This summer has been full of routines with the alpacas. On Wednesdays, our friend Trudy meets with John and I to plan which accessories she should knit with our alpaca yarn. We now have a store in our loft and it is changed weekly with each new scarf, hat or pair of mittens that Trudy brings to our farm. All products can be seen on www.alpacashackloft.com. John enjoys these meetings and is always willing to show our visitors the loft and how we spin our yarn.
We were featured in the Farm Bureau paper for the month of July. John was happy to pose with the alpacas for a picture, but couldn't answer the complicated question of what he liked best about the alpacas.
We have changed to feeding our animals with bags that hang on the fences. John looks forward to filling those bags and often asks to "stay and watch 'em" even though we plan to go to Mc Donald's for lunch!
Yesterday our son, Matt, came to do the dectomax innoculations. John has been anxious in the past, but now he is comfortable with being a part of this. We fill the syringes and get everything ready.
All in all, at the age of 39 (soon to be 40 in October) we feel that we have made a wonderful choice when it comes to a lifestyle with meaning for all of us!
Monday, August 12, 2013
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Making Autism A Part of Our Alpaca Farm
We were part of the Heldeberg Craft and Artisans Weekend and John was an involved participant in our two tours. We had about a dozen people come to see our demonstration of spinning, experience feeding the alpacas and browsing our store in the loft.
Our son who manages our business gave the tours, while John and I met the people who parked all over the steep road up Irish Hill with our spinning wheel under the canapy. John quickly adjusted to seeing people approach and was quite appropriate with introductions. Often we find that the more distractions there are with stressful situations, the less John feels the need to control. Our three grandchildren were an intrigate part of the day as well.
Noah rounded up the animals from the lower pasture. Ian kept the grain available for feeding and Mia showed our products to the customers upstairs.
The one side effect of the event was John's expectations that anyone else who drove in our driveway for the next few days would be a tour visitor. We expected that reaction and made sure that we were back "in routine" with no surprises.
All in all-a very good part of alpacanautism.
Our son who manages our business gave the tours, while John and I met the people who parked all over the steep road up Irish Hill with our spinning wheel under the canapy. John quickly adjusted to seeing people approach and was quite appropriate with introductions. Often we find that the more distractions there are with stressful situations, the less John feels the need to control. Our three grandchildren were an intrigate part of the day as well.
Noah rounded up the animals from the lower pasture. Ian kept the grain available for feeding and Mia showed our products to the customers upstairs.
The one side effect of the event was John's expectations that anyone else who drove in our driveway for the next few days would be a tour visitor. We expected that reaction and made sure that we were back "in routine" with no surprises.
All in all-a very good part of alpacanautism.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Anxiety with our Snowblower
We have had a snowy winter this year. Alpacas do not venture out through the snow drifts which necessitates clearing walk ways with the snow blower. After four winters of heavy use our machine needed some new parts. Transporting it in our pickup truck involves using a ramp or some other means of lifting it to the bed of the truck. Not an easy task when you are in your mid-60's like us. Instead, we hook up our alpaca transport trailer, lower the ramp and head to the hardware store.
John gets anxious when we start the logistics of backing the truck up to the trailer. It often involves several attempts and much vocalizing, which heightens his state of mind. Having him with the animals when we attempt this feat has proven to be the answer. Alpacas react to changes in their immediate surroundings and the trailer is parked at their gate for easy access. Consequently, they are very interested in this and their interest matches John's. When we finally get the snowblower loaded, we instruct John to tell the "girls" that they are not going for a ride today.
Yesterday we returned the snowblower, held our breath as we started it up, then went to work. All these little operations on the farm end up being great activity for adapting to our worries and fears. John thoroughly enjoyed the day. Another blessing of the alpaca and autism partnership.
John gets anxious when we start the logistics of backing the truck up to the trailer. It often involves several attempts and much vocalizing, which heightens his state of mind. Having him with the animals when we attempt this feat has proven to be the answer. Alpacas react to changes in their immediate surroundings and the trailer is parked at their gate for easy access. Consequently, they are very interested in this and their interest matches John's. When we finally get the snowblower loaded, we instruct John to tell the "girls" that they are not going for a ride today.
