This is the podcast for alpaca people!

In this episode, I'm considering what a good number of alpacas is. Probably the first answer is going to be... more! They are somewhat addictive and a delight, so why not have more?

There are a number of factors to consider, but they mostly revolve around space - how much physical space for grazing and for shelter, and metaphorically about how much space, or capacity, you have in your life.

Listen in to help think through what is crucial for you and your alpacas.

Thanks for listening, and I hope you enjoyed it.

You can contact me by email - [email protected] - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Waterside Voices.

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!

We had a named storm pass through, but today is calm, still and sunny. A perfect day for breakfast with the girls. Why don't you join me?

Nona was enjoying the pile of hay she claimed - she does like her hay. Later, after I put all the food out and spread it about for the girls, they settled down, but before that, Nona and Hermione got into a spit-spat. Huffing over the final crumbs, or even an empty food trough, which resulted in them both having a dropped bottom lip. Really, girls, it's so unnecessary and sets such a bad example for the youngsters.

I had my chlorophyll-moment sitting in the sun and enjoying the warmth while I topped up my vitamin D.

Breakfast with the alpacas is such a good way to start your day - do try it if you can.

Thanks for listening, and I hope you enjoyed it.

You can contact me by email - [email protected] - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Waterside Voices.

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!

In this episode, I offer a tip for dealing with overwhelm, suggest ways to learn more about alpaca behaviour, and explain looking out for which one starts the drift. There is also an update on the herd and life in the valley.

For valley news, you can also check out my Substack "View From The Valley".

Thanks for listening, and I hope you enjoyed it.

You can contact me by email - [email protected] - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Waterside Voices.

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!

In this episode, I continue reflecting on the cria birthing season and how we can be prepared.

This includes talking to some people, including your vet, reading up and taking some courses - probably too late for this season, but there is always next year.

I talked about them in some previous episodes. Check out:

• Episode 13 – Topical Alpaca Tips with Steve Heatherington
• Episode 22 – Expect the unexpected with Steve Heatherington
• Episode 24 – Jenny MacHarg part 2

Homestead Farm Supplies offers a kit to buy off the shelf. If you are not in the UK it is still worth a look to see what they include.

Claire Whitehead of UK Alpaca Vets offers a birthing course earlier in the year.

ABC - Antenatal, Birthing and Cria care is a good starter book, published in Australia

Thanks for listening, and I hope you enjoyed it.

You can contact me by email - [email protected] - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Waterside Voices.

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!

Memories abound of the magic of alpaca births. Mostly straightforward, but I always liked to be around to be available to help when needed.

Cria watch can be stressful but hourly checks for signs of births and labour means you are likely to be there when needed. Keep it light and keep your distance to avoid stressing the mums.

Thanks for listening, and I hope you enjoyed it.

You can contact me by email - [email protected] - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Waterside Voices.

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!

The weather has warmed, bringing some flies. Including an early appearance by the large horseflies usually reserved for a week in July. I sorted one out that was feeding from Efa. I hope she will forgive me for chasing her around to catch the fly.

When alpaca herds grow, it is either because more are added - a general challenge for all alpaca owners, to resist the temptation to buy more. The alternative is to grow your own through breeding. Listen in for some reflections.

Thanks for listening, and I hope you enjoyed it.

You can contact me by email - [email protected] - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Waterside Voices.

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.

You can contact me by email - [email protected] - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Waterside Voices.

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.

You can contact me by email - [email protected] - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Waterside Voices.

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.

You can contact me by email - [email protected] - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Waterside Voices.

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.

You can contact me by email - [email protected] - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Waterside Voices.