Shearing Day at YaYa’s Alpaca Farm

A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Our Annual Alpaca Shearing

There is one day each year on an alpaca farm that feels a little like a holiday, a little like a marathon, and a little like a big family gathering.

We call it Shearing Day.

For alpaca owners, shearing is far more than removing fleece. It is one of the most important herd management days of the entire year. In a single day we shear the fiber, trim toenails, check teeth, administer vaccines, perform physical exams, and collect samples for parasite monitoring.

But before the first alpaca ever walks onto the shearing mat, several days of preparation happen behind the scenes.

Preparing for Shearing Day

Preparation begins with organization.

Each year we update our annual alpaca tracking list so we can record the care every animal receives during shearing—fleece removal, teeth checks, toenail trimming, vaccinations, and physical exams. Once the herd list is updated, we contact the other alpaca owners who bring animals to our shearing day so we can confirm how many alpacas will be arriving.

With the final number set, the medical preparation begins.

About ninety vaccinations are drawn up ahead of time so the day can move smoothly. Health check forms are printed for each alpaca so we can record their physical exam while they are on the shearing mat. We also prepare for fecal testing—often called poop checks—to monitor parasite levels within the herd.

Next comes the fiber preparation.

Each alpaca produces several pounds of fleece every year, so organization is essential. Nearly 300 clear plastic bags are opened and staged so each fleece can be quickly sorted into its proper grade as it comes off the animal. Tables are arranged throughout the barn so fiber handlers have room to skirt and separate the fleece.

Transforming the Barn

The physical setup of the barn takes the most time.

In the main barn, rails are temporarily removed to create wide working lanes where alpacas can move calmly through the shearing process.

In what we call the Christmas Barn, clips are laid across the floor to secure the shearing mats. These mats keep the animals stable and help the shearer work safely and efficiently.

Extension cords are run for the clippers, fiber sorting tables are set up, and equipment is staged throughout the barn.

By the time everything is ready, the barn hardly looks like itself.

The transformation alone takes about two full days of preparation, but when shearing morning arrives, everything is in place.

The Rhythm of Shearing Day

When the day finally arrives, the barn fills with activity.

Alpacas are naturally curious animals, and they quickly notice that something unusual is happening. The mats are down, people are moving through the barn, and the hum of clippers fills the air.

Despite all the activity, alpacas tend to stay surprisingly calm.

To keep the process moving smoothly, the alpacas are kept in a nearby enclosed holding area so they can be brought into the shearing barn easily and calmly as their turn comes.

Inside the barn, we operate with two shearing mats. While one alpaca is being finished, the next alpaca is already being positioned on the second mat. This allows the shearers to transition quickly and keep the day moving efficiently.

On average, it takes about 10 minutes to shear one alpaca. In that short amount of time an entire year’s fleece is removed.

When the blanket fiber lifts away in one large piece, it is always a little surprising to see how much smaller the alpaca suddenly looks.

Health Checks Along the Way

Because each alpaca is already being handled during shearing, it becomes the perfect time to complete several important health checks.

Toenails are trimmed to keep the alpaca’s feet properly aligned and comfortable. Teeth are examined to ensure the lower incisors meet the dental pad correctly for grazing. Vaccinations are administered, and each animal receives a quick physical exam to evaluate body condition, skin health, and overall wellness.

By the time an alpaca stands up from the mat, it has essentially received its annual wellness check.

The Fiber Harvest

As the day continues, piles of fleece begin to grow.

A single alpaca can produce five to ten pounds of fiber each year, and across an entire herd that adds up quickly. Each fleece is carefully sorted into its proper grade:

• Prime blanket fiber – the softest fiber from the back and sides

• Seconds – fiber from the neck and mid-body

• Thirds – leg and belly fiber used for rugs, felting, and durable textiles

By the end of the day, bags of beautiful alpaca fiber are stacked and ready to be processed into yarn, rugs, and other fiber products.

The Work Behind the Scenes

While much of the activity happens in the barn, another important part of shearing day takes place in the kitchen.