Yesterday we returned the snowblower, held our breath as we started it up, then went to work. All these little operations on the farm end up being great activity for adapting to our worries and fears. John thoroughly enjoyed the day. Another blessing of the alpaca and autism partnership.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Cheap hay feeder
With the economy in a downturn, we are faced with the decision of either buying cheaper quality hay or finding a way to waste less of it. Alpaca Shack's Sooleana goes to the wheel barrow and scoops the hay out with her nose in order to eat the chaff. There are hay feeders that are on the market which eliminate this problem, but they seem expensive.
This Spring I came across the excess flexible fencing that we use to divide our pastures. I have used it to sort fleece after shearing and find it easy to eliminate sharp ends by trimming it with wire cutters. Using three plastic ties, any size trimmed piece of flexible fencing can be attached to a fence. I attach it at each top corner and I use one tie in the middle of the bottom.
It can be fashioned to hold as much hay as you need. Another plus is that the hay easily dries out after wet weather. The stalks that remain are removed from the bottom and put out for mulching. The feeders accomodate alpacas on both sides of the feeder and can be quickly moved.
No more hay on the ground! Voila!
This Spring I came across the excess flexible fencing that we use to divide our pastures. I have used it to sort fleece after shearing and find it easy to eliminate sharp ends by trimming it with wire cutters. Using three plastic ties, any size trimmed piece of flexible fencing can be attached to a fence. I attach it at each top corner and I use one tie in the middle of the bottom.
It can be fashioned to hold as much hay as you need. Another plus is that the hay easily dries out after wet weather. The stalks that remain are removed from the bottom and put out for mulching. The feeders accomodate alpacas on both sides of the feeder and can be quickly moved.
No more hay on the ground! Voila!
Friday, January 16, 2009
Holiday Respite
Holidays are very difficult for people with autism. Over stimulation and disruption of routines makes for much stress. John uses the barn and the alpacas as a form of respite. When he needs to relax, he heads to the animals.
We do the chores in the cold weather as quickly as we can. But, with proper clothing: long underwear and flannel lined jeans, he often asks to do more and stay longer. If the wind is blowing, the animals seek shelter. Their ears are especially vulnerable to frost bite. They wait by the gate for John to hand over some fresh hay and chaff. We often feed ahead for cold temperatures. January has been brutal here this year. Normally we would only offer grain in the evening, but this month we have supplemented with additional grain in the morning.
But, the high light of the day for our herd is the very warm water that comes both at the break of day and early afternoon. Our seven females drink down two five gallon pails in no time. We are amazed that often the pails in the barn do not freeze. We keep two heated pails for the very lowest of temperatures, but seldom use them.
With our tractor to scoop and clear the snow and our trusty old snowblower, we're as snug as a bug in a rug. The alpaca barn is welcoming and relaxing after a hectic holiday season.
We do the chores in the cold weather as quickly as we can. But, with proper clothing: long underwear and flannel lined jeans, he often asks to do more and stay longer. If the wind is blowing, the animals seek shelter. Their ears are especially vulnerable to frost bite. They wait by the gate for John to hand over some fresh hay and chaff. We often feed ahead for cold temperatures. January has been brutal here this year. Normally we would only offer grain in the evening, but this month we have supplemented with additional grain in the morning.
But, the high light of the day for our herd is the very warm water that comes both at the break of day and early afternoon. Our seven females drink down two five gallon pails in no time. We are amazed that often the pails in the barn do not freeze. We keep two heated pails for the very lowest of temperatures, but seldom use them.
With our tractor to scoop and clear the snow and our trusty old snowblower, we're as snug as a bug in a rug. The alpaca barn is welcoming and relaxing after a hectic holiday season.
Friday, October 3, 2008
National Alpaca Farm Days
Here on Irish Hill, it is difficult to attract visitors to the publicized National Alpaca Farm Days. This year we posted signs in three places in order to encourage new comers to keep driving up to the top of our steep mountain. The weather was uncooperative as well; we had periods of rain.
For John, all these changes in our daily schedule are challenges. But, we find that when there is no schedule at all with many distractions, he copes quite well. (This only works for one day or two. If continued, there is bound to be a melt down.) Having the three grandchildren involved in the presentation of the fiber, yarn, and finished knitted products was very helpful. John became a part of their group as we arranged everything under a small tent canopy.
