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Island Alpaca 1st Annual Shearing Day - April 2008

Enjoy photos from last years First Annual Island Alpaca Shearing Day, Saturday April 19, 2008!

Shearing is an important part of alpaca farming, and benefits the alpaca greatly to get some relief with the onset of the warmer weather to come.

Alpacas are shorn once a year in the Spring. Each alpaca produces between 3 and 10 pounds of fiber depending on age, genetics, environment and nutrition.

Alpacas can be shorn standing up or stretched out on the ground or a table with out any harm to the animal. We prefer to lie them down, tying the front legs together and the back legs together. This method allows the shearer to work faster and get a more even cut. We think it is less stressful too because it is faster. Typically each animal is shorn in less than 10 minutes.

Not only does shearing keep the alpaca cool and comfortable, it provides us with valuable fleece that can be processed into yarn, roving or simply felt, and then later, beautiful hand made products that we feature at our farm store.

This event was fun and informative for individuals of all ages!