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3:31 pm
October 31, 2010
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Anyone have (or had) one? Did he/she serve you well? What does it take feed-wise?
3:47 pm
February 10, 2009
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I've cared for them, not mine though. Hopefully others will answer too, but I found that they can be … uncooperative. The one intact male was a little aggressive, but not badly and not dangerous but he was strong and a bit difficult. The females were skittish, leading any of them was a bit, awkward. They followed nicely if they wanted to, but often were herky jerky, and ready to lunge away. They're very goat-like in attitude, but larger and stronger, so when they're in a good mood, all was well, when feeling goofy, a challenge. Does all that make sense?
They were happiest loose in the pasture, friendly enough. If you have one very docile one, who leads well, the others are easier and will follow along more nicely.
We fed them sweet feed (they don't need much) and good hay, mostly timothy as well as being out on pasture as much as possible. I can't remember if they had a regular salt block or a mineral block like goats need, but I think probably the mineral block.
It was years ago but I thought I'd try to remember what I could for starters here.
8:07 pm
May 16, 2011
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My cousin has a Llama named Pippin who I have not had the pleasure of meeting. Jan loves all her animals so, they're her "children". I know of one incident when Pippin was eating and for some reason was upset with her "mommy" and spit a mouthful of food right in Jan's face covering her hair, face and eyeglasses. I was howling with laughter as Jan was telling me, but needless to say Jan was not very amused!
8:32 pm
December 28, 2008
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You might find some useful info in this topic: http://chickensintheroad.com/f…..38;ret=all
(It never hurts to search for just about anything. Not a whole lot of topics that have not been contemplated!)
The only llamas I've been around were quite domesticated, but am pretty sure that they had a lot of human contact since birth. Don't really know for sure, though. Were we able, we definitely would have them. Alas, too large for our surroundings. Maybe.
10:22 pm
October 31, 2010
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I'll have to take a look…thanks!
I was thinking in terms of a "lifestock guardian" 
animal when I'm thinking of a llama.
8:51 am
August 29, 2008
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I had 3 alpacas & 1 llama…The 3 alpacas were all intact males and apparently did not have much human contact….but the llama we got him when he was around 1 yr old….he did not have much human contact but only took about 2 months to get him used to us…he was very curious but loving….he accepted the job of guard like it was just natural for him………….only concern is if you have any deer that visit the pastures……I can't remember the really big long name of a worm that they can pick up from the deer but it affects the spinal area…..worming is a monthly must if deer is around……hopefully this helps
1:04 pm
August 30, 2008
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Angela P. has one named "Jeff" as I recall… I will give her a heads up to look this topic over!
3:24 pm
November 23, 2009
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I DO have a Llama and his name is The Jeff! He is by far my fav of all my farm animals. Shhh dont tell Blossom! The worm you are describing is called Menegeal Worm. Its awful! It gets its name from menegeus, the brains barrier. It was about a year ago when we thought Jeff was infected. Turned out his vertebrae was out. Thank GOD! You can treat it, heavy doses of Fenbendazole or Panacur. And I mean mega doses. The out come usually isnt good. Those two brands of dewormer cross over the the brains barrier. The best defense is a dewroming schedule.If you have areas on your property that are prone to standing water. Use those brands of dewormers. Lots of controversy about dewormers. Do your research, talk with your vet then come to a plan. I use herbals and the big guns like the above. One scare of that worm and it will really get you going.
Llamas make fabulous guard animals. They require little grain. Jeff gets 1 cup a day, usually at night. and 2 leafs of hay a day. Of course fresh water always. I use sheep minerals since Llamas are similar to sheep in the copper sensitivity. They can tolerate a little copper though. Not all LLamas are guard Llamas. You will know a true guard. Usually a HE but not always. In my case…He will look you straight in the eyes and not look away. He will demonstrate a proud stature and may gurgle! I tried to mimic Jeffs sounds one day. Dont do it. They will spit! I LOVE my Jeff. He makes me laugh, keeps me guessing, and will tenderly rub his face to mine. That is the best. Not to mention their beautiful fiber. Jeff is a medium wool. Its ohhh sooo soft.
