Llama history

Llamas are members of the camelid family. They are one of the oldest domestic animals in the world. They migrated from North America to South America and took up residence in the Andean mountains with the Inca Indians and other Natives over 5,000 years ago. The International Llama Registry was established 1985.

Llama Facts:

Average birth weight for a "Cria"- 18 - 30 lbs.

Average adult weight - 250 - 400 lbs.

Approximate life span - 20+ years

Breeding age -(male)2-2 1/2 years, (female) 18 mo.-2 years (Act of copulation will induce ovulation) Gestation -350 days)

Requirements: Hardy in most climates and easy to care for, must shear in the Spring 1 time a year. Must have adequate shade in summer and shelter in severe weather.

They are very intelligent: Extremely alert, observant, curious, trustworthy, peaceful, stoic, gentle but beautiful creatures.

They are easy to train: They can carry 25% - 30% of their body weight along with their soft pads and their agility makes them very popular for mountain trekking. They are very surefooted and ca carry your load as well as entertain you along the way because they are really social animals if they are trained and handled often.

Ecologically friendly: They are excellent foragers and can reach higher than goats and sheep. They also have less impact on plant life than the native deer. They have considerate bathroom habits. Usually Llamas will use the bathroom in a communal dung pile which makes the "clean-up" much easier.

Very healthy: They are very hardy with few medical problems only requiring general worming and CDT vaccinations annually as with any other livestock. Easy to care for they only eat half of what a horse eats. WOW!!

Guards for Predator Management: More effective if over one year of age. Gelded males are recommended. A single Llama is preferred, and should avoid an excessive amount of human companionship so that they may bond with the livestock, and therefore protect them more efficiently. They are effective for 10 - 20 years and have a low mortality rate.

Fiber: Their fiber is very soft and Lanolin free. It can be spun and woven into warm clothing, blankets, etc.

Why we have llamas? They are our pasture poodles! Actually they are fascinating, so much fun and I love to watch people's first interactions with them. Do they spit? NO! well actually they spit at each other occasionally to control and hog their food at feeding time. I think sometimes if you aren't paying attention you get caught in the crossfire. They love to run up to you and get in your face to smell you breath that's how they identify with you. I call it Llama kissing but they are really just checking you out. They will touch your lips but not bite, lick, or spit.

Visit our Bulletin Board to view pictures of our customers that have been kissed by a llama.

BELOW ARE SOME OF OUR ADULT BREEDING STOCK: