Llamas come in many
sizes, colors, fiber lengths and prices. ...Looking at llamas and picking
the perfect llamas for you.
Thruout our
website we will refer to llamas even though many of the concepts and
information contained are true for both llamas and alpacas. The word lama is
not a spelling error and is commonly used when refering to both llamas and
alpacas. The animals are very closely related and can even cross breed
with viable youngsters as a result. Llamas are larger so better suited
as a working companion. Alpacas as a whole, usually have finer more
consistant fiber.
As with any animal you will want to be sure you are buying a healthy,
sound animal and the breeder will help you get started in your new venture.
Find a breeder with which you are comfortable and whose stock seems best to
meet your objectives.
If you are looking for a companion animal that would be used for
packing
or pulling carts you may prefer an animal with shorter fiber for easier
maintenance, but should be a robust (not fat) llama. If you are looking for
fiber production and are interested in spinning or felting then of course
larger size is not necessary but the quality of the fiber would be your
first concern.
Are you interested in a trained llama or would you like to train your
own? Remember a llama should not carry any weight to speak of until they are
at least two years of age. If you want to pack in the near future you may
want to buy an older llama. Llamas are not fully mature until they are three
or four years of age.
If we can be of any service to you in your research please do not
hesitate to give us a call. We love to talk llama. Hmmmmmmmm. 
Llamas are intelligent, beautiful and have a serene dignity. Llamas are
curious but aloof and regal, they have a delightful habit of coming close to
sniff you. But despite your natural temptation to hug and cuddle them, they
prefer not to be petted except on their necks and backs. They are
independent, quiet, clean, very gentle, easy to train, and are responsive
and adaptable to most situations.
They do not bark, bite, chew or dig. Their reputation for spitting is
highly exaggerated and usually seen only in situations where llamas have
been kept by themselves, mishandled or abused. Spitting at people is rare in
most situations.
Llamas come in many colors, sizes and price ranges. There is a llama to
fit every budget and interest level. Llamas are
fun!

General Information
Heritage:
Llamas are native to the mountains of South America and have been
their domesticated beast of burden for over 6,000 years. They have been very
selectively bred for gentle dispositions and fine wool. Llamas are one of
four species of South American camelids. Llamas and alpacas are
domesticated, while vicunas and guanacos are still found in the wild.
Characteristics:
Maturing by about 4 years of age, an adult llama weighs between 250-450
lbs., stand 5 to 6 feet tall, and can be expected to live 20-30 years. Their
soft, leathery padded foot makes them environmentally desirable and
remarkably sure-footed with very minimal impact on any terrain. For this
reason, llamas are permitted in virtually all state and national parks and
forests, where their hardiness, sure footedness and common sense makes them
an excellent pack animal and trail companion. They can carry 50 to 100
pounds for long distances. Their gentle, trusting nature and clean habits
make them excellent "PR" animals for school and nursing home visits and
other public appearances. They tend to remain calm and unruffled in most
situations.
Llamas are highly social animals, and although they will interact with
horses, goats, and other livestock, they need the companionship of another
llama, and should never be kept singly.
They have discreet bathroom habits and use communal dung piles which are
odorless and easy to clean up for use a fertilizer or soil amendment.
Females are induced ovulators and receptive to breeding at any time...you
don’t have to guess when they’re in "heat". Maidens are usually bred between
16 and 24 months and deliver a 22-30 lb. baby, or cria, in about 350 days.
Llama babies, "crias" , begin walking within an hour and should nurse in
about two hours. The placenta is usually passed within four hours. Females
are normally rebred in two to four weeks after giving birth.
Feeding
With their highly efficient three-chambered stomach, llamas cost less to
feed and maintain than the family dog, and approximately 10% the cost of
maintaining a horse.
They browse on many types of forage, which reduces the need for hay, and
are given free-choice access to salt and mineral supplementation and fresh
water.
An acre of moderate-producing pasture can easily support 3-5 llamas. If
feeding hay, one ton will feed one adult for about a year. put another way,
it will take an adult llama about three weeks to eat a bale of hay.
Maintenance:
Fencing and shelter requirements are minimal. The normal five foot wire
fence used for other livestock is quite adequate. Shelter can be as simple
as a three-sided shed to offer protection from wind, rain and sun.
Llamas are a very hardy animal, however, a regular annual preventative
inoculation program is recommended to keep them in good health. A regular
deworming program takes care of internal parasites. There are many good
veterinarians in most areas familiar with llamas and their needs.
Depending upon the terrain on which they are kept toenails may have to be
trimmed once or twice a year, a job usually done with nippers.
Transportation: Llamas are easy to load and transport. Many
llamas have traveled in a minivan, RV, boat, plane or even a station
wagon!
Tax
Advantages There are many tax advantages associated with llama
breeding as a business, including the ability to claim as legitimate
deductions, travel expenses to conferences, sales and shows, cost of feed,
insurance, auto and truck expenses, taxes, entertainment, labor, interest on
business loans, utilities, equipment and property repairs, etc. Llamas may
be capitalized and depreciated, as can other capitol expenditures such as
fencing and machinery. (Please check with your tax advisor for specifics and
read IRS tax Publication #225 "Farmer’s Tax Guide".)
More importantly, llamas are by far the safest and easiest to care for of
any domestic livestock, and are a unique lifestyle investment the whole
family will enjoy.


Llamas with Style!