Shearing Day 2023

We had a very successful Shearing Day last Friday. We had a new team of shearers and they were extremely efficient and strong! All hands were on deck to help and it was very nice to have Liz back in action! She had just had knee surgery last year so she had to sit and direct us. This year she walked over 20,000 steps taking alpacas back and forth to different fields!

Shearing is essential for the animal's health. If you don't shear them, the hair will grow too long, could cause heat stroke and damage their skin and muscles. They are shorn once a year, usually in May before it gets too hot. They are roped on their legs and spread out on a map. This does not hurt them. They don't love it, but if you didn't do it this way it would be impossible to shear! Some alpacas just lay there and don't seem to care at all. Others scream from the second they lay down until they're done! Drama QUEENS! Lol. While they're down for a haircut they also have their teeth grinded down and toe nails clipped. Spa day for the pacas!

Paige helped us this year and it was so nice to have her. Wade was the only grandkid that got to skip school to help and he was a HUGE help. 

All the fleeces were bagged up and my mom will go through them to "skirt" them (clean them by picking out dirt, hay, etc.) Then she and Liz will decided what fleeces will be sent to the fiber mill to be made into yarn. Mom and Dad will drive it up to Vermont in June and we should have our yarn back to sell early September. It's a long process but so worth it! 

 

Shearing Day 2022

The sky was blue, the rain was far away and the breeze was perfect! Shearing Day 2022 was a perfect weather day. 40 alpacas are sheared and happy! Here are some pictures from the day...

 

Haircuts for ALL!!!

This past week was shearing day(s) here at Arrow Acres Farm.

This used to be just one day but now that the herd has grown tremendously and the rain was on it's way, the shearers arrived after dinner and they started their jobs early.

Haircuts for all...

Why we do it, how we do it, and anything I else I can think of to share.

Why do the alpacas get sheared?

 1- Their health. That fleece is HOT!!!!! That's a good thing for the horrible cold winter we had here at the Jersey Shore, but not good for the hot steamy nights that are on their way.

If we left all that fleece on the animals, they could over heat, have heat strokes and well...you get the idea. Not a good outcome.

 Reason #2:

YARN!!!!!! That gorgeous fleece will be cleaned, carded and turned into luxurious yarn and roving that we use and sell at the farm. Heaven I tell you!!! Hypoallergenic, soft, beatiful colors, warm and perfect.

Who does the shearing?

I'm sure you could do this yourself, but we call in the pros.

These guys are awesome. They work their butts off, work efficiently, do a great job and tell great stories all at the same time. They spend a few months out of the year on the road traveling from farm to farm shearing animals. Lucky for us, they arrived the night before our scheduled shearing day and got a jump start before the rain came.

How do the animals get sheared and do they like it?

For the safety of all involved (animals and humans) they alpacas are tethered around their legs,

spread out on the ground and as quickly as humanly possible, are sheared with electric clippers.

They also get their toenails clipped, teeth trimmed if needed, shots if needed at the same time.

The whole process takes 10 minutes or less. All hands are on deck, fleece is bagged, labeled, cleaned up and onto the next one before you know it.

Do they like it? Ummm....yes and no. Some don't seem to care. Some scream, holler, spit and pee. Yeah, good times. But once they're sheared, let loose they are soooo happy.

     

Even the little guys like to see what's going on...

Everyone helps around here. Even the littlest guys if they can.

What do they look like under all that fleece?

See for yourself.... (picture by my sister, Andee)

 

 Funny looking!!!!!!! That's what I think!

So it was a successful 2 days. Exhausting all around.

I personally was on kid duty. I did not do the physical labor in the barns. But the little boys wore me out! Shearing Day brings the whole family together. We all join together to help if we can.

I don't know what other farms are like, but we all try to help as much as we can as a family.

My  mom and dad own the farm, my two sisters and I all help out and between the three girls, we have 7 sons that chip in too.

While we were waiting for the shearing crew to arrive on Wednesday night, I took a bunch of pictures of the family hanging out. The calm before the storm....

 

That's the crew and everyone's new haircuts!

Our farm will be OPEN Saturday May 24th from 11-4. Come on by to see these critters for yourself!

And our store will be open. We have a lot of new spring/summer merchandise in.

-Leanne