 after the birth and got to give Indie a "one finger pat" before he could even stand up.

 You can see more pictures of Indie on the "what's new?" page of our web site.

  

 

Shearing Day 2012  

was a huge success!

 

What a day! Thanks so much to all our fabulous helpers who really ran the day like pros! Some of the comments I heard were: "It worked like a well oiled machine" and "nicely organized chaos". Many bags of fleece have already been skirted and sorted and sent off to a local mill where they will be washed and carded, and back here in time for me to spin them for Open Barn Days!  I think you will love this year's yarn.  Roving and batts will also be for sale for our spinning friends!

  

Monroe before shearing
Monroe before shearing.

   

Monroe after shearing
Monroe after shearing.

 

 

 

  Do Alpacas mow your lawns?   

alpaca lawn mowers 

 

Well ours do, and we can feel safe about it because the "lawn" is actually pasture grass that was planted just for them.  Some common lawn grasses however are NOT so safe for alpacas, so do use caution if you try this!  Rye grass, very common in many lawn blends can give alpacas something called "rye staggers" and can make them very sick.  So I hope you do enjoy the benefits of a quiet and "green" mowing service if you own alpacas, but be aware of what it is that they are eating. :)  If you aren't sure, a county extension agent can usually help you identify grasses. 
 6 Tips for Helping Alpacas Survive the Heat

The Blue Moon herd has a perfect stream to help them keep cool, but here are some tips if you don't have a stream in your pasture.

1.  Hose off bellies and legs of your alpacas with a garden hose - even the most timid will approach you to get cooled off. If you haven't already done so this is a great time to teach them their names!  

 

2. Provide fans inside the barn.  However, check often! If you have crias due, a mom can give birth in front of a fan and the baby might get severely chilled.

 

3.  Put out a bucket of cool water with electrolytes.  A splash of lemon lime Gatorade works well.

 

4.  Provide shade for all alpacas. The timid ones will be left out in the sun if there is not enough space.  Consider tents or canopies to help.  

 

5. Consider running a timer attached to a sprinker hose to cool them when you cannot be home. Concrete pavers placed around the sprinklers help to minimize mud.

 

6.  Always be sure your alpacas have been shorn before the heat of summer arrives. 

 

  

 

   Mark your Calender

Please plan to join us for our 8th annual Open Barn days! September 29 and 30, 2012 from 10 til 4 both days. We will have soft handspun yarns made from our animals fleeces and many finished items for sale.   We will have all sizes of our popular alpaca extreme socks available and some fabulous new soap scents as well as the best sellers from last year!

We have also added new vendors this year!  We will have Alpaca felted hats for sale by Hargrove Studios and an Angora Bunny booth from Antelope Island Angoras! There will be angora products and if the weather is cool enough, some angora bunnies too!  Visit the alpacas, and enjoy a relaxing day at the ranch.

Raw fleece, unique carded batts and rovings will also be for sale for our spinning friends. Free admission, more details here

.

 openbarndays2010 

 

Thanks for taking the time to read this newsletter!  Please feel free to send comments or suggestions via email to linda@bluemoonranch.net