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Rocky Bay Alpacas Tutukaka, New Zealand |
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Rocky Bay Alpacas Tutukaka, New Zealand |
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Wethers Wethers,
gelding, neutered males …are all
one in the same. These
lads have had the misfortune to be judged by us to be unsuitable
to our breeding programme. Many
of them have, or will soon be, castrated thereby terminating their
reproductive capacity before it ever gets started. Their
"misfortune" is however, probably more the human
interpretation of an event deemed to be "undesirable" from our
own perspective. What does the alpaca think? We'd suggest that he actually feels relieved.
Relieved from
a lifelong struggle for dominance within the herd - the never ending
need to establish or defend one's position at the top of the pecking
order, or, for the less aggressive, the constant vigilance of just
keeping out of the way as the others remind the herd of their
superiority. |
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| In exchange for the lost potential of an active sex life, the wethers move from their mother's care to a group of inquisitive, friendly, easy going fellow wethers. At RBA, this transition is softened by our ability (because of large numbers) to move "mates" from mother's care to the "big boy" group. It is a bit frightening for the first day or two, however, the newcomers to the group form an incredibly tight bond amongst themselves, - at least for the first 48 hours. After about 48 hours, they're best mates with the new mob. |
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One of the
wether mobs |
So - what's the consolation prize for my lost sex life? a new wether once asked me. I explained - Start with expanded freedom. Your mum and the other ladies stay in the southeast paddock until the finish their feed. Then they move to the southwest paddock, then the north, then the west and so it goes - one paddock at a time. Jack, (the wether I was talking to at the time), I said, you on the other hand will find numerous paddock gates open - all the time. Those open gates lead to an extensive race network covering the RBA farm. Take a morning stroll. Visit a few seldom-visited paddocks, and then call in for an early breakfast at the barn - that's that big timber box we people sleep in. Being right at our doorstep each morning, inevitably results in the honour of being fed first and of course the first cuddle of the day from Kathy. | |
| Sure,
there is a training pen right there and yes we do ask you to put that
funny thing on your face - but hey, do you see the others complaining?
They know very well the training pen is chocker block full of
treats and an over abundance of kudos from mum Kathy…. She gets so
excited, at the mere sight of you with a halter on.
Walk through the maze of pens behind her (nothing difficult Jack
- she leads the way - all you have to do is follow) and you'll get more
treats and cuddles in short order. |
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And
mate, graduation day, you see that big blue ocean out there - well Jack,
we walk all the way to the beach - while all of those silly sex crazed
"entire males" (big deal!) gaze in awe at how
"lucky" you are to have been castrated! Oh, the stories you can tell after returning from the beach
on graduation day! And
then what? Yes I know you have magnificent fibre and mum Kathy makes
really nice stuff with it and yes, you could stay with us to train next
year's young ones. However,
while you've been hang'en out at the barn - other two-legged ones have
been watching you. It's
that perpetual smile of yours and that all too often cuddle you offer to
the two leggers that has resulted in yet another adventure in store for
you. Climb
aboard our float, say farewell to "those of continuing
testicles". Those fellows on the hill, always on the hill, always
having their heated debated - dreaming of the day when the boss will
call them in for the once a year moment of glory.
You Jack, will be off to a new home. |
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Yes
it is a big step forward. You'll
be leaving your mates - possibly for a long time.
There won't be the RBA race and fun paddocks anymore - no more
training time with mum Kathy nor the sunset snacks and chats we've grown
accustomed to. However, I think you will approve of the next adventure. You see Jack, your new family has not been able to bear any alpacas themselves. Try as they might, the goldfish and cat have just not hit it off and there's no longer any hope for a cria to be born at the Jone's. You and your best mate Bob, are about to be adopted by the Jones. As you know, Kathy has been secretly sussing them out to make sure they will truly love you and they've passed the test with flying colours. They have a small block - but mate is it a hoot! It's so different than here - you'll just love investigating. They promised not to overdo the affection, but we know the type - they'll be talking your ear off and laying on the tucker. |
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Yes Jack, you are right - there are a lot of two-legged ones hanging out at the barn these days. Of course, we won't let just any of them take your mates away. Take for example Star - Star, the wise old man, will go nowhere without his mate Fred. They're equally ugly, and their fibre is best thrown out each year. No, we'll make sure they stay clear of those "yuppies" in the flash car ….. we'll find them a home together where someone will adore their ugliness. (Postscript; Fred and Star are now happily settled into their new home with loving parents - who do absolutely adore them both) |
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Moby DOB 19/07/03 |
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Hello again, thanks for reading this far. Yes - we do have more photos ……. Just email or call and we will send you a complete listing. If however, you're going to be approved as a potential new family for our boys - you best come see them! We look forward to introducing you to some very special alpacas. |
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Neutered
Male Packages include: A
free night is our farm stay accommodation to train the new parents. |
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