Our first visitors were an older couple who lived in town. John had met them earlier in the week, so it was easy to assimilate them into the day's festivities. They returned later in the day with their grandson. When things seemed to slow down, we made a fire and roasted hot dogs and marshmallows. Our other set of visitors included a one year old darling child, Izzy. For John, young children and their unpredictability produce stress. He chose to remain down by the fire with his older nephews rather than interact with Izzy. We have come to respect his choices in these matters, and were pleased when he came to say good-bye with the grandchildren.
Our animals, the center-stage stars of the day, were very cooperative in sampling the grain and allowing a few pettings. Kitchi, the newest cria, was apprehensive and skittish. We resisted the impulse to pick him up and bring him to the visitors. Our policy at Alpaca Shack is to create trusting alpacas by only handling them in their catch pen. It has proven to create a much less stressful existence. For sure, the stress of these functions is the hardest for our son. But, there is no doubt that these kind of experiences result in more self-control and self-confidence. The National Alpaca Farm Day, if for no other reason that that, was a success.
For John, all these changes in our daily schedule are challenges. But, we find that when there is no schedule at all with many distractions, he copes quite well. (This only works for one day or two. If continued, there is bound to be a melt down.) Having the three grandchildren involved in the presentation of the fiber, yarn, and finished knitted products was very helpful. John became a part of their group as we arranged everything under a small tent canopy.
Our first visitors were an older couple who lived in town. John had met them earlier in the week, so it was easy to assimilate them into the day's festivities. They returned later in the day with their grandson. When things seemed to slow down, we made a fire and roasted hot dogs and marshmallows. Our other set of visitors included a one year old darling child, Izzy. For John, young children and their unpredictability produce stress. He chose to remain down by the fire with his older nephews rather than interact with Izzy. We have come to respect his choices in these matters, and were pleased when he came to say good-bye with the grandchildren.
Our animals, the center-stage stars of the day, were very cooperative in sampling the grain and allowing a few pettings. Kitchi, the newest cria, was apprehensive and skittish. We resisted the impulse to pick him up and bring him to the visitors. Our policy at Alpaca Shack is to create trusting alpacas by only handling them in their catch pen. It has proven to create a much less stressful existence. For sure, the stress of these functions is the hardest for our son. But, there is no doubt that these kind of experiences result in more self-control and self-confidence. The National Alpaca Farm Day, if for no other reason that that, was a success.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Shearing the Crias
Last year Alpaca Shack's Sooleana did not get sheared before the winter. Her gray fleece was the finest of the herd, but I was unable to enter it in fleece contests: the ends of alpaca fleece are hooked and they collect all kinds of debris. So when Kitchi was born in late August, there was no debate about shearing him.
Both Kitchi and Sokanon met the shearer on Tuesday afternoon. One of the risks of shearing a nursing cria is that the mother will reject her newborn. Sokanon, who is fifty pounds at two months, would probably do okay, but little Kitchi was a worry. We kept the mothers in the pen while we sheared and watched before releasing them out to the herd. Both Irish Rose and Alameda accepted their crias, even though Alameda had long since given charge of Sokanon to her sister, Sooleana.
We, except for John, find this chore quite stressful. He delights in every part of the procedure: the tying of the legs, the bagging of the fleece, the finishing touches with scissors-even the clean up.
You can't help but laugh at the finished product-a gangly, skinny, long-necked critter-looking for his Mom!
Both Kitchi and Sokanon met the shearer on Tuesday afternoon. One of the risks of shearing a nursing cria is that the mother will reject her newborn. Sokanon, who is fifty pounds at two months, would probably do okay, but little Kitchi was a worry. We kept the mothers in the pen while we sheared and watched before releasing them out to the herd. Both Irish Rose and Alameda accepted their crias, even though Alameda had long since given charge of Sokanon to her sister, Sooleana.
We, except for John, find this chore quite stressful. He delights in every part of the procedure: the tying of the legs, the bagging of the fleece, the finishing touches with scissors-even the clean up.
You can't help but laugh at the finished product-a gangly, skinny, long-necked critter-looking for his Mom!
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