9:29 am
March 4, 2010
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It is a good idea to get your soil and feed tested for selenium, and be careful of which mineral you choose. It is good for sheep, but highly toxic to llamas. We have had 2 llamas in the past and both died. 
We miss them very much. We never got our soil tested, but considering that this is a popular area to raise sheep, we wonder if the content is too high here. We will never get another while living here, but if we move, testing is one of the first things we will get done. We loved our llamas.
Make sure that you have a vet who is familiar with llamas. None of ours are familiar with them here. That is awful when your animal comes down with something and they don't have a clue, but charge you a mint anyway.
A good guard llama will be one that isn't coddled or spoiled. The more spoiled ones will test their limits (they see humans as llamas and will compete) and are more prone to spitting, which is their last means of defense. Our first one guarded just fine, but tested each person by making them go around if he was on a path. If you went around, he was dominant. If you pushed through, you were. They need a hill to scout from. They love hills and steep places. Here you will see the dominance thing at play too. Our second one was a good guard too, but more aloof.
Llamas' manure piles are territorial markers. Just letting you know that disturbing them may (but not necessarily) bring repercussion. I've heard that it can be grounds for spitting.
Make sure if you get a llama, that they can cush. It makes shearing and trimming of toenails easier. If they lead well, this is also very important. It is best that you don't touch their head. They don't like it. A great way to catch them is by gently throwing a rope over the back of their neck, but not grabbing anything at their head, then walk up and take the rope. They can move very snake-like and you will never get them that way.
In the end, thoroughly research llamas (beware of myths out there…there are many), know your particular llama's background and make sure you have a knowledgable vet.
A funny story about one llama…this one spit at everyone passing by. So much so that the owner sold t-shirts, "I was spit on by____." Often, one fellow who had to walk by would hide behind a post, the llama would spit and spit, get the post, but never got him. One day he noticed the animal lying down apparently asleep. He quickly and quietly snuck up on it, straddled his back and repeatedly spit in the llama's face. Of course, he didn't like it. I guess from then on, it still spit at everyone else, but took one look at this guy and took off every time. He won the dominance contest. I could only imagine. What a sight that would have been! 
3:48 pm
November 23, 2009
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I am sooo sorry to hear you lost your Llamas. I do not look forward to that day when I have to say my final good by
I have seen shirts that say "Spit Happens!" Aint that the truth. We have a neighbor who tells me I am living her dream…poor thing she must have nightmares…just kidding! Anyways Jeffs fence runs along their yard and voices carry through the woods. We could hear them say "Awww isnt he cute? He is sooo soft! Then it turned to….OH MY GOD! HE JUST PUKED ON ME! UGhhh the smellll! YUCK! I dont think they tried to pet him again. I did warn them that he spits. He is after all a Llama.
A friend recently sent me a sign that read: This is a farm. Aniamls make funny sounds. Smell bad and have outdoor sex. If you are not into funny noises, smells and seeing animals having sex. Do Not buy the property next to this farm! LOL! Llama or not!
4:22 pm
January 21, 2011
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or get married… oops.. sorry. 
9:55 am
March 4, 2010
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AngelaP, what are the symptoms if the llama gets worms? We had never read about this, nor had we ever been told about it. It does make sense to worm them. I would like some more information for future reference should we be fortunate to get another.
Also, could there be a natural way to worm them like with chickens and such? Either one you can easily find the ingredients for or a company that would sell a "safe" type of wormer that works in llamas? I know that they have pretty special requirements at times as they are not standard livestock.
10:40 am
March 13, 2011
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I love the sign your friend sent you Angela, and your last posting had me in fits of laughing Mary B……… my cats are now sure I have lost the plot and keep giving me very dirty looks, I have loved reading all about the Llamas they are so fascinating. We go to see them with our Grandaughter at the petting farm. Once of them took a dislike to my son and spat straight in his face. Poor lad, but he was right good about it and didnt let it spoil his day but my oh my did it stink.
10:52 am
October 31, 2010
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Ahh…. the more I think about llamas, the more I think I'd just get a good dog… 
But I AM enjoying reading everyone's experiences!!!!!
