Sheltering from a Spring shower reminds me of alpaca births here on the farm.Feeding at both ends of the day, mending fences and watching the swallows. A good day. Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!Thanks for listening and I hope you enj

Be even more alpaca

15 days ago 18m 44s

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!I have talked about being more alpaca before (episode 97 back in November 2020) I wanted to revisit it and found four areas that struck me as important as the moment. I hope they might inspire you to be

Hats and alpacas revisited as spring arrives

21 days ago 17m 59s

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!In this episode, I share a lovely story about hats and her alpacas from a listener in France. Thanks for sharing with me and then letting me share it with everyone else.Spring continues to arrive - delig

Do your alpacas notice when you wear a hat?

29 days ago 17m 15s

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!I have many hats and I wear most of them. The alpacas sometimes seem to take exception.Of course, the metaphorical hats we wear connect to roles and responsibilities. Listen in as I talk hats and alpacas

272 Learning through alpaca shows - even if you do your own

Mar 20th, 2024 11m 8s

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!Alpaca shows can be a great place to learn what to notice, how to describe and what to give priority to. Lots to be seen and heard. Animals to be seen and lovely alpaca people to be met. Often they are a

271 Ways to thrive with your alpacas

Mar 13th, 2024 13m 53s

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!In this episode, I offer you three things you can do to help you thrive. The good news is they will also help your alpacas.Find somewhere to sit.Be clear about what you want.Stay connected.Thanks for lis

270 Chirps, Honks, and Alpacas: A Winter Day on the Farm

Mar 6th, 2024 14m 40s

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!Geese joined the alpacas in their field just before feeding time, which got a little complicated. A cold but dry frosty morning made for a lovely time standing with my female alpacas while they had break

269 Ten things that make alpacas different to other animals

Feb 28th, 2024 21m 54s

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!You may have heard it said that alpacas are basically the same as sheep but with long legs and necks. I know why people say that but I think they are wrong. Listen in as I share some of the unique charac

268 How to grow your herd of alpacas

Feb 21st, 2024 17m 16s

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!There can be a strong driver towards growing your alpaca herd. But there is a comfortable limit which is determined by considering the amount of land you have, the amount of time you have and the amount

267 It is always hard when you lose an old friend

Feb 14th, 2024 16m 8s

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!Sadly, this week, we lost our herd matriarch, Millie. She has been mentioned on the podcast many times and has been with us for 15 years. Seeing her twice a day for that length of time is a lot of alpaca

266 Assumptions we make about alpacas may not be the full story

Feb 7th, 2024 14m 36s

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!In this episode, I want to consider people's assumptions about alpacas. There may be some truth, but it is not the full story. It is also not a definitive list. Let me know if you think there are other a

265 A small breeder's view of the Australian alpaca industry

Jan 31st, 2024 23m 59s

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!In this episode, Steve continues his conversation with Rita Soares of Campo Verde Alpacas in Australia. They talk about their experience as small breeders in Australia and the UK with its contrasts and s

264 Summer and Winter at the same time

Jan 24th, 2024 28m 33s

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!In this episode, I had the pleasure and delight of catching up with my friend Rita Soares from Campo Verde Alpacas in Australia. We compared seasons and considered the magic of cria watch and new birth.

263 Using your head and your heart

Jan 17th, 2024 18m 27s

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!Good decisions are made when we balance head and heart. Not in equal measure but by taking both into account. Most of us favour one or the other, so reflect on how you tend to do this, before making big

262 Sitting in the cold with your alpacas

Jan 10th, 2024 25m 48s

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!Join me in the valley for a sit in the cold and some breakfast with the girls. It might not be the best time of year in the UK for sitting outside. If you get some surprise winter sun do take advantage o

261 Thinking of planning your alpaca year

Jan 3rd, 2024 17m 43s

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!In this episode, we start the year with intention. With a plan of when we will do the alpaca things that need to be done this coming year.What needs to be done and when? What will you do on March 17th? O

260 Sounds of the season

Dec 27th, 2023 9m 57s

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!Seasons have different sounds - here are some from the valley and house on Christmas day. Happy Holidays.Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed it.If you would like to be in touch, please contact me

259 Seasons greetings and hopes for the new year

Dec 20th, 2023 12m 56s

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!In this episode, I reflect on fears and hopes and share my best wishes for the season. The alpacas like to be around when I am up to something but I ended up surprising them with some overflowing water.T

258 Your alpaca questions will change over time

Dec 13th, 2023 17m 53s

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!In this episode of The Alpaca Tribe, host Steve Heatherington reflects on the past year and discusses the growth and confidence he has gained over time in caring for alpacas. He shares anecdotes about hi

257 How to avoid stress with alpacas

Dec 6th, 2023 26m 22s

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!In this episode, Steve provides a weather forecast, talks about visitors, including a swan and an unidentified goose, and shares observations and reflections about how being around alpacas can help reduc

256 Reflections down on the farm

Nov 29th, 2023 14m 32s

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!Observations from the Alpaca Farm: Morning Rituals and Seasonal ChangesIn this episode of the Alpaca Tribe podcast, host Steve Hetherington talks through his routines and experiences on an early, frosty

255 What do your alpacas think of at Thanksgiving?

Nov 22nd, 2023 15m 42s

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!There are many things we can be thankful for. For me, alpacas are definitely high on the list.Happy Thanksgiving to all of you who celebrate it. May we know more love, peace, and joy in the coming days a

254 How to know if you are an alpaca fanatic

Nov 15th, 2023 18m 4s

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!In this episode, I give some pointers on knowing if you are an alpaca fanatic and some gift ideas for yourself and your loved ones as we approach the holiday season.There is also an update on the valley

253 The questions spread beyond alpacas

Nov 8th, 2023 18m 9s

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!In this episode, we have an update from the valley and see how the questions from last time apply beyond alpacas.What do I see?What does it mean?What do I do about it?Thanks for listening and I hope you

252 What are the best alpaca questions to ask?

Nov 1st, 2023 18m 32s

Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people! In this episode, I will be discussing some of my favourite questions to consider when spending time with these amazing creatures. The first question to ask yourself is "What is it that I am seeing?" Thi