Northshore magazine showcases the best that the North Shore of Boston, MA has to offer.
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/555185
206 "Sheep are so familiar. Alpacas are a relatively new concept," says Mel- anie Cosgrove, nodding to the pack of animals she and musician Pat Badger keep. "They are very docile and easy on the environment," says Badger, with obvious affection for the 10 alpacas inhabiting their West Newbury farm. "We call this the fraternity, and the sorority is down below," ex- plains Cosgrove, pointing to two separate paddocks. "The boys hang out on the hill and keep watch over the girls." In fact, the four males and six females—all of whom have been named—rarely comingle, as breeding is not why the couple keeps them. "It's planned parenting," laughs Badger. They have bred them in the past, but they talk about the commitment it requires. There's an 11.5-month gestation period and a two-week window when you have to be available for the birth, and then there's special care needed during the first year of life. However, both of them light up when talking about "the babies," and it is clear there will be more to come…at some point. Alpacas are from the Andes Mountains in South America and are found in high altitudes of Melanie Cosgrove and Pat Badger keep a total of 10 alpacas on their West Newbury farm.