The alarm went off at 6.35 and up we got. Skye went straight into the living room to nap with the kittens while I went to work. She’s a lazy sod aye. I fed Rascal and then went into the chickens. It looked different in the shed with the pallets moved and the half ring feeder gone. I was early so there were only 2 eggs. One of the three cockerels was cockadoodledooing at the top of his voice. So funny. I came home then. On my way I realised the chicken for our roast chicken dinner was all nice and safe. Still in the freezer 🤦♀️ It was too early for the shops so I would have to get another one later.
We were meeting Neil at Garth Hall for 9.30. Jordan and Emma came to my house at 9.05 and we all left in the truck. Emma has been offering to help for ages and today she was available this time when we needed help. The gate was unlocked so I knew he was there. No sign of him though. I got food for the wellfield crew. Jordan and Emma thought they could hear the quad. I fed them and went back to Cai. We didn’t know if Neil had the medications. I rang him. “Have you got everything we need?” “Yeah. Bring it all down with you.” Surely that was No, bring it with you. 🤦♀️ I put everything I thought we would need in a bucket and the 3 of us walked down.
We all had coats which we promptly took off and hung up. I got a bucket of food for Hennessey’s lot and we fed them and shut them in the pod. Jordan and Emma weighed Bramble and Hennessey. Unfortunately they have both lost weight. Not what I wanted. They are active and eating so we will have to monitor them. They were all given their vitamin A, D & E injections. We had to keep them shut in so we could see to the other girls. While we were doing those 4, Neil got the boys in. We did the little boys first. Then Al Paccino was also given another injection for parasites. I then cut toenails on the white boys, Olaf and Casper. The last job was to put minty titty cream on Al Paccino’s dry skin.
Jordan and I sloped off for a wee then. When we got back, Neil and Emma had injected the big boys. While we gave Leo his anti parasitic injection and did Atlas’s toenails, Neil went to get the girls. Rookie error on my part. I’ve discovered it was bloody stupid to put cream on before cutting all the toenails. I really struggled with Atlas. Jordan tried to take over but of course the handle was all greasy by then 😬 She managed it. As we looked up, Neil was already sending the girls in. We had to set up the pen area then so we moved the hurdles and put them up. We set up another smaller pen and brought the girls in. There isn’t a run for them like the sheep which would be easier.
Usually when we do mass alpaca work, I check them off on a list on my phone. That list has lost itself. Nothing to do with me. Obviously. 🙄 So I started a new list. Why is everyone so impressed that I know all the names? And can put a name to a face? I’m still confused between Bernadette and Clara though. There were a few incidents. Jordan got kicked. 3 times. Crouchie burrowed under one of the pedestrian barriers and caused a mass breakout which messed my list up. But we managed it. In good time too. It was only just passed 11. Neil left for his breakfast and the rest of us walked up. After a quick stop at Tesco for a fresh chicken, Jordan and Emma were free to go.
I’ve got some plans for tomorrow. But will they be my indoor plans or my outdoor plans?
Helen x
