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What do you need to
take proper care of a llama?
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If you are a first time Llama Owner, please read the list below to get a
basic idea of the care required to maintain these beautiful creatures.
We offer new buyer assistance and are available for any questions you
may have. No question is too silly. Use our experience so that you will
not make the same mistakes that we did. We have seen to many needless
deaths occur to due to not de-worming monthly or simply not removing
fighting teeth. Education is key. Never purchase a baby llama less than
6 months old. Know the medical history and facts about the llama you
will buy. Deal with a responsible breeder. Llamas are mystical, curious creatures that can be enjoyed as pets, used as fiber animals for spinners, packing for trails, guards for sheep or alpacas, or used in 4-H projects. Windshire raises premier Breeding Stock and Show Champions so not every llama meets our criteria for breeding. Therefore, we have high quality companion/pets available for sale. Of course we also have starter breeding packages for those who want to live the Llama Lifestyle. |
| Requirements: Llamas are herd oriented animals and must have a
companion. Two Llamas are ideal. Llamas are used for guarding sheep and
goats may be OK without a companion llama?? Each llama is unique may not
be suited as a guard llama or be content without another llama
companion. Alpacas would be considered a companion animal and llamas are
often used to guard alpacas.
Land: Four llamas per acre. Shelter: At a minimum you want to provide wind protection in the
winter and shade in the summer. We use automatic, commercial fans in our
barns for the summer. In the winter, our barn doors can be shut for
storms or winter conditions involving freezing rain and snow. Not
all llamas go into shelter during a bad storm. You are the care taker
and must realize that some llamas are on the lower pecking order of the
herd and need special attention. Fence Hay Grain Minerals Shearing & Toenails: Llamas breath through their arm pits and foot pads. It is important to shear off the blanket area annually making sure the arm pit area is completely shorn. Leave about an inch of fiber on the blanket to allow for sun block. Even a "light wooled" animal should be sheared. Would you like to wear a winter coat in the summer time? We start shearing in April using electric shears on some and hand shears on others. We clip toenails approximately 3 times a year. Heat Stress: Llamas have a more difficult time in the summer
than winter. 3-4 days of elevated temps of 88 to 92 degrees outside
often sets off heat stress. More importantly, the first cool day
following a heat spell is the worst. Their bodies have not had time to
cool down. Do not stop the fans or hosing the llamas down simply because
the weather finally has cooled down. Symptoms: Lying in the field, won't
move unless agitated, froth, drool, saliva around lips, drooping of
lower lip, open mouth breathing, stiffness, in-coordination, heart rate
elevated 20-25%, respiration may be normal. Take a temperature if you
suspect heat stress. Normal body temperature should be ~99-101.8
degrees. Lactating moms seem to suffer more from extreme heat. Pregnant
Females stressed by high body temps often abort in 3-14 days or deliver
3-5 week early crias. Males will go sterile if heat stressed. Temperature + % Humidity = <120 (no problem), 150 (caution), > 180 (danger) Fighting Teeth and Gelding: A male llama will have 6 fighting teeth at the average age of two. Llamas do not read, so their fighting teeth may come in later or surprise you at an earlier age. These teeth must be sawed off using ob wire if two or more males are kept together to prevent torn ears, or removal of testicles. Gelding is recommended at the age of two. Medical Equipment: A scale is
key to keep on top of a llamas health. Llamas are very stoic creatures
and monthly weighing will provide valuable input to overall health. You
can estimate a llamas weight by touching the topline (back spine) and
feeling for a backbone. An average llama is approximately 300-350
pounds, but some body types can really fool you. Catch Pen: Not many vets will even look at your animal
that cannot be contained in a catch pen. A 10x10 corral panel pen is
necessary and also good for haltering and training. |
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Products used at Windshire
**We replaced Panacur Paste with "Synanthic(22%) = Oxfendazole" Grain: Southern States Llama feed. "Cooperative Milling 14% Llama Feed" @ $9.00 50lb bag. Minerals: Still Water Minerals. Stillwater 1800-255-0357. $85.00 for 50lb. Hay: 2nd cutting Orchard Grass, ~$4.00/bale, ~35lb bales. Electric Shears: Lister Stablemate @ $240.00,
additional blades @ $50 each. ("Coarse" Blades), Blade
Sharpening $6.50 a set. Fans: HAMPTON BAY, 20",$26.23 each,
($17.48 on sale) Model HV-20D, 3speed, watts=142,180,210,
amps=1.4,1.6,1.9, Home Depot. Note: these are low-end fans that we use
at shows. We also set these up for individual use or for in a trailer. |
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Recommended Vets for Carroll County, Mount Airy, Maryland area Dr. Kay Wagner, (410) 239-3713 Emergency#:
(443) 375-0603 N.Carroll Vet. Service, Dr. Rosilyn Hain or Dr. Karen Miller (301)
698-9930 or (301) 831-1110 Dr. Sarah Link (301) 898-8884 (MUST LEAVE VOICE MAIL - HARD TO GET IN TOUCH WITH) Dr. Skipton or Dr.Hamm (301) 253-6808
Woodfield Veteriany Clinic |
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Recommended Books "Caring for Llamas and
Alpacas", Clare Hoffman and Ingrid Asmus (good for llama
basics)
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