[But I do hear there are coyotes nearby...and a neighbor dog or 2....who knows, maybe I'll change my mind!]
Thank you
12:37 pm
September 26, 2010
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I had a pair of Llamas that became a family. I wormed them per schedule from the vets, they got a (small) scoop of grain between them, and mostly had pasture, switching to hay in the winter. I never supplimented them with anything else.
Of all the animals we had on our farm they were the easiest to take care of. They never challenged the fence (even when the power was out,) and they were wonderful guard animals! A neighbor across the street had Rotweillers that were rarily contained and used to come over when we had lambs and kid goats. One day I heard a dog yelping like it was in real pain and ran outside to see one of his dogs being kicked across the field, over and over and over by our male llama. Later that evening the owner of the dog came over wanting us to pay the vet bill for the dog's broken ribs. (I didn't of course.) From that day on, none of his dogs were ever loose without his being around, and my livestock was never bothered again.
I think llamas are wonderful, and if I ever get to have a farm again, I wouldn't hesitate to get one for my guardian of the others.
PS. Yes, mine spit occasionally, especially after they had their little cria, but if you listen (they usually hum and warn you) and then watch for the ears going flat, you can get out of the way.
12:41 pm
October 31, 2010
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Love hearing about your llama "taking care of" the neighbor's dogs!
12:52 pm
March 13, 2011
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That is some good advice Blyss and yes the one I was taking about was humming as Tim said to it…. what are you singing about??… just before it spat at him. I will have to let him know the warning signs. Many thanks for the info. I am sure we will be going to see them again soon. Little one loves animals. I am hoping to get her a couple of rabbits in the spring she can not have them at her house cos they got a dog plus her Mum don't want the mucking out duties with a new baby due soon.
7:31 am
December 29, 2011
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I was reading this post because I've always wanted a llama or alpacas, but Leah's mom, if you're looking for a guard against coyotes and dogs, my neighbor back on the farm used a donkey in with his livestock. He says they will go after coyotes and keep everyone safe and sound….
(and they don't spit!) So I'm just throwing that out there!
7:15 pm
November 23, 2009
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LK said:
AngelaP, what are the symptoms if the llama gets worms? We had never read about this, nor had we ever been told about it. It does make sense to worm them. I would like some more information for future reference should we be fortunate to get another.
Also, could there be a natural way to worm them like with chickens and such? Either one you can easily find the ingredients for or a company that would sell a "safe" type of wormer that works in llamas? I know that they have pretty special requirements at times as they are not standard livestock.
One of the symptoms of Mennengeal worms is that their walk/ gate is off. You can try http://www.firmeadow.com she is a master herbalist and has an herbal dewormer for mennengeal. If you have a male Llama, be careful about too much grain. Calcium calculi. I give Jeff about 1 cup once a day and thats when I sprinkle on his minerals and kelp.
8:08 pm
November 23, 2009
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Today my husband and I took Jeff for a walk. He walked our dog, Addie Mae and I walked Jeff. Im "thinking" of training him to pull a cart. We shall see!?? Jeff did very well on his first walk. Very happy! I think Jeff is unlike other Llamas…. thats an understatement! He is very affectionate, happy and a proud Llama. So easy going. Out of all the animals here, next to the Bees, he is by far the easiet. Trim his hooves once a year and shearing. I shear Jeff myself. He holds very still for the shearing and I think its normal for them to "cush" when you have one of their hoofs in your hand.
I've never had a Llama before. I found him for sale on craigslist, $50! We went and met Jeff, fell in love, picked him up the next day. His previous owner and I are very good friends. We email each other daily and are friends on Facebook. Whoever thought a friendship could come from buying a Llama? I dont think its fair in saying that all Llamas are going to be like Jeff. He really has broke the mold! So much to be said on how they were raised, treated and fed. I could go on and on about stories of Jeff! When people see me or first meet me the first thing they ask is "how is Jeff?" That makes me laugh!
I am very fortunate to have many wonderful animals here. Two rescue horses who act like teenage brothers, goats who follow me around like the family dog, chickens with names who come to me when called and a Llama named The Jeff! Blessings all around.
I think Llamas are a wonderful addition to any farm or family. Spit or not
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