The Llama Stables

The stables have been designed by us specifically with the safe and comfortable housing and handling of llamas in mind. We decided at an early stage to build each of the stables 15' x 15' so that each group of llamas has enough room to move around when kept inside together. We have also made sure that each stable has lots of natural light and ventilation whilst at the same time the 6' overhang ensures that rain cannot enter through the door or window openings. All electrical wiring and lighting is IP65 rated and positioned so that it is impossible for the llamas to reach.

The stables have been constructed using 8" concrete blocks and will be rendered to provide weatherproofing and an aesthetic look which does not detract from the construction and finish of the house (also a requirement for planning permission). The insides of the stables will be finished with a smooth waterproof render which will aid in keeping the walls clean using non harmful cleaning agents and allow for jet washing. Where the render meets the floor will be curved so as to prevent corners where dirt and thus unwanted bacteria can build up.

Each of the stables has 2 x 2mtr clear roof panels to allow light into the stables. However, each of these panels will be fitted with a sliding cover which can be pulled over in summer to provide shade and and keep the stable cool.

We considered installing automatic water feeders in each stable but decided against this because during winter the temperatures can get as low as -24 degs and it would then be necessary to install individual heating elements in each stable which we consider to be a potential risk. Auto water feeders still need cleaning out and can become blocked or malfunction. We decided to retain rubber water buts which we fill using a hose, these are far safer and fit with our policy of filling with fresh water once or twice daily. emptying and scrubbing clean every 2 days, and allows us to add selenium or other soluble minerals to the water as required (not possible with a wall mounted auto feeder). Also, when a female is in the stable and giving birth, we remove the water butt until the cria is standing steadily (to prevent the possibility of the cria stumbling and ending up head first in the water butt).

* One for the storage of hard feed which will be kept in metal storage bins, medications and syringes which will be stored in a small fridge, and all of the equipment such as halters, leads, packs, brushes, toe clippers etc.

The indoor training area which is essential for ensuring that we can continue to train our llamas regardless of weather conditions and can be divided into two sections to act as additional stables if required or they can serve as a large indoor birthing area. The indoor training area will also have fold away sections which can be used to create a small 6' x 6' or 6' x 4' handling pen which we will not only use for halter training but also can act as a confinement area if necessary for both us or the vet to administer medication.

The installation of wireless CCTV equipment will not only provide a security function but will also allow us to monitor females that are due to give birth when they housed in the stables due to inclement weather conditions and they can also be used to provide feedback to both trainer and trainees when the indoor training stables are being used.

We will continue to update this page as we progress with the building of the stables and the installation of electrics, plumbing and ancillary equipment.

Below are pictures of the ground work for the stables. These will be updated as build work progresses.

Due to the lengths of wood required for constructing the roof, we now have a 3 week delay before roofing starts. The plan is for 7 mtr beams (10 x 220) to sit on each of the dividing walls, each of these beams will be fixed into the walls using 20mm bars and each of the bars will be concreted into the walls to a depth of 70cms. Then 4.5mtr lengths will be run between each of the beams onto which the Profile 6 fibre-cement roofing will be fixed. All the beams running along supporting walls will also be strapped and screwed into the concrete blocks to a length of 1 mtr. So a lot of roofing, but once in place it will be able to withstand the uplift that will be generated from the high winds during the storms, and weight of snow during winter. In overall build costs, the roof is second only to the cost of the concrete base.

Well, the good news is that the roof structure has been going up slowly but surely. The biggest problem has been the weather constantly changing and preventing work from proceeding at the pace we would like. The biggest hurdle has now been overcome when Guy and Simon (friends of ours) came over and we managed to get most of the large heavy rafters up in one day. This was achieved in far from ideal conditions as we had a very sever frost overnight and the stables floor area and scaffolding were covered in thick ice. Since the rafters went up I have managed to get all of the complex corner cuts done for where the two roof meet. We are now waiting for 2 more lengths of valley gutter to arrive and for a break in the weather (it is snowing very heavily at the moment) so that the final set of rafters can go up, then we can actually start putting on the roof panels. Once the panels are in place work can continue with the windows and doors being done regardless of weather.

We have decided that once the stables have been finished we will publish the costs involved for their construction with a breakdown of the materials, just in case anyone else may be interested in building similar stables. One thing that readers will need to bear in mind is that a lot of items which are readily available in the UK are not available in France and many UK off the shelf items are only available by special order here.

Well it has been some time since we update the site and the main reason is that the adverse and often changing winter weather caused numerous delays. However, regardless, we continued as best we could under the circumstances and we now have a large section of the roof completed which covered 3 of the stables. As we have females that are due to give birth in February, we decided to switch to putting up the doors and windows for 3 of the stables and this would at least allow us to get the llamas inside and out of the snow and bitterly cold weather we have been experiencing. As it was we successfully managed this just before a second bout of snow descended on us yesterday (30th Jan 2010). The roofing has been hard work and at times, mainly due to the scaffolding and beams being covered in thick ice, extremely precarious work. We have even continued work on the roof during some quite heavy snow falls and in temperatures of -9 degs and have so far managed to complete the roof for one stable per day. It has all been worth it to see the llamas all snug and warm in their new stables. We should have a 5 day break in the weather shortly, this will allow us to get the roof completed on the training area and that will just leave the complicated bit to do for the corers where they join the valley gutter.

After a short break due to Genny giving birth to a lovely male cria on 14th February 2010, followed by yet more rain and snow, on 19th Feb the last of the roof panels went on. We spent the 20th clearing up and moving all the hay, straw and hard feed into the now covered area. Next big challenge is going to be the guttering and drainage. Further updates soon.

I suddenly realised that I had not updated the photos of the stables and so here is the latest picture. As you can see we now have a stone driveway down which ensures that we do not create a mud pit when using the tractor or quad during winter.

I have yet to finish the down pipes for the guttering but this will be done once I have built the uprights round the outside of the stables. Once finished the uprights and gates will enable us to control the movement of the llamas

between the fields and the stables very easily and with just 2 people we should be able to get all the llamas inside within 10 minutes. Simples.

Sue and I spent the last couple of weeks taking advantage of the good weather we have been having during what has been an extremely mild November , to finish off the stables and to put in a lean-to at the end.

Copyright © 2010 BorderLlamas (The content of this web site may not be copied or reproduced without the express permission of the owner).

Last modified: Dezember, 2011 .