Llama Facts

Colors: Solid, spotted, or a variety of patterns and colors. Color is usually a surprise--two black Llamas can have a white cria, two white Llamas a black, etc. We have everything from Appaloosa to white Llamas and many colors in between.

Where do Llamas originally come from?

Llamas are native to the mountainous region of South America. In that country they are used for pack animals, a valuable source of meat and wool, and their droppings provide a source of fertilizer and fuel. Llamas, Alpacas, Vicunas, and Guanacos are all members of the Camelid family.

What do Llamas eat?

Since Llamas are modified ruminants, (their stomachs have 3 compartments), their diet consists of pasture (1 acre of good pasture is generally sufficient to graze 4 Llamas), fresh, good quality hay, with at least 8-10% protein (an adult Llama will eat approximately 1 bale of hay per week), and a Llama ration to insure complete nutrition. We personally prefer the ration to be in a crumble form, instead of pellet form, to lessen the incident of choke. The recommended amount of crumble for a full-grown Llama is approximately 1 pound a day. In the area in which we live, Llama ration is under $9.00 for a 50-lb. bag. Due to the Llama=s efficient digestive system, the cost to feed the average Llama is approximately $100-$120 per year.

What type of housing do Llamas need?

A simple 3 2 sided structure will suffice. We use several types of structure including: a 24 x 24 pole barn, a two-sided horse barn, and a 3 2 sided shelter. Llamas need plenty of shade in the summer (fans are also advisable) and a dry place to break the wind in the winter and spring.

We bed our Llamas in hay during the cold months and bare dirt floors in the warmer weather.

Fencing

We have found that 5 ft. tall woven wire field fencing with a single strand top wire works well.

Though Llamas are not known for leaning on fences, we do have some that will crunch down@ on the top of the fence. Therefore, the single strand top wire keeps the fence from being damaged.

Barbed wire is not recommended for Llamas since their wool can become entangled in the barbs and their curious nature can cause them to poke their eyes on the barbs.

We don’t use high tensile for security purposes--it=s too easy for dogs and coyotes to enter into.

We also don=t use electric fencing, but do know Llama breeders who use it quite successfully.

How do you transport a Llama?

Llamas can be transported in a variety of vehicles including: vans, pickup trucks with caps, and stock or horse trailers. We have personally used all of these at one time or another.

The horse trailer was a bit scary, as it was not fully enclosed in the back. Since Llamas like to jump when afraid, we laced heavy straps across the open spaces.

We now use an extended van to transport our Llamas. It allows us room to transport 2 large Llamas or 3 babies, and also has room left for tack. It also allows us to keep an eye on our Llamas during transport. We have learned, however, that it is not safe to tie Llamas while being transported since they can get caught in their tether or even break their necks trying to get loose.

Do Llamas require much veterinary care?

Yearly vaccinations and routine worming are the basic protocol for keeping Llamas healthy.

The owner can do other tasks, such as toenail trimming and shearing.

How often do Llamas have babies?

Llamas generally have a single baby (cria) after a gestation period of 11 2 months. The births usually occur during the daylight hours and usually require little, if any, assistance. We have not had to assist with any of our Llama births, even though we have everything from first time moms to seasoned moms. Moms can produce until the age of 15 to 20 years if cared for properly.

Cria are generally weaned from 6-8 months after birth. We remove males from their moms and pasture mates no later than 8 months of age. This is done to protect against possible breeding of young males to young females.

We personably do not breed any of our females until they are at least 2 2 years old (depending on size and maturity). Most often we wait until females and males are 3 years of age to use them for breeding purposes. Since the Llamas are mature at this age, this also allows us to make the best choices in determining if an animal is of breeding quality or not.

What is a Llama=s personality like?

Independent, yet very shy, Llamas are gentle, curious, and always alert. Each Llama in our herd has their own distinct personality. Llamas are intelligent, easy to handle, and train and make excellent companions for children. They are also highly sociable herd animals that need the companionship of other Llamas. Because of this fact, Llamas should always be kept together in groups of 2 or more except in the case of guard Llamas.

How do Llamas communicate?

Llamas make a soft humming sound. They can also sound an alarm call in times of distress to warn the herd of intruders or potentially dangerous situations. The alarm call sounds much like a horse=s whinny.

Are Llamas difficult to clean up after?

Llama manure is Apelleted@ and looks much like Sheep and Goat manure. Llamas also prefer community dung piles making pasture clean up much easier than it is for other livestock.

Do Llamas bite, kick or spit?

Llamas only have blunted bottom teeth, which make it impossible to do any thing but nibble or pull on clothing (unless you put your finger in their mouths). Males around the age of 2-3 grow sharp fighting teeth that need to be removed, blunted, or cut to keep from injuring other Llamas in the same pasture.

Llamas can kick with a sideward motion and, though it does sting, the impact of their two soft toes is nothing like the force of a horse=s hooves.

Llamas do spit as a defense mechanism, at feeding time, to establish a pecking order within the herd, or to ward off an unwanted suitor. Llamas that have been severely mishandled or feels abused or threatened may occasionally spit at humans. Any incidences we have had with spitting have been because we were caught in the crossfire during feeding time or in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Are Llamas affordable?

Yes. Prices are dependent on the quality of each animal. Sex, age, conformation, disposition, bloodline, level of training, fiber quality, etc. are all variables that go into the pricing of our Llamas.

Call us at 419-938-3475 or e-mail us at: info@amazinggracellamas.com

for additional information about pricing for specific Llamas of interest to you. If we don=t have what you want, we will gladly direct you to other breeders who may.