Happyard

22/02/2026

Today, we have began step 2 of our cria halter training.
Tina is explaining what we do in step 2, and why.
Keep tuned to learn the next steps!! 🦙

22/02/2026

Bubba’s seal impression! 🤣🦭

21/02/2026

🚨 A very rare opportunity! 🚨

We have some school/ college work experience placements available here at our alpaca farm! 🦙✨

Mainly weekend and Friday spaces, with a limited number of weekday opportunities too. These work experience placements don’t come up very often, so if you (or someone you know) are passionate about animals, this could be something really special!

We are looking for reliable, trustworthy, self-motivated individuals who are willing to prioritise the welfare and wellbeing of our animals at all times. Farm life is incredibly rewarding, but it’s also hands-on and requires dedication, whatever the weather! ☀️🌧️

✨ Experience in this setting isn’t essential — what matters most to us is a positive attitude, a willingness to learn, and a genuine love and respect for animals. We’re happy to teach the right person who is keen to get involved and work hard.

Student opportunities include:
⭐️ Helping to halter train our cria (baby alpacas)
⭐️ Assisting on alpaca walks and supporting public interactions
⭐️ Learning to confidently and calmly handle alpacas, horses, guinea pigs and more
⭐️ Supporting daily husbandry tasks including feeding, mucking out and general care
⭐️ Gaining insight into small farm management and animal welfare practices

This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone considering a future in animal care, agriculture, veterinary work, or simply wanting to build confidence and experience working with animals in a real farm setting. You’ll learn practical skills, responsibility, teamwork, and the importance of patience and consistency when working with livestock.

We only have work- experience for school/colleges available at this time.

Placements are limited and will be offered to those who show genuine enthusiasm and commitment.

📍We are based at Kingston Russell.
10 min drive from Dorchester
15 min drive from Bridport
20 min drive from Weymouth.

If you’re interested (or would like more information), please send us a message — we’d love to hear from you! 🦙💚

💬 Please contact us via facebook messenger or pop us an email to:
info@bridevalleyalpacas.com

16/02/2026

16/02/2026

Today, we have began step 1 of our cria halter training!
This is Tina showing each of our cria, and describing step 1.
Stay tuned to find out our next steps of halter training over the next few weeks, in preparation for the National Alpaca Show 2026 in March.

15/02/2026

A very soggy Mr Pink trying to eat the camera! 🤣 🥰

14/02/2026

Baby alpaca kisses are the best 🥹
Happy Valentine’s day! 💐❤️

13/02/2026

🦙 Alpaca Fact Friday!

Did you know alpacas can be amazing livestock guardians?

Lots of sheep farmers keep an alpaca in the field — but they’re also great protectors for goats and even chickens! Alpacas are constantly scanning their surroundings, and they’re quick to alert the herd if anything seems “off.”

They don’t take breaks either… they stay on guard day and night, which makes them surprisingly serious security animals. 👀🚨

If an alpaca spots a predator (like a fox), it will often let out a high-pitched alarm scream to warn the others — and then it may actually charge, kick, and stomp. In fact, alpacas have even been known to kill foxes by stomping on them!

Some studies have shown alpacas can reduce livestock losses by up to 90%, especially during lambing season when foxes are most active and lambs are extra vulnerable.

Basically… alpacas aren’t just cute — they’re tiny fluffy bodyguards. 😄🦙💪

01/02/2026

We need your help ASAP!
Im sure many of you have seen this handsome little chap, Jasper.
He is being entered for a show, and he needs a show name!
The show name needs to be decided by tomorrow 😟
So please if you have any suggestions for him, comment them below ⬇️

He is brown, his mum is called Quiana and his dad is called Mo. Feel welcome to relate with those or of course something else!
His name is Jasper.
We need something that stands out, and would like it to start with J (it doesn’t have to).
Thankyou everyone! 🦙

31/01/2026

Our babies are all growing up ❤
Furry ones and not quite so furry one 😀

Although we are closed to the public in the winter, days are full with winter husbandry and are short so there is still plenty to do in little time.

These little bundles of joy will soon be starting training so that we can take them to shows, events, weddings and also be part of our happyard activities here at Bride Valley farm.
Looking forward to brighter days soooo much! ☀️🕶️

30/01/2026

Alpaca fact of the week 🦙

Did you know?
Alpacas are native to the Andes Mountains of South America, particularly Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina. They thrive in high-altitude environments, usually living at elevations between 4,000 and 4,800 metres above sea level. Life that high comes with challenges like low oxygen levels, cold temperatures, and harsh weather, but alpacas are perfectly adapted to handle it.

Alpacas have been domesticated for over 6,000 years, mainly for their incredible fibre. Alpaca fleece is used to make clothing such as socks, gloves, hats, and jumpers because it’s excellent at regulating body temperature—keeping you warm in the cold and cool in the heat. While alpaca fleece isn’t waterproof, it is naturally water-resistant, making it ideal for outdoor wear.

Alpacas belong to the camelid family, which includes camels, llamas, guanacos, vicuñas, and alpacas.
The main difference between these animals is their size. Camels are the largest at around 1.8 metres tall, followed by guanacos (about 1.3 m), llamas (around 1.2 m), alpacas (about 1.1 m)—with vicuñas being the smallest, standing at roughly 1 metre tall.

27/01/2026

Happy birthday to wonderful Gayle!! 💕

Gayle has been with us for over a year now and she is so passionate about the care of all of our animals at Happyard, and particularly loves the guinea pigs!!
Gayle also loves her vegetable patch at the farm too, which she spends a lot of time on during the summer! 🌽🥕

Thankyou for everything you do and we hope you have a wonderful day! 🥳🎂
From all the humans and animals at Happyard 💌🦙