During the preparation days and throughout shearing day itself, Mrs. YaYa keeps the entire crew fed. She prepares three full meals for the shearers and volunteers, making sure everyone has the energy to keep going through the long day.

Her morning often starts around 3:00 a.m., long before the first alpaca steps onto the shearing mat. From there the kitchen stays busy all day long.

How late the evening runs depends on the shearers’ travel schedule. Sometimes they arrive in the late afternoon, and other times it may be evening before they pull into the driveway.

One of the things we enjoy most about shearing time is hosting the shearers. After working on farms throughout the region, they stay the night with us, get a hot shower, and rest before heading off to their next farm the following morning.

It has become part of the tradition of shearing season—good meals, tired hands, and stories shared around the table.

And of course, no shearing day would be complete without YaYa himself.

Around the farm we affectionately call him the “Master of Disaster.” In reality, he is the hands-on man who keeps everything running when the day gets busy. YaYa works directly with the alpacas throughout the shearing process, helping move animals through the barn, keeping the mats clean between shearings, and making sure everything stays safe and organized.

And if something breaks—which always seems to happen on a busy farm day—YaYa is the one who gets the joy of fixing it. Whether it’s equipment, gates, cords, or something unexpected, he’s usually the first one there with tools in hand making sure the day keeps moving forward.

On a day as busy as shearing day, having someone who can solve problems quickly is invaluable, and YaYa somehow manages to do it all with a smile and a good sense of humor.

Returning the Barn to Normal

Now that the barn is empty, the real cleanup work begins, and it usually takes a couple of days before everything is back in its place.

While the alpacas relax in the pasture—freshly shorn and enjoying the breeze—the work inside the barn continues.

Nearly 300 bags of fiber must now be sorted and carefully moved into our fiber room for storage and later processing.

Then comes the deep cleaning of the barn itself. Floors are swept, areas are scrubbed, mats are rolled up, tables are folded, and equipment is packed away.

Medical supplies must also be handled carefully. Used syringes are collected and disposed of according to safety guidelines to ensure everything is handled responsibly.

And once the physical work is finished, another task begins—the paperwork.

Every alpaca’s health check form must be entered into our computer system. Vaccination records, physical exam notes, and health observations are logged so we maintain a complete record for each animal.

That part alone can take several more days to finish.

A Day That Becomes a Season

By the time everything is finally complete, the barn looks just like it did before shearing began. The alpacas are comfortable in their lighter coats, the fiber harvest is safely stored, and the farm settles back into its normal rhythm.

Shearing day may only appear as one date on the calendar, but on an alpaca farm it truly stretches across many days—preparing the barns, caring for the animals, sharing meals with friends, and finishing the quiet work afterward.

And when it is all done, there is a deep satisfaction in knowing the herd is healthy, the fiber is harvested, and another year on the farm has begun.

Because on an alpaca farm, every fleece carries the story of the year that grew it.

With Grateful Hearts

We want to extend a special thank you to everyone involved in making shearing day possible.

To Shear Relief — Brian, Mike, and the entire team, thank you for the skill, patience, and professionalism you bring each year. Your work keeps our alpacas comfortable and our fiber harvest moving forward.

To our sisters who step in wherever help is needed:
Patsy — the paperwork master, keeping records organized and making sure every detail is documented.
Kim — the alpaca whisperer, whose calm presence helps the animals move smoothly through the day.
Leta and Charlie, who always bring peace, encouragement, and faith into everything they do.

Without this group, things simply would not run as smoothly as they do.

Shearing day is truly a team effort, and we are deeply grateful for the people who show up each year ready to help.

And if you ever find yourself curious about what shearing day is really like, we welcome volunteers. Just reach out to us.

Be warned though—it’s noisy, dirty, and exhausting work, but by the end of the day you’ll leave with a whole new appreciation for farming.

If interested in volunteering, reach out to us at [email protected] 

Blessings to all!

YaYa, Kathy (aka Mrs. YaYa), and the Alpaca's