What do you do with a llama?
You'd be surprised how
many people ask us this question. We raise our llamas to
breed and also for their wool. Their fur can be spun into
a soft, warm wool which makes luxurious sweaters, blankets, hats,
socks and many other items. Be sure to look at the "Merchandise"
section of our web site to see some of the things that we have
done with our wool.
Llamas are very intelligent
animals and can be trained to carry loads, march in parades
or go into nursing homes and schools for visitations.
Our llamas are also our pets!
Can you eat them?
Although llamas are
a valuable source of meat in South America and Canada, those born
in the United States are not raised for food.
Do they spit?
Llamas are not usually aggressive animals but they will spit at other llamas as a defense mechanism, to ward off a threat or to discourage unwanted suitors. On the rare occasion a llama feels threatened, they will spit at humans.
How long is the gestation period?
Mama llamas carry their babies, called cria, for 350 days or 11 1/2 months. Females can be bred at 2 years old. They give birth from standing position and the newborns average weight is 15 to 35 pounds.
 What
do llamas eat?
Llamas usually get all
the nutrition they need from grazing in an open pasture.
They need plenty of fresh, clean water and can be fed hay or a
grain substitute in the winter months. A cria will start
eating grass and grain at 2 to 3 months of age along with their
mother's milk.
How big do they get?
Full grown llamas range from 250 to 450 pound and stand 6 to 7 feet tall.
How do llamas communicate with each other?
Llamas make a soft humming
sound and they use body language as a show of strength.
A llama will make a loud sound of distress to alert the herd of
a dangerous situation.
Is there alot of maintenance required?
Very little, we give our llamas routine wormings and yearly vaccinations. We sheer their wool once a year and other than that we like to have the newborns checked by a vet to make sure they are healthy.
How much do they cost?
Prices can range from several hundred dollars for a pet quality male to many thousand for breeding quality females and males. Other pricing considerations are proven breeding record, pedigree and personality.
|
