Sunday, February 28, 2010

Harry Takes in the Rain

Here's is one of Art Farm's alpacas, Harry Potter, after the rains yesterday afternoon. Beneath all the hair, Harry is dry and warm. He has a shelter, but he doesn't mind getting wet. Beneath all the fur, Harry is less than 100 pounds. Come May, he and his buddy, Mr. Weasley, will be due for their annual sheering.

Harry is a very friendly alpaca, curious about people. If you stand still and bow down to his level, he will sniff very delicately all about your face. It tickles!

Alpacas are very hardy and easy to care for, but they can live up to 25-years so it is not a pet one should acquire without thinking about the long-term care requirements. Also, they need a companion animal of their own kind to stay healthy and happy. As for diet, they eat orchard hay supplemented with llama pellets (a nutritionally balanced feed), and as a treat some Alfamo, which is shredded alfalfa soaked in molasses.

Harry, like our other farm animals, earn his keep as models for student art work.

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