So cute! Suffolk alpaca herd welcomes a trio of new arrivals

Sally Berry with Imogen, one of the new arrivals in her Berryfield alpaca herd at Middleton. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant)

David and Sally Berry of Middleton, near Saxmundham, are delighted with the newest additions to their Berryfield herd,

Berryfield Iceni, one of the new alpaca arrivals Picture: DAVID BERRY/BERRYFIELD ALPACAS (Image: DAVID BERRY/BERRYFIELD ALPACAS)

So far two female and one male baby alpacas, or crias, have been born.

Berryfield Iona with mum Fantasy Picture: DAVID BERRY/BERRYFIELD ALPACAS (Image: BERRYFIELDALPACAS)

First arrival was Imogen, whose mum is Connie, followed by male cria Iceni, son of Buttercup, and then Fantasy gave birth to Iona. All the crias have the herd name, “Berryfield”, at the start of their names.

Sally Berry with Imogen, one of the new arrivals in her Berryfield alpaca herd at Middleton. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant)

“They are all fine,” Mrs Berry said. “We needed some assistance with the birth of the latest one, Iona, but she is doing fine.

Sally Berry with Imogen, one of the new arrivals in her Berryfield alpaca herd at Middleton. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant)

“There are another three to come. We have decided to give them all names beginning with ‘I’ this year.”

Sally Berry with Imogen, one of the new arrivals in her Berryfield alpaca herd at Middleton. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant)

Mrs Berry added: “Each alpaca has its own personality. We started with four and now have 30, including the latest arrivals.”

Sally Berry with Imogen, one of the new arrivals in her Berryfield alpaca herd at Middleton. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant)

Alpacas are usually born during the daytime, and must have their first feed within four hours to ensure they get the right immunity.

Sally Berry with Imogen, one of the new arrivals in her Berryfield alpaca herd at Middleton. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant)

MORE: Boy walks for six hours to support zooThe Berryfield herd is not open to the public, but Mrs Berry normally takes a few alpacas to fetes and village shows each year.

Sally Berry with Imogen, one of the new arrivals in her Berryfield alpaca herd at Middleton. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant)

However, that has not been possible this year because of the coronavirus lockdown.

Sally Berry with Imogen, one of the new arrivals in her Berryfield alpaca herd at Middleton. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant)

“We usually have a little stall so that people can see the sort of things that can be made from alpaca fleece, like scarves and hats,” she said.

Alpacas have become increasingly popular over recent years. Mrs Berry said: “The main reason people keep them is for the wool.

“Their fleece is finer, warmer and harder wearing than sheep’s wool. A lot of people who can’t wear sheep’s wool can wear alpaca and they come in a lovely range of colours.”

She added that alpacas can also be used to guard chickens and lambs, and have a loud warning call, but she said: “You have got to get the right alpaca to use as a guard.”

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