Welcome to Willowbrook Farm
Welcome to the Home Page of Willowbrook Alpacas. Based in the village of Broughton Gifford in West Wiltshire, we are selectively breeding huacaya alpacas of varied colours, to genetically improve fleece characteristics and animal conformation.
At Willowbrook Farm, the health and welfare of our animals is foremost. We endeavour to halter train all of our alpacas, so that we are able to offer sociable, content and easily managed animals for sale.
We provide friendly and ongoing advice to anyone who may be interested in keeping alpacas. Willing to offer help to the complete novice who has a desire to keep alpacas simply for pleasure, or for those who wish to enter a growing industry with commercial potential.
 
Elite alpaca genetics
Latest News..............
7th September 2011
Snowmass Sizlin Hot has done it again! I am very proud and pleased to announce that we gained 1st place in the Junior Fawn category, as well as Fawn Colour Champion at the Hope Fleece Show 2011 with his beautiful daughter Willowbrook Fleur. In addition, I had another very pleasant surprise when we went on to take 1st place in the Junior black class, and Black Colour Champion with Willowbrook Mimi. I have attempted to take a photograph of the two girls in all their glory, but we have been experiencing rather dreadful weather conditions here, so they are both looking rather damp and wind swept!
 
Willowbrook Fleur and Willowbrook Mimi - my two colour Champions!
6th July 2011
Have a look at our females for sale page. Atlantic Bevy, a solid white Huacaya female, is being offered for sale along with Collabear Ruby (solid brown) and Collabear Ebony (solid black). As we have limited space we have taken the decision to price these girls at a very competitive level for a quick sale!
 
Willowbrook Fleur (Bevy's 2010 cria) and Willowbrook Ace (Ebony's 2010 cria)
7th June 2011
After waiting for what seemed a lifetime, we finally have two new arrivals at Willowbrook Farm. I think the hard winter we experienced has resulted in longer than average gestations, with many alpacas hanging onto their cria for a full twelve months!
As you can see from the photograph below, our elite male 'Snowmass Sizlin Hot' has again passed his dominant homozygous traits onto his offspring. I believe that I will have great difficulty distinguishing these cria, who are undeniably two peas from the same pod! (Click on cria page for more details)
 
Willowbrook Tiberius and his female companion
15th May 2011
I took this photograph of Tigger, our rather daft farm cat, just before our resident broody hen promptly removed him from her nest! I think he did an admirable job of keeping her eggs warm, but I am not sure our Rhode Island cockerel liked the look of his new mate!
 
Tigger the broody farm Cat!
21st April 2011
During October 2010 the alpacas had a visit from the film crew who make Tractor Ted! For those of you who have not already heard of this famous little green tractor, it is his job to capture real life images of the British countryside and agriculture, and present them in a way that is appealing to children. Our boys were very excited to learn that they would feature in the next Tractor Ted video along with their own alpacas.
Tractor Ted has just released his new DVD called ‘Tractor Ted meets more animals’, which is available from most agricultural stores. It features some less conventional farm animals, and of course Willowbrook’s star alpacas!
Filming with the alpacas - 'Tractor Ted meets more animals'
21st January 2011
Armina and Blaze have recently moved to join five other alpacas at their new home in Buckinghamshire. The girls are carrying great genetics and are both currently pregnant to Snowmass Sizlin Hot. I had intended to capture a photograph of them being loaded into the livestock trailer, but instead below is a picture of Armina taken in early November. This is when halter training is particularly beneficial as I was able to lead them up the ramp without a hint of reluctance; I am grateful to say!
Armina shortly before moving to her new home
2nd December 2010
Building works are currently on hold due to the rather difficult weather conditions we have been experiencing. There are always an abundance of other tasks waiting to be accomplished, so not to be beaten, we set about laying one of the hedges in readiness for fencing a new alpaca paddock when the ground has thawed out.
We let the boys back out into the field this morning after they spent the night in the new barn, but so far they are keeping very close to their shelters!
 
Snow progress on the building front!
11th November 2010
We are delighted with the success of our American herd sire Snowmass Sizlin Hot’s progeny at this year’s alpaca fleece shows. We entered his five 2009 offspring and went on to gain in the Junior classes a 2nd place rosette, 3rd place rosette, 4th place rosette, 5th place rosette and one highly commended. In particular we gained a 4th and 5th place in the Junior Brown class at the Scottish National Fleece Show where there was excellent competition with 268 fleeces exhibited at the largest fleece show in Europe! This is the first time his progeny's fleeces have been shown in the UK and without exception each gained recognition. Click on 'Show Success' for more details.
 
Rosette winners - courtesy of alpaca macho 'Snowmass Sizlin Hot'
I am still waiting for a break in the weather to get a snap of the boys with their rosettes!
8th November 2010
During the recent dreadful weather the alpacas have been thankful to have use of their new purpose built barn. They even have their own night light and ad lib fodder that is not accessible to other domestic animals or wildlife. I think some undisclosed individuals will have to start watching their already expanding waste lines!
Making the most of the new barn - plenty of room for everyone
17th August 2010
Two new cria have been born into the herd. An extremely pretty fawn female we have named Willowbrook Fleur, and a solid black male with a remarkably bright fleece.
 
Snowmass bloodlines -
the best of British and North American
21st June 2010
We have some lovely boys for sale who would make fantastic pets. Click on 'Males for Sale' for more details.
 
The super skinny shorn look! Keeping cool - Progeny of Sizlin Hot
19th June 2010
The builders have been commissioned and operations on the house build have commenced. They are certainly very keen, but I am unsure if any progress is being made!
What do the numbers mean on this tape?
6th June 2010
Work on the new barn extension and purpose built alpaca facility is finally complete. It will enable us to carry out routine husbandry tasks with greater ease, but more importantly the whole herd will have unlimited access to shelter if the weather dictates.
 
Bets on who will still choose to stay out in the driving rain!
We hope that you enjoy navigating your way around our site and discovering more about the enchanting alpaca! If you have any questions please contact us for further information or to arrange a farm visit.
Hannah Welch
Willowbrook Alpacas
Willowbrook Farm
The Common
Broughton Gifford
Wiltshire
SN12 8NA
Tel: +44 (0)1225 782661 / +44 (0)7514 672147
Email: info@willowbrookalpacas.com |
