Shearing Alpacas

The harvesting of this gorgeous fiber from our alpacas is a very special event for us. We shear our alpacas once a year. They produce between 4 – 10 lbs of fiber depending on size of alpaca, age, length of staple and density of fiber. We use every bit of the yearly clip right here in our Fiber Studio.

Shearing is not what I would call fun, for us or them. It is exciting to get your hands on all the fluffy stuff, but it can be stressful. The shears are big, sharp, loud and get hot. We take our time and try to do it with as little stress as possible for the alpacas. You HAVE to shear alpacas. They would die of heat stress if you did not shear them.

Trimming the “Top Knot”
Shearing the neck is tricky because it is so long and skinny.
Even the cria are shorn
It is backbreaking work, as you are always leaning over the alpaca and constantly getting up and down.
First the Prime fleece or saddle shape comes off and is bagged so the shorter less desirable fibers aren’t mixed in.
The head holder is as important as the shearer.
Naked and not afraid.