Chakana Blue Suri Alpaca Stud

25/07/2025

Sneak peak of the littlies fleeces🕵️‍♂️
Not yet weaned from their mothers precious
care.
Can’t wait to see this sort of nourishment develop⏳🙌

24/07/2025

Lifespan & ageing in our pets.

Bigger isn’t always better however it might be when it comes to lifespan!
From the tiny mayfly that lives just 24 hours to enormous whales that survive for hundreds of years to the immortal jellyfish that can live, well, forever, the life expectancy of animals differs dramatically.

Most of this collated material is from the interweb & I am aware can be challenged.
It is however an interesting overview🤔
Common sense tells us;
Breed type/Genetics, quality of care & environmental circumstance can influence all animals time here on earth.

Sheep🐑🐏
In most smallholding situations, a sheep will live naturally to around 9 to 12 years, but some live longer, recorded 23 & 28.
The condition of a sheep's teeth is a major determinant of its longevity if it is otherwise healthy.
The Merino is a breed well known for its longevity.

Lion 🦁
In the wild, lions usually live no more than 8 to 10 years because of attacks by humans or other lions, or the effects of goring or kicks from intended prey. In captivity, they may live over 25 years.

Horse 🐴
The average lifespan of a horse is typically between 25 to 30 years.
However, some horses can live beyond 40 years.
The oldest recorded horse, Old Billy, lived to 62.

Chicken🐔
The Lifespan of a chicken typically ranges from 3 to 10 years,
On average most chickens live between 5 to 10 years.
Small breeds tend to have a longer lifespan compared to larger breeds.
Some exceptional birds like “Matilda the chicken” have lived up to 16 years.

Alpaca🦙
The average lifespan of an alpaca is about 15 to 20 years but some may live up to 25 years in captivity. Alpacas age slowly & can remain active/alert well into their senior years.
The oldest known alpaca I am aware of is 26 years.
I did read of one at 28 years!

Dog 🐕 🐾
Most domesticated dogs live to between 12 & 13 years.
Toy & non sporting breeds fair well as older dogs. Dachshunds are well known to live easily to 15.
Medium size dogs up to 25 kg
Dog age Human age
10 = 60
11 = 65
12 = 69
13 = 74

Taking care of older animals can be challenging simply because they usually can’t tell us
“well I have an aching leg” or “my teeth really aren’t working anymore”😬

Since we have cared for them throughout their life, responsible ownership means we do notice most things regarding their well being.
It’s the little things we miss that are usually to their detriment.
Take a moment to understand the needs of your aging pet.💖
Just like us, little luxuries can mean a lot😉

18/07/2025

Get along to Bendigo Sheepshow

28/06/2025

Korumburra Show.
Victorian Eastern region
28th June 2025

First time venue at Korumburra, replacing the VER Lardner Show.
Great facility!
Great getting together with alpaca peers at the Middle hotel the night prior. Overnight bump in arrangements were appreciated😃

56 alpaca entries total.
Thank you to Convenors Emmaly Gridley &
Co-Convenors Georgia & Jacqueline Bishop.

Make sure to check out the many valued sponsors 😃

The professional & well considered judging from AAA Judge Taryan Mathew’s helped create a positive & encouraging event for all involved.

Chakana Blue results:

💙Othello
White Adult male
1st, Champion. SUPREME SURI
& BEST WHITE

💙Interceptor
White Junior male
1st & Reserve Champion
His first show out, he was calm, inquisitive & stood with presence🥰

💙Te Amo
Intermediate White Female.
1st & Champion
Our little showstopper! She has sooo much fleece😍

💙The Mimic
Intermediate White Male
1st & Champion

💙Polarity
Intermediate Black Male
1st & Reserve Champion
& BEST BLACK

💙Tempest
Adult White Female
1st & Champion

Chakana Gold results;

💛Loki
Adult White Male
1st & Champion

Thank you to Marty Bissels & Jodi Ramadge for your help handling animals for us☺️

Congratulations to the Supreme Huacaya
-Empyrean Hellfire from the White Senior Male class.

💙

24/06/2025

Great post from Rita at Campo Verde.

You might be warm and cozy in front of the fire, but spare a thought for your alpacas outside.

Temperatures are expected to drop to negative digits tomorrow, with wind, rain, hail and potential snow predicted for parts of Victoria. Make sure your alpacas or llamas are well looked after:

❄️ Feed good quality hay, such as lucerne, clover, vetch or oaten
❄️ Keep hay dry by placing it inside their shelter or under the canopy of trees
❄️ Always feed more than the number of alpacas you have, and allow plenty of head space, so the lowest in the pecking order get their feed. I often place several hay "stations" around and observe them eating.
❄️ Provide access to shelters and protection from winds. Alpacas will graze in light rain, but having access to a dry shelter with plenty of light and a regular supply of hay will encourage them to use it. You can cover the floor with dry straw or tree mulch. Don’t worry if your alpacas end up pooping in their shelter. ☺️ Scoop up the manure or cover it with more straw until you can clean it.
❄️ If you don’t have a shelter, you can place thick tarps, rugs or blankets over a fence, tightly secured, against the prevailing winds. Another idea is to build an L-shaped corner with hay bales.
❄️Check your alpacas, ideally several times a day. Severe signs to monitor are shivering, lack of energy (e.g. being recumbent for too long), or not following the herd.
❄️ Check the body condition score and do a poo test to monitor for worms. Continuous wet weather can be a harbour for worm development. Never drench your animals unless poo tests show worm burdens. Always consult your veterinarian when selecting drenches.
❄️ Pay particular attention to young, elderly and pregnant alpacas.
❄️ Don’t forget to give your alpacas their vitamin D every 2 months from autumn to early spring. In Australia, we use the brand Hideject.

I love wintery days, but I love them much more when I know my alpacas and llamas are well cared for.

21/06/2025

2025 Chakana Blue FLEECE😍

21/06/2025

Get your entries in…..

Entries EXTENDED to end of this Sunday, 22 June.

Korumburra Alpaca Show is on Saturday 28 June at the Showgrounds in Korumburra. Animals can be dropped the night before (Contact Emmaly).

We still need a few more entries to make this Show great!

We hope to see you there!

21/06/2025

Tagged & tested, now out for a road test.
Hey Romeo & Te Amo helping some of this years youngsters learn how to behave on a halter.

21/06/2025

24th May 2025
VER Denim & Diamonds Fleece Show

Chakana Blue Suri results;
*SUPREME
& Best White Adult - CB Tiphany
*2nd Adult White - CB Ortega
*1st Senior White - CB Vortex
*Best Senior Light -CB Mastermind
*Best Junior Fancy - CB Marksman

Chakana Gold Huacaya results;

*Best White Intermediate - CB Loki
(Missed by 1 point for Supreme)
*3rd Adult White - CB Toruk
*1st Senior Med D/Fawn - CG Tallulah
(amazing Score for her age)
*1st Senior Brown- CG Scaramouche

14/06/2025

Saturday morning sleep in on the windowsill.
Frost is still cold on the ground at 10.30am

13/06/2025

Beautiful crisp winters morning in the Yarra Valley.
Got to meet Uncle Monopoly & Moon did a practice run with empty packs.
Enjoyed the walk & yummy brunch at the carriage cafe.
Thanks Gayle, Jamie Lee & Pauline.

28/05/2025

Victorian Eastern Region
ALPACA OF THE YEAR! X2
Just Wow…….

Chakana Blue Tempest - White Suri
Chakana Gold Loki- White Huacaya

So proud to have bred alpacas of this calibre.