Every September, some Prince Edward Island farms participate in Open Farm Day and again this year, my husband and I accompanied our daughter and the kids to some of the farms in the west of the island. One farm breeds and raises alpacas for fibre.
The farm had three baby alpacas this year. The little ones were in an enclosure with their mothers and a few others. One approached its mother to nurse and was rebuffed. The little animal was persistent however and eventually the mother relented.
It was shy afterwards and looked out over its mother’s back at the crowd.
Another little one was tired and lay down in the yard and fell asleep. The others ignored it and it slept in spite of the admirers looking on.
There are several colours of alpacas in the flock of thirty-six animals and shearing had been completed by Farm Day.
Their legs aren’t sheared so they look fluffy. They have pretty faces, at least to this observer and their eyelashes would make anyone who enjoys mascara application drool.
The farm has a store on the premises which sells alpaca yarn and knit products such as socks and sweaters.
Griswald, the llama, is also on the premises.
So much bigger than the alpacas, llamas are usually domesticated as pack animals or for meat in the Andes. Griswald allowed visitors, including one of our granddaughters, to feed him pieces of apple supplied by his owner.
A young teenager was friendly and answered any questions people had. He was an excellent ambassador for the farm. We will visit again.
