What The Kerfuffle

09/09/2026

Everyone, meet Elece “Ellie”! She’s a spunky little thing. We can’t wait to watch her play in the big meadow

09/08/2026

On the chicken front: they all survived the night unscathed! We put the newbies back in their area outside the coop. The OG ladies went out. Maude did NOT peck me when I picked her up. After a while, we kicked the OG broodies out and opened the coop for the newbies. Next thing I know while I was in the yard with the alpacas, the new ladies came waltzing out of the run and into the yard. Guess they’re comfortable. 😄

09/08/2026

And then there were 3! I told Addison last night, “How about a baby tomorrow?” I came out this morning to find presenting “nose and toes”! 8 AM the lil nugget dropped. We have a nice, healthy baby girl. Both of us witnessed the birth. All subsequent “things” have happened, so all is well. She spunky and curious, nursing and running. And a whopping 15.2 pounds. So thankful!

We’re both incredibly happy to have this experience, and to be able to share with our friends and family on here.

Addison is a great Mama! And Wyllow,a protective auntie.
*name to be decided

09/07/2026

If you look closely, you’ll see a chicken on one side of the black fence, and others on the other side of the fence. What’s happening? We’ve acquired 3 more Cochin chickens, from my friend, Haley Lambert! She was who we got the original 5 from, and she just reached out to us to get 3 more! Of course, we said yes. We have to slowly integrate them with our current ladies; Lil Bit, Misty, Sha and Densie (we lost Stacia a few months back).

These new friends will go with them overnight, but look so much like the others, how to tell them apart in the morning to separate them again?

Finger nail polish on a single toenail! Another talent we have. Chicken pedicures!
Yellow=Floosie (as in “A Flat Footed Floosie From Floy Floy”)
Blue=Maude (she’s ornery and she bit me!)
Pink=Dolly (because we NEED a Dolly amiright?)

09/07/2026

Today is day #333 for Addison’s gestation! She had a previous cria in the past, at this day. I do believe that s**t is about to get real for us. We’re prepared as we’ll ever be. I’ve never watched an animal 💩 as intently in my life. Trying to gather back end changes, and it’s not like she’ll let me just lift her tail! So I’ve got to get glances as the opportunity presents itself. The baby is active though, so maybe trying to get into position?
On another note Sassy McSpitface (Wyllow) is back. She assumes the spit posture when Jessie is around. Ears back, chin lifted toward the offensive “thing”. Jessie is smart and runs away. Ms. Thang has gotten me with an “air” shot the last 2 days when I’ve taken them their grain. I guess she’s never heard “don’t bite the hand that feeds you!”

09/06/2026

Hmmmm…https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1DjuPrZWYw/?mibextid=wwXIfr

09/03/2026

08/31/2026

First it was dogs and cats…and deer. Can we get along? Yes, we can. Then it was dogs, cats, chickens…and deer. Then it was dogs, cats, chickens, and alpaca.
Tonight I thought I heard a weird bird call. Like a magpie or raven was mimicking something. I came out, and no! It was Addison doing an alarm call! I start looking for the stranger illiciting the danger response.
So, dogs, cats, chickens, alpaca…and deer!
(With bonus bear and fox 🦊 🐻)

08/28/2026

Doctor, Doctor! We established with the mobile camelid vet today, from Rocky Top vet. Both girls came through with flying colors. However, Queen Spicy McSpitface made her feelings known again (she does NOT like that halter). Shannon and I were able to get some questions answered by Dr. Maria, and she reviewed our inventory for soon to be baby (cria) needs. Glad to know she’s hop, skip and jump away!

08/27/2026

Well, crap. Really. Let’s talk about it. There is another whole side hustle that can happen with alpacas. Manure/fertilizer! Collected some for our neighbor, who has a beautiful garden! AND! They all “go” in the same spot. Handy for collecting.

(Side note, for the entire year prior to my retirement, I said this Dolly Parton song was going to be my alpaca call to dinner! Link for the whole song in comments-thought it appropriate to play it today.)

Notes on alpaca p**p:
Alpaca p**p is an exceptional organic fertilizer. Often called "alpaca gold," it is nutrient-rich, nearly odorless, and uniquely classified as a "cold manure", meaning it won't burn delicate plant roots or tender seedlings even when used fresh.

Benefits of Alpaca Manure
* No burning: Low nitrogen and organic matter levels mean you can apply it directly to plants without aging or composting it first.

* Slow release: It steadily feeds plants vital nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) over time.

* Improves soil: It enhances soil texture and increases water-holding capacity.

* Low odor: Unlike chicken or cow manure, individual alpaca pellets have very little smell.

How to Use It
* Direct top-dressing: Scatter the bean-shaped pellets directly around the base of flowers, vegetables, or houseplants as a slow-release mulch.

* Soil mixing: Mix the pellets straight into garden beds or potting soil when planting or repotting.

* Alpaca tea: Steep a cup of alpaca beans in a gallon of water overnight to create a nutrient rich liquid fertilizer or foliage spray.