the oil is called suint. It is nothing like what you find on a sheep. I blow all the dust off the animal and most ot the vegetable matter. You can pretty much spin it like that without washing but if you want to wash it first you just use a little shampoo and warm water without agitating it or it will felt

that is a pretty close read. THey all act shocked then it happens to them and its their turn to spit while everyone smells them

Everytime one of them comes back shorn the whole herd goes nuts wanting to investigate what might be a new comer no matter how many times they have seen it. It is just the two of us working on this and we are realizing our age.My helper had surgery on his neck last fall so we are intentionally moving slowly and carefully. This one may have taken an hour start to finish. THis is the only time annually I get to examine the animals general condition, trim nails and teeth if needed.Also when shearing I have to make sure each swipe is clean and not be tempted to make a second cut as it makes more work when skirting the fleece.

no. THey scream a lot at first but if you let them up they walk away like nothing was going on. I blow out as much dust and vegatable material before I sheer and there are a variety of reactions to that but when you start peeling back 4 inches of fleece you can start to hear them sigh with relief

Incas believe Pachamama their mother god gifted them alpacas and llamas or their antecedents.THey use them for clothing and food.THe royalty used to have warehouses of alpaca fleece . Commoners could only wear llama which was coarser. If I recall correctly cloth or fleece from alpaca was valued more than the gold the Spaniards valued. The Spaniards burned the warehouses and tried to slaughter the alpaca herds. The survivors escaped and lived in the altiplano of the ANdes/

@btroje wow.... that's a beautiful knowledge and tragic story, yet the value persists. thanks.

@btroje wasn't there a strict limit, years ago, to how much alpaca fleece was allowed out of south America? Before alpaca became prevalent in other countries?

@amateurstargazer I do not know for sure but it wouldnt surprise me. THey are the cultural heritage of a number of South American countries. The Vicuna is the animal the alpaca was derived from. They can not be bought or sold I think even in south America. THey are captured sheared and released annually. THeir fleece is super fine. I forgot to say in an earlier post the pre-Spaniard invasion alpaca had fleece of similar fineness. NOt sure if it is only lore but have heard of floor length garments that could be compressed to a size held in your fist the fiber was so fine

it really is

@btroje Lucky you!

alpaca lips now

@btroje I love the smell of sheared animal hair in the morning

@CraeftSmith totally. it makes me think of victory

thanks. THis one was like shaving a barrel so I missed some on top coming round the side.Thankfully not trying to do a show cut