Predators Beware! *** Book Your LAMB PROTECTORS Now ***
Predators Beware! BOOK YOUR 2013 LAMB PROTECTION NOW
On 27th March 2012, we took nine Alpacas out to serve as Fox Guards on a nearby farm.
Six of our Team were there in 2011; and their host, who had been having a lot of bother with both foxes and badgers, was much impressed by the fact that following the arrival of the Alpacas all the trouble immediately ceased. Not surprisingly, this year he was very keen to have his whole lambing area covered.
Update (8th April 2012):
We were talking to our farmer friend today; and were delighted to hear that, once again, the Alpacas taken to his farm in March are doing an excellent job, with NO LAMB LOSSES, from predation, to date. Well Done them! It's only a pity that not all farmers are as progressive as our friend in their thinking, or there might be some very hungry foxes around!
And So To The 2013 Lambing Season:
All the Alpacas who this year went out to local farms on Fox Duty have now returned home, after, we are assured by their various hosts, a Job Well Done.
Even a moderate mathematician can see that, if two lost lambs cost a farmer, potentially, £100, a small investment in a couple (or even a small handful!) of these exceptionally diligent and extremely effective Alpaca sentries cannot but pay dividends. If ("Dream On, Dad"!) our Banking Chiefs could serve us half as well, we should probably not begrudge them their bonusses!
So WhyNot think now about 2014? You'll probably be too busy (and both forget and regret it nearer the time) Don't wait until Mr Fox has started on your lambs. Contact us as soon as possible, to ask any questions you may have; or to discuss your needs for 2013. We'll be only too pleased to advise or help in any way we can. (Tel:015396 21246, after dark, please)
As a Point of Interest for Farmers having a Caravan Site or Holiday Cottages: One of the farming families who have this year taken advantage of the presence of Alpacas in their Lambing Fields were keen for them not to come home as early as had originally been anticipated, since their Caravan visitors were so taken by the Alpacas early in the season that they had particularly asked whether they would still be around for the next Bank Holiday.
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Note: The unfortunate Hen in the picture below was seized from her perch one night some months ago, by what must have been a badger (a fox would have killed her straight away). She was carried off by her captor, who incautiously took a route through the yard, in which there were a number of alpacas. On encountering the alpacas, the villain immediately dropped his prize, who, although having sustained loss of many feathers and a substantial amount of flesh from her back, was just able to scramble into a nearby hedge, where she was found next morning.
First Aid, in the form of the ubiquitous 'purple spray', was applied, but without much hope of success.
Amazingly, as the photograph (including the remnants of the spray) shows, she was soon back with the flock and laying well. The badger, however, not surprisingly, has not called again.
Update(6 months later):
Happily, our heroine's progress continues. The last remnants of the purple spray have just about worn off, leaving the lady right back in the pink! She is laying like mad again, which must surely leave the Alpacas top of the league, whilst the Predators can consider themselves well and truly relegated!
So, if you know any farmer who has had predator trouble in the past, with either Foxes or Badgers amongst his lambing ewes, do encourage him to get in touch with us as soon as ever he can, to discuss either buying or hiring some Alpacas for guards for his valuable flock.
Tuesday 11th of June 2013
