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Basic Care of Llamas
This article was contributed by Lars Garrison, West Mountain
Farm, Inc.
Photograph is by Greenbriar Llama Karma Farm. See Our
Llamas for instructions on how to acquire a high resolution copy of the
photograph. The structure on the right is a Cria Creep.
Llamas, the genus to which llamas and alpacas belong, are the easiest of large animals to care for. Should I also say that they are also the most fun to work with since they are so intelligent? Save that for another article.
Let's approach this from the standpoint of a prospective new
owner who has
never had large animals. The basics are quite simple - a fenced
area of an acre or so, a minimal three sided weather shelter, good quality first
cut hay for winter, water, mineral mix to offer as a supplement since some
naturally occurring minerals in South America aren't in our soils, llama mix
grain, and two or more llamas. With these needs covered, you are on your way to
enjoying your llamas. Remember, however, that you are the most important
component of your llama's needs.
Fencing can be anything from four foot page wire (woven wire) to high tensile. Avoid barbed wire. Shelter for two to four animals can be provided by a 10' x 12' prefab shed on up to the old dairy barn on your property. It need not be complicated. Just face it away from the prevailing winds, usually South, to keep snow and rain out.
First cut hay is just that - the early cut of hay usually baled by late June. Be sure it was dry when baled so it isn't moldy. Keep it in a dry place. Figure on a bale per week per animal. If you have water at a pre-existing barn, great. If not, you can easily bucket from the house. Count on their using about a gallon per day each.
The purpose of grain and mineral mix is often confused. The soils of the US and the Andes are quite different. We must compensate for that. No big deal. Agway, Nutrena, Blue Seal and others have prepared llama feeds available. We have ours mixed for us at Wirtes Feeds in Lanesboro, Massachusetts. All of these are designed to supply llama mineral requirements when fed at the rate of a pound per day per animal. To be sure that all of our animals get their needs cared for, we also offer free choice a mineral supplement mixed with salt. It contains the same minerals as the grain, but is sometimes more palatable to some llamas. There is not a problem with them overeating minerals.
Any pasture is good. They particularly enjoy browsing on brush so don't worry about clearing land for them. Poisonous plants do occur. Most dangerous are Rhododendron, Mountain Laurel, yews and the wilted leaves and bark of cherry trees. The Greater Appalachian Llama and Alpaca Association has a guidebook available on poisonous plants.
Most llamas must be sheared in the spring to control heat. Our climate is much warmer than the Andes. Tack of all kinds, specifically for llamas, is available from several suppliers at reasonable prices.
Above all, remember that llamas are herd animals. They need companionship of same species animals to do well. It is best to have two or more llamas of the same sex pastured together. They can also be in with goats or sheep.
If you would like more information, call us at 802-694-1417 or
e-mail at llamawmf@sover.net. Lars
Garrison, West Mountain Farm, Inc. Stamford, Vermont
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