Gentle Bantams New at Morvern Valley

Young toddlers and pre-school children seem to prefer smaller farm animals – so Jason set to work and built a great new huge enclosure this autumn. It is really big – so there is lots of space, we have Pure Bred Bantam Pekins from Japan, White Frizzles and even Arancuana’s an ancient breed originally from Chile who lay BLUE eggs!!!!

We also have Welsummer’s from the Netherlands, and the distinctively coloured Giant Salmon Faverolle’s from France – with their tufted feet, crests and beards.

All from Champion Bloodlines – they were brought up by Julie from just a day old, and fed by hand so they love the interaction with humans. They will eat out of your hands!!!

Shearing at Morvern Valley

Every January at Morvern a rather unusual task takes place. Bernie our alpaca shearer visits, and cuts the fleece from our alpacas.

Why is this unusual you may ask? Well it is the way you need to go about it.

Each alpaca needs to be tied down each leg out wide to control the alpaca who tend to panic.

This is needed as an alpaca would struggle and perhaps get hurt. This is unlike sheep who relax and allow themselves quite easily to be shorn simply in between an experienced shearer’s legs.

Bernie is a ‘real card’ and happily shows our guests his expertise.

He always gives each alpaca a different haircut of the fleece left upon their heads – some with a fringe or even a mohawk!

Belize and Ike join in at Morvern Farm

In a great start to the New Year,  Belize a beautiful quality pedigree Suri Alpaca with her little son Ike have came to live at Morvern valley .

Ike is not yet a year old and is so cute and small.

The whole group of Morvern alpacas have accepted them right way after sniffing them enthusiastically for at least 30 minutes – to the delight of all the guests at the property when they arrived.

Suri Alpacas have a different fleece which is known for its silky soft feel with far less crimp, Giorgio Armani uses Suri fleece for his men’s and ladies suits.

The other alpacas at Morvern Valley are Huacaya, an alpaca that grows soft spongy fiber, has natural crimp making a naturally elastic yarn well-suited for knitting.

Loads of Glow Worms – perfect Time of Year

Our Family just love bushwalking, and if you ask me which is the most fun it would be the enchanted twilight walk.

The Glow Worm Glen Walk is located on William Street, andit is just 2 minutes’ drive from Morvern. It is a one hour return trip graded as easy to medium with some steep steps. The walk is on a well-established track with some wet sections at the end. You need torches to be on this night walk, its best to have one each.

It is an adventure walk at no cost, and is a thrill for children and adults of all ages.

Suddenly, near the path – a cow will bellow, a possum will swing from tree to tree and wombats will scurry along your path.

When you are approaching the glen, you will hear water running and you feel humidity and freshness in the air.

When you get there you will be amazed and enchanted by what you see, but please remain quiet and try not to disturb these luminescent locals with noises and lights, they are very shy creatures.

A Warm ‘Woolie’ Welcome

Our old favourite ‘Barbie’ the Suffolk ewe had her lamb first this year, and it’s a lovely healthy girl, we are very pleased.

She has been named ‘Woolie’

Black faced sheep have black lambs and only have the white wool when their wool grows in – imagine our surprise the first year when there was a little black lamb in the paddock. She is very strong and drinks all the time, we have never seen such a hungry Lamb.

We have 2 more lambs due in the very near future, so the mums are at the stable down near the creek awaiting their own exciting day.