Alpaca Tribe

Steve Heatherington

The Alpaca Podcast for all things alpaca. Alpaca Tribe is for anyone who feels a connection with alpacas. It is for existing owners, everyone interested in keeping alpacas, people working with alpaca fleece or providing alpaca services, or those who are just alpaca mad.

  • 16 minutes 43 seconds
    A welcome from the alpacas

    This is the podcast for alpaca people!

    Welcome to all of you, wherever you are listening, but especially my listeners from Brazil. Thank you. I appreciate it.

    Alpacas are curious and usually offer us a welcome as we approach. Depending on what we do next, the welcome remains, or our attention becomes unwelcome. Even too much staring at them and paying too much attention can cause them to retreat or at least change their body language. It is good to observe them and get to know each one individually.

    At this time in the UK it is good to check body condition scores - see the video below for details

    https://youtu.be/xZSlhQaqGEk?si=TOJhjuEEqexcGDm3

    You might also want to check feet and eyes too.

    If you can, spend some time with your alpacas, someone else's alpacas, or come spend time with my alpacas and me. You are welcome.

    Thanks for listening, and I hope you enjoyed it.

    You can contact me by email - [email protected] - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

    Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Waterside Voices.



    This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

    OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
    10 December 2025, 3:49 pm
  • 17 minutes 47 seconds
    How alpacas can teach you to be flexible

    This is the podcast for alpaca people!

    In this episode, Steve recounts a chaotic food delivery for the alpacas, reflecting on resilience and how to handle frustration in animal care. He introduces us to Hermione, Alys, and Nona, sharing anecdotes that highlight their personalities and daily routines. The episode culminates in the timely arrival of the food, serving as a metaphor for navigating life's unpredictability. Join Steve for quick lessons on patience, connection, and the joys of caring for animals!

    (NB summary prepared by AI via Auphonic - I'm not sure what to make of it. Let me know your thoughts)

    Thanks for listening, and I hope you enjoyed it.

    You can contact me by email - [email protected] - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

    Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Waterside Voices.



    This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

    OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
    26 November 2025, 4:47 pm
  • 18 minutes 47 seconds
    Alpacas in the reservoir valley

    This is the podcast for alpaca people!

    The rain has been abundant. I guess that is what made the valley a good site for a Victorian reservoir.

    Now it is home to our herd of alpacas, ducks and visiting swans. And us of course. Where better to share our lives with all of the amazing animals and wildlife and the rain. Join me.

    Thanks for listening, and I hope you enjoyed it.

    You can contact me by email - [email protected] - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

    Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Waterside Voices.



    This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

    OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
    12 November 2025, 12:50 pm
  • 22 minutes 3 seconds
    A walk and talk in the valley

    This is the podcast for alpaca people!

    The tide of vegetation is receding as fall continues to arrive. The alpacas are enjoying the season and so am I. Join me for a walk and talk in the valley.

    Thanks for listening, and I hope you enjoyed it.

    You can contact me by email - [email protected] - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

    Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Waterside Voices.



    This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

    OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
    29 October 2025, 8:39 pm
  • 20 minutes 1 second
    Catching up with visitors to the valley

    This is the podcast for alpaca people!

    In this episode, the welcome early fall sunshine makes it easy to spend time out in the valley with the alpacas.

    Velvet mites, foxes and badgers, bats, plus some friends from Australia. The valley has been having visitors.

    Listen in and join me on the farm.


    Thanks for listening, and I hope you enjoyed it.

    You can contact me by email - [email protected] - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

    Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Waterside Voices.



    This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

    OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
    15 October 2025, 7:44 pm
  • 17 minutes 48 seconds
    Food water and mucking out - the daily alpaca chores

    This is the podcast for alpaca people!

    Join me for a typical day with the alpacas and the associated chores. It is a delight on a sunny autumn morning with so many Robins singing their hearts out.

    As well as a revisit by the Swan and some of our Canada Geese, there was a Kingfisher, which sat still long enough to grab a blurry snap. A delight. See the website for the photo.

    Thanks for listening, and I hope you enjoyed it.

    You can contact me by email - [email protected] - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

    Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Waterside Voices.



    This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

    OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
    1 October 2025, 8:48 pm
  • 16 minutes 29 seconds
    Have you worked out how alpacas sit down?

    This is the podcast for alpaca people!

    In this episode, I want to talk about how alpacas sit and why.

    Alpacas love to sit, which is called cushing. They gather their legs underneath them and look very comfortable. Often they will be chewing the cud while cushed. It is a bit like having a sit-down for a cup of tea – just alpaca style.

    Sometimes they do it to opt out – we all feel like that sometimes, I know. So next time you feel the need, try to spend some time with some alpacas and chill.

    Thanks for listening, and I hope you enjoyed it.

    You can contact me by email - [email protected] - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

    Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Waterside Voices.



    This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

    OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
    17 September 2025, 5:36 pm
  • 12 minutes 45 seconds
    Fall arriving in the valley with the alpacas

    This is the podcast for alpaca people!

    In this episode, the season change has come quickly here in the valley with the alpacas. Listen to catch up on what has been happening with the herd.

    Thanks for listening, and I hope you enjoyed it.

    You can contact me by email - [email protected] - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

    Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Waterside Voices.



    This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

    OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
    3 September 2025, 7:24 pm
  • 15 minutes 8 seconds
    What is a good number of alpacas to have?

    This is the podcast for alpaca people!

    In this episode, I'm considering what a good number of alpacas is. Probably the first answer is going to be... more! They are somewhat addictive and a delight, so why not have more?

    There are a number of factors to consider, but they mostly revolve around space - how much physical space for grazing and for shelter, and metaphorically about how much space, or capacity, you have in your life.

    Listen in to help think through what is crucial for you and your alpacas.

    Thanks for listening, and I hope you enjoyed it.

    You can contact me by email - [email protected] - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

    Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Waterside Voices.



    This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

    OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
    20 August 2025, 8:26 pm
  • 16 minutes 31 seconds
    A beautiful morning for breakfast with the alpacas

    Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!

    We had a named storm pass through, but today is calm, still and sunny. A perfect day for breakfast with the girls. Why don't you join me?

    Nona was enjoying the pile of hay she claimed - she does like her hay. Later, after I put all the food out and spread it about for the girls, they settled down, but before that, Nona and Hermione got into a spit-spat. Huffing over the final crumbs, or even an empty food trough, which resulted in them both having a dropped bottom lip. Really, girls, it's so unnecessary and sets such a bad example for the youngsters.

    I had my chlorophyll-moment sitting in the sun and enjoying the warmth while I topped up my vitamin D.

    Breakfast with the alpacas is such a good way to start your day - do try it if you can.

    Thanks for listening, and I hope you enjoyed it.

    You can contact me by email - [email protected] - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

    Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Waterside Voices.



    This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

    OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
    6 August 2025, 8:59 pm
  • 23 minutes 1 second
    What to ignore with your alpacas

    Welcome to the podcast for alpaca people!

    In this episode, I offer a tip for dealing with overwhelm, suggest ways to learn more about alpaca behaviour, and explain looking out for which one starts the drift. There is also an update on the herd and life in the valley.

    For valley news, you can also check out my Substack "View From The Valley".


    Thanks for listening, and I hope you enjoyed it.

    You can contact me by email - [email protected] - or leave me a voicemail from your browser.

    Alpaca Tribe is hosted and produced by Steve Heatherington of Waterside Voices.



    This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

    OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
    23 July 2025, 7:25 pm
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