Loafing Sheds and Corrals are Complete

Finally, we are ready to receive the alpacas.  All that remains is paint, which may not happen prior to the alpacas arrival next week.

Corrals and Sheds for the Big Boys and Little Boys.

Corral and Loafing Shed for the Moms and Crias.

Loafing Sheds - Almost Done

Mom and Cria Shed

We broke ground for our initial corrals and loafing sheds in early November.  Progress is reported here and here.

The sides and roof are installed, which means only the shingles and paint remain.

Front View

Big and Little Boy Sheds

Once the shingles are complete, we will install the fencing.

View from House

It's 12 degrees F, snowing with about 4 inches on the ground as I write this.  Fortunately the weather forecast is great for next weekend and alpacas aren't coming until early January.

Alpaca Loafing Sheds - 50% complete

Today, the alpaca loafing sheds are just over half way done. 

Our most recent snow has not melted very quickly which is making the pasture and corral area extremely muddy.  Our carpenter's truck got stuck in the mud, so we will have to re-seed some in the spring.

Boys' sheds framed out.

Our carpenter used hurricane ties as part of the contstruction. 

I think is a good idea since we can have 90 mile per hour gusts here sometimes.

Mom and cria shed with the roof installed.

All three sheds have the roof and tar paper installed and the shingles and sides should be complete in a couple of weeks.

Loafing Sheds - In Progress

Last week we finally started work on our loafing sheds and corrals.  This week, the sheds are nearly framed out.

For the moms and crias.

Two seperate corrals and sheds for the big boys and little boys.

Since one of our herd sires can be aggressive when there are open females around, we decided to seperate the boys and girls with the hay barn.

The girl's corral is also closest to the house so we can keep an eye on any near term mothers when the time is right.  Though, our next cria aren't due in September 2010.

Broken Ground

We have (finally) started work on our alpaca loafing sheds and corrals.

Before we started.

   

Our neighbor has a bobcat with an auger.

22 holes in one hour.

Setting the posts.

Installing gates.

Two gates and all posts set by afternoon.

The framing of the loafing sheds will begin this week.