Dutch Hollow Acres

It’s Christmas time! Love this time of year because finally get to give family and friends the items I’ve been working on. 

My latest work has been a pair of crochet mittens from our very own home grown alpaca.  I’m mostly following this pattern from Bernat for the mittens.  They call for a change in hook size but I opted to stick with the I-9 hook for the whole thing.  I ended up having to add some stitches because of it for a larger size.  I am very happy with the finished look.  The mittens are not bulky but thanks to the alpaca they are very warm. 

The yarn I had blended at the mill is 80% alpaca, 15% nylon, 5% merino.  This is a wonderful blend.  The alpaca is toasty warm and soft, the nylon adds strength and assists in felting prevention and the merino adds memory so the yarn isn’t flat and has loft to it.   If you’re interested in buying some for your Christmas projects by all means visit our Store!

Don’t forget to visit Alpaca Farm Girl for more Fiber Art Friday posts!

Most of us have seen the Mike Rowe Dirty Jobs video of alpaca ranching.  There’s shearing, poop clean up, spitting, breeding, birthing, teeth filing, injections, toenail clipping and general farm care.   To say the least investing in alpacas is a messy business …. Or is it?  CLICK HERE for full article

Make sure your feet stay warm this hunting season with alpaca socks!  Many great styles and colors to choose from.

They are on sale!

Some are buy 2 get the 3rd 50% off!

Others are buy 1 get the 2nd one $2 off!

Click Here for our Store

Welcome back to school! What a great time to adopt one of our alpacas and get to know them personally throughout the school year! Get to learn more about these fuzzy wide eyed creatures and what makes them such a special livestock here in the US.

What you get when adopting one of our alpacas.

• Certificate of adoption, photo and bio about your alpaca

• Monthly alpaca newsletter. Learn about alpacas and their history, what they are used for and most importantly what your adoptive alpaca has been up to.

• Health records. It’s very important for alpacas to stay healthy so they produce the best quality fiber. Each month in the news letter you will receive health information about your alpaca like weight, temperature, fiber growth, nail trimmings, teeth filings, and any boo boos or mishaps they might have had.

• Hold a fiber weight contest! Alpacas are sheared once a year in the spring. Can you guess how much fiber your alpaca will produce? You will receive a sample of your alpaca’s fiber from the shearing.

• Cria naming: A baby alpaca is called a cria. Some of our alpacas are pregnant and should one give birth during the school year your class will have the opportunity to submit names and vote on the name of the cria! (some naming guidelines apply).

Like with any livestock alpacas are a business and may potentially be sold at some point through the school year. If this should happen notification prior to the sale will be given and a different alpaca from our herd can be selected to take its place.

What does the $75 adoption fee go towards?

• Feed/Hay/Minerals
• Veterinary fees
• Fencing and other barn maintenance
• Shearing fees
• Fiber processing fees
• Shipping/handling

Want to learn more and see photos and bio of our alpaca up for adoption visit Dutch Hollow Acres

Calling All Hunters and Fishermen!

37^th Annual National Hunting and Fishing Days at the Avon DEC is on Sept 26^th and 27^th!  Did you also know that National Alpaca Farm Days is the same weekend?!   So what’s my point?  Dutch Hollow Acres will be at DEC Days with some of our alpacas and a ton of alpaca socks to keep hunters feet warm and dry this season.

Why Wear Alpaca?

-  3x warmer than most sheep wool
-  Wicks moisture away from your skin faster than wool
-  Finer than most sheep wool making it less itchy
-  Higher tensile strength making it stronger than wool
-  More abrasion resistant than Merino wool
-  Hypo-allergenic!  No oil, grease or smell
-  Does not retain water and is resistant to solar radiation
-  Natural luster makes it visually appealing
-  Naturally comes in 22 different colors
-  When dyed it does not lose its luster
-  Easily blends with other natural and synthetic fibers
-  All of our Alpaca Products are Made in the USA!

Alpacas are a great investment.  While you’re visiting our booth ask us about how alpacas can be a profitable business!

I was inspired by Alpaca Farm Girl’s Amigurumi Fiber Arts Friday and had to try it out for myself.  I have a short attention span so I ended up making small things for my cats and dogs to play with.  

Cat toys are stuffed with a bell, catnip and some alpaca as filler.
Dog toys are stuffed with alpaca of course and a squeaker.

CLICK HERE: for photos of all of our little friends

When I first got into alpacas I moved them around in my 2 horse bumper pull trailer.  After all I was a horse person first and it’s what I had.  However it became apparent that a different mode of transporting alpacas was needed with the crazy gas prices now days.  Hitching up a 2,000 pound trailer (which is not the most aerodynamic) to haul around a 120lb animal to be bred or to the vet is not economically friendly.

I did a lot of research and asked a lot of questions and answers ranged from mini vans to the Honda Element as possible alpaca haulers.  My thoughts went straight to, OMG I have to buy yet another vehicle? I don’t think so..................... CLICK HERE TO READ FULL ARTICLE

It was apparent that with pregnant females due soon and me having a full time job I would need camera’s in the barn so I could keep an eye on them while I was in the office.  That way if I see someone in labor I could quick pack up and drive home to assist if need be. 

The biggest problem with cameras is they are expensive!  A system can run you easily $1-4,000!  Yeah, ok this is a working farm and every dollar spent is a dollar of profit lost.  Keep in mind that the IRS frowns upon hobby farms...........Click Here for Full Post

My prego girl Bella protecting her kiddie pool even from me. If I got to close to it this morning she’d prance up and down the fence and make gastly noises at me. Thankfully she didn’t spit.

We don't always keep this blog up to date.  To see more about our farm, fiber projects, or FYI about alpacas visit http://www.AlpacaBytes.com

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