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Ten Tips For New Owners

Llamas are very easy to care for, but there are some
special considerations and requirements to keep them healthy and happy. Here's a short list of tips for new llama owners:

Don't buy babies younger than 4 or 5 months, and resist the urge to play "mom" Adorable as they are, little llamas aren't good candidates for "coochie-coochie-coo" affection. Actually, unweaned baby llamas (called crias) are not suitable pets - they would be much better off with their mothers until they are fully weaned, and most reputable breeders will not sell crias under four or five months of age. Unweaned crias can be bottlefed with plain homogenized Vitamin D milk. Cuddling is off limits; keep physical human contact to a minimum. An adult llama bonded to a human from near-birth without proper herd socialization could be dangerous when it naturally treats the human as another llama. Seek information from knowledgeable reputable breeders like Leisure Acres Llamas or from your veterinarian.

Llamas should not be left in halter all the time Llamas must be trained to accept a halter or there must at least be a catchpen or stall available for haltering - leaving your llama in its halter all the time is both cruel and dangerous. It can result in abscesses, ulcers, and unsightly calluses at the very least, and the situation could be even worse - if a llama's halter catches on something, it could actually cause a borken neck. Learn to halter your llama when it is necessary and remove the halter when the event is over.

Llamas must be fed reasonably Non-breeding llamas fare very well on free choice hay, adequate pasture, fresh water and free choice loose minerals. If they are breeding, underweight or lactating, supplement them with a feed formulated for llamas. Goat or cow formulated feed can be used - even horse feed has been used. Whether you feed your llamas grain or pellets, be sure they have free access to a source of salt and minerals.

Heat and humidity are adjustments for llamas Llamas, accustomed to the dry thin air of the South American Andes, don't handle heat or humidity well. Heavy wooled llamas need to be sheared in the spring.They are happy to have a hosing or bath when the heat is oppresive.They must have shelter from direct sun and some kind of air movement if their shelter is enclosed.

Llamas are susceptible to some poison plants and trees Llamas are browsers - they like to eat a variety of things. The problem is, a number of those things can be lethal. Rhododendron and wilted cherry are among the most well-known examples of vegetation that have proved lethal to llamas. A llist of toxic plants and trees is available - check with any of the associations devoted to camelids, or Leisure Acres Llamas.

Llamas don't like to be alone One of the most endearing and interesting aspects of llama life is their intense bonding to and concern for each other. Never buy a single llama to be kept without any other llamas - add a llama to an existing herd or buy them as a pair. And even if you do purchase a pair, expect some eccentric behavior if they're separated. As long as the two are together, everything should be fine .... but if you take just one of them out of their enclosure, the one remaining may become extremely agitated and may even jump the fence or harm itself in an attempt to rejoin the other. Keep them together to keep them happy and healthy.

Llamas need shelter and fencing Keeping llamas without any shelter but trees can be done, but it's far from an ideal situation! Llamas need some protection from wind, snow, rain, sun and lightning. Fencing is also necessary, but fencing appropriate for any kind of livestock of similar size should be adequate. Barbed wire is an EXTREMELY poor choice since llamas rub against fences and poke their heads through the wires; the barbs can easily injure their prominent eyes, or rip into their skin.

It's also important to house your llamas correctly. Males close to 1 year should not reside with females. Young females should not reside with males, young or old.

Male llamas must be handled correctly By the time male llamas reach about two years of age, they develop curved and very sharp upper and lower fighting teeth. If untrimmed, these teeth can cause serious damage to other males (and/or to an uncooperative female). Consult your veterinarian about removing the tips of your male llama's fighting teeth.

Llama pens must be kept clean and free of "stuff" Llamas are curious. They explore everything. Don't leave potentially dangerous lumber, wire, baling string, machinery parts, and farming implements where llamas can reach them, get tangled in them, or chew on them.

Take a tip from the Boy Scouts... be prepared Have a plan for every contingency. Talk to your vet or an experienced friend - like the folks at leisure Acres Llamas - who can tell you what to have in a first aid kit. You can control feelings of panic in an emergency by knowing that you have searched out good information--and are prepared with the tools you will need. It could save your llama's life. Llamas have amazed veterinarians and practiced livestock breeders with their hardiness and resistance to disease. However, since they are stoics, as well as being hardy, when a llama manifests symptoms of distress, it's usually serious. Be ready.