The Poultry Keeper

Teasal · Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2008 10:45 pm Post subject:

I had certainly not thought of eating Robbie .....to be honest, although they are tall, there is not that much body, its all legs. Although Robbie is quite round with all the grass.

I have got him as a pet/guarding my chickens, and also I have people interested in his fleece. You can get quite a bit per kilo apparantly. It is a lovely thick fleece, and such a nice colour.

Sue66 · Joined: 22 Sep 2008 Posts: 2 Location: Allier

We have been breeding and training llamas for just over 10 years now and many people would be surprised at just how versatile and strong these animals are. A normal adult llama will weigh in at approx 180kgs, and a trained adult can easily pull a small carriage with 2 x 15 stone people on board, an adult llama can easily jump a 6' fence from a standstill, again from a stand still a llama will out accelerate a horse and can perform a 90 deg turn at full pelt without falling over. Llamas cow kick and if you are in the wrong place at the wrong time a single kick can throw a large adult over 6' and break bones quite easily (I have experience of both). A stud male who wants to warn a human away from whatever it is protecting will normally raise up, tuck its legs in and thrust its chest at you, hitting you with sufficient force to deck a 16 stone man no problems at all. A llama that does not want to be lead can pull a 16 stone adult across 32 acres of land without getting tired (so long as you keep hold of the lead that is!!!).

Llamas do not normally spit at humans unless they are constantly pestered (which is why the behavior is mostly seen at zoos).

Do not let any of these facts put people off llamas, these are all rare experiences we have had over 10 years. Llamas are highly intelligent, curious, very gentle and wonderful animals.

As to why people would want to own llamas, well there are many reasons, so include; breeding, trekking, guard animals (llamas should only ever be kept in pairs unless being used as a sheep guardian), fibre production, eco friendly foraging, clearing forest undergrowth etc.

Hope this helps,

Kind regards, Mike L

Sparklepeeps · Joined: 17 Jan 2007 Posts: 1967 Location: Cheshire

jbplusfive · Joined: 17 Oct 2008 Posts: 2 Location: Norfolk

I love Llamas, have always wanted one, (realistically we do not have ther room).

However Hubby came up with another objection "No you don't - nasty bad tempered creatures, they also smell and spit".

I thought this was very unfair so immediately told him I was used to all that.

Seriously, hope all is going well with Robbie, I've just joined the site as I have two Japanese bantams and was concerned about their overwintering conditions.

Best regards, Jan

farmercoop · Posted: Sat Oct 18, 2008 2:01 pm Post subject:

goats are a bit like sheep, they could use a gaurdian too Smile

Teasal · Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2008 10:30 pm Post subject:

Robbie says to tell your hubby he certainly does not spit ....nor does he smell (although when his coat is wet with the rain, it does smell a little I have to admit!) He is not bad tempered at all. In fact, the goats boss him around, and he accepts that. They do let him go in the shelter and share their hay, and I have seen him lay in the shelter with them too.

jbplusfive · Joined: 17 Oct 2008 Posts: 2 Location: Norfolk

I'll tell him, it is lovely to think about Robbie being allowed into the goat shelter. I suppose my other half was thinking of camels, but I like them too. I'll have to find a kind sould who will swap a Llama for a Hubby. I'm a veggy and himself insists on the odd TBone steak now and then. Robbie sounds a lot more companionable.

There are some Llama herds locally here in Nofolk and someone brings their Pygmy Goats to local fetes and shows. I'm working on that one, we may have room for a pair of those.

farmercoop · Posted: Sun Oct 26, 2008 11:36 am Post subject:

i would like more pics

Teasal · Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2008 11:19 pm Post subject:

Robbie has made himself well at home with the goats. He shares their hay rack, and every night he goes in and lays across the doorway - blocking the goats access point to get out. I think he is fed up with all the wet weather. Come Sunday he will have another companion, that goat shelter will be getting full. Bertie the shetland sheep will be arriving.

JC · Joined: 24 Mar 2008 Posts: 1116 Location: Sussex

Great Llama Smile

come any closer to finding him a mate yet? If i had the land i would get a couple purely for pets and grazers and to protect my chickens!

Teasal · Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2008 11:40 pm Post subject:

I have enquired about a couple of ladies, but the prices were very high. I wish I could find one looking for a home for life, at a reasonable price.

The goat shelter is right next to the chicken houses, so Robbie the guard llama is in the ideal spot. I have to say he is very vigilant, and any noise or ususual activity in the field is investigated ........

will try and get some more pics of Robbie - he has grown in the 6 months we have had him.

farmercoop · Posted: Sat Nov 01, 2008 12:58 am Post subject:

Oo please do yes! would love to see more pics, he is gourjous and i dont mind looking at pics, beats college work anyway i suppose, especially on nights like this, where i cant sleep!