Limerick Link

June  gave us lots of surprises, some good, some bad.  We got a lot done but ended up with extra chores with sick lambs.  We learned too much about acidosis and bloat as well as horn damage.  But we also learned that the Shetlands really are resilient and hardy.  We had a late frost and lots of rain but we also have lots of barn finishing chores to turn to when it is too wet to fence!

Fibre Works Alpacas:  We are trying to co-ordinate schedules to pick appropriate shows for Moonshine.  Alpacafest in Red Deer in July and Olds in August look like good bets.  We have to decide whether to enter him in a full fleece class for Alpacafest.  If he goes to Olds, he will have to be shorn for that show.   He is for sale, so if you are interested, please email:  alpacas@fibreworksfarm.com
The Canadian Camelid Fibre Co-op (CanCam) has great news. The membership drive is underway.  All current CLAA members should have the membership application packages by now.  If you are not a CLAA member and would like a package, please contact Lori May at CLAA Central Office at: (403) 250-2165 or toll free at: 1-800-717-5262.  You can get in touch with CanCam directly at:  http://www.cancamco-op.com/

Fibre Works Shetlands:    We do have a nice selection of ram lambs for sale, so if you are interested, please email: shetlands@fibreworksfarm.com
We should have sale ram pictures up soon on our Shetland pages.  One set of our twins was not getting enough to eat from their mom.  We started supplementing with goat's milk and lamb milk replacer but the lambs did not accept it very well.  They have now started eating creep feed and hay and are beginning to chew cud.   The little ewe did bloat on the supplement and we are watching her closely to try to avoid any more bloating.  We are always aware that our education has a price and fortunately, this time, both lambs look like they will pull through.  In future years, we will start hands on assessments much earlier to make sure we identify anyone who is getting too thin.  We will introduce any supplements more gradually so that we do not shock young systems.  We will explore creep feeding more and earlier.  With luck, we will have more grass earlier on in the coming years so the ewes will also be in better condition.

Fibre, Yarn and the Fibre Works Gallery:   We have started our sock wearing trials already and if those go well, we will be offering the socks for sale through the Gallery. Our Alpaca/Shetland blend Lopi style yarn is also gorgeous with a very soft hand and deep, rich colours.

Bergen Norwegian Buhunds:   You can see the latest pictures of the puppies from the Puppy Page.    We hope to have pictures from the new Buhund owners as the puppies grow.  We will keep you posted.