All about Llamas
Llamas
are Camelids (i.e. part of the same family as Camels). They
originate from Central America and are
traditionally pack animals. In the UK and France they are normally
used for trekking, as
companion animals, for their fibre, for
natural land management or simply for
pleasure.
Llamas can also be reared as Guard Llamas to provide protection for flocks of
sheep or goats. Guard Llamas quickly form a lasting bond with the flock
and will usually deter any attacks by foxes or other small predators.
Llamas
are herd animals and should never be kept in isolation. They will live
quite happily with other animals and contrary to some
belief they will happily graze and share a field with horses (in fact they can
greatly help reduce the worm count in pastures grazed by horses).
Average
stocking rates are 4-5 llamas/acre (0.5ha) or 6-8 alpacas/acre (0.5ha).
Although they are very hardy animals and can withstand
extremes of temperature, they should be provided with shelter in the form of an
open field shelter.
The
llama is the largest of the South American Camelids, and can
weigh up to 400lbs (180kg) and stand approximately 4ft at the
shoulder and over 6ft at head height. They are strong, intelligent, hardy animals
with a gentle temperament and very inquisitive nature.
These elegant animals, with their distinctive "banana" shaped ears, are found in
a variety of colours from solid white to black and with varying shades and mixes
of brown and grey. The llama has a double coat, an outer coat of coarse ‘guard
hair’ and an undercoat of soft fine down, this undercoat is
much sought after by hand spinners. The fibre is used for making many
kinds of garments, guard hairs can be used for making wall-hangings, rugs etc.
Llamas are gentle by nature and have an elegant, exotic quality. They are
fascinating to watch and offer considerable visual pleasure whether grazing in
open park land or in a paddock.
They
quickly learn to wear a halter and to be led. Llamas can in certain
circumstances also be taught to pull a
small cart. They will happily carry a pack, offering the long distance walker or the
picnicking family both a fun companion and a willing helper!
Llamas have character
One thing that we
have found since keeping llamas is that just like people, Llamas have their own
personalities. We quickly found that they
can be very affectionate with each other
and their young. We have
watched as young Kishba
(our first cria born on the farm) played and rolled around with the
other Llamas, teasing them all mercilessly
until they played with her. During the summer evenings as the sun sets over the
hills, they would nudge and brush against her
as though they wanted her to know she was safe.
Our
Llamas have brought us so much pleasure that we decided to continue breeding
them when we moved to France from Wales 4 years ago and again after we decided
not to move from France to Spain a few months ago. Their gentle and deeply
inquisitive nature provides us with hours of enjoyment as they follow us around the
paddocks as we work, always watching, always alert. The local French
farmers are still a bit bemused and wonder why we stock sheep with long legs and
necks, they are curious as to why they are not sold for meat!!! They are also
interested as to why we never seem to have any fox's around our fields!!! .
Member of The
British Llama Society (BLS)
We have signed and
adhere to the B.L.S. Code of Conduct for the Sale of Camelids.
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