Anyone else have llamas?!

[kat2290]

I know it's not horsey but there is next to no 'llama community' in this country so thought I would pester you guys to see if there are any closet llama owners out there! Hehe

I have one, can't post a pic as I'm on my phone but you can see a pic of her on my profile. She is so sweet, she has such a gentle nature I adore her and she does a great job of keeping my chooks safe! We did have two but sadly lost the other last year, so she know has our minis keeping her company!
Please tell me I'm not the only one?!!...

 

[SHCC]

I'd love a llama. Three randomly appeared in a field next to my yard yesterday, I thought I was seeing things!
YO's shire mare I was working wasn't too convinced about them though

 

[Fairytale]

My friend/neighbour has three Alpacas.....does that count?

 

[kat2290]

Pffft...I suppose... :d

 

[kat2290]

That is meant to be lol

 

[Welsh]

Cute! Are the horses scared of Llamas/Alpacas? Mine are petrified of donkeys (and reindeer)

 

[kat2290]

My minis aren't, they met each other over a fence and then after a few days they were put in the field together. Initially they just ignored each other but gradually they have formed more of a bond and now they are a real little clan! I don't think the llama really understand what the ponies are though lol she just likes the company!

 

[WelshD]

My friend has a couple and they are lovely. I've found the Accidental Smallholder forum useful on queries on unusual animals if you ever get in to trouble

I'd like a couple but my husband has drawn a line under 'exotic' pets after we had a 5ft tall rhea killed by a fox

 

[mjcssjw2]

i work with them part time, does that count? if one ok on its own. would have thought you would have been better with 2

 

[kat2290]

Thanks welshD, I've used the AS forum before but never for anything llama related I don't think - usually I just google whatever it is and 99% of the results are usually from America.

Mjcssjw2 - I did start off with two but unfortunately the other had to be pts last year, she was the dominant of the two and actually ever since she died the other one has been much happier. I had put her up for sale initially as I was worried she would pine but she surprised us all by being perfectly happy by herself. Plus she isn't totally by herself as she has the minis to entertain her

 

[Montyforever]

There were 3 alpacas where I used to work, funny things! Used to pop up behind the hedge and terrify the horses. Can't say they did the job of looking after the chickens that well though .. The geese on the other hand were good at chasing off the foxes

 

[Spring Feather]

A friend of mine has llamas and she occasionally breeds them. The babies are cute, the older ones are nice once you know them but can be intimidating if you don't. She breeds horses so she keeps the llamas as protection for the foals from wolves and bears. I've seen them run a coyote off her property and it was impressive. Over here we see lots of them especially on sheep farms as they're so good at guarding their stock.

 

[muddygreymare]

I love them! I want an Alpaca or two at some point, might just have to come steal your llama temporarily

 

[Suelin]

I love llamas and have always wanted a couple but sadly was always too full up with other beasties to take on another species. I have always thought they are charming creatures. Are they easy to keep? What are their requirements for coats/feet/wormers/diet etc?

 

[PoppyAnderson]

I recently kept my horse at a place in Cheshire who have llamas. My horse was petrified of them and was a prat to handle because she was so scared.

 

[adamntitch]

my friend has 4 out near lanark they scare me abit with there grumpy faces lol

 

[Equinus]

No, but there is a bridle path which goes through the local zoo and I used to ride my mare down there occasionally. Ellies, jackals no problem, zebra scary...they sound funny and look odd... and guanaco, well, there was one which used to get over excited and bounce up and down, terrifying! She never got used to it, bless her. I quite like them, and if ever we get our own land would like a couple of llama or alpaca, (good wool!) for guarding chooks. Don't think our boy would mind once he got used.

 

[kat2290]

Can't believe there still isn't anybody who actually has one, I'm shocked!!
Care wise they are so simple! They don't need any extra feed just plenty of grass and they love having access to bushes and trees to nibble away at - the only thing they need really is hay during the winter or if the grass is particularly poor. Feet - you need to keep and eye on them as they do need trimming occasionally, having said that we have a particularly rocky area within our field and these seems to keep a good job of keeping them down. Worming wise they supposedly have a very good natural resistance to worms, the people we bought them off had about 20 acres which they rotated them on throughout the year so they never wormed them. As I only have one field they have been wormed since I got them. I can't speak for all llamas but mine is extremely respectful of boundaries, she has never even attempted to jump any of the fences, even the parts which are not in the best condition and she could pretty much hop over. I can even leave the gate to field open while I go in and out with the barrow and she doesn't try to make a run for it.
The only downside to them is if they haven't been halter trained then worming, trimming feet etc is pretty difficult and requires a catching pen, hurdles and quite a few people to help!
They are real characters though

 

[kat2290]

Sorry for the spelling mistakes, on phone!

 

[Crugeran Celt]

A friend of mine has one with her horses and they don't mind him at all. I don't like him very much and he feels the same about me!

 

[B_2_B]

We have one, Melvin

He's only with us because he beats up other llamas and would kill them He lives happily with the sheep, 2 emus, 2 ponies (who don't mind him at all) and sometimes 3 cows
He's not very human friendly but he isn't agressive and will eat his breakfast while you hold it up for him out the way of the sheep

 

[jhoward]

a friend has 13 of them shes taught hers tricks and a couple of them jump decent heights too ..

 

[kat2290]

Yey finally another owner! He looks lovely, very clean!!

Jhoward - her name isn't Terri by any chance?

 

[jhoward]

no elaine