I just adopted Sid the llama! I put Sid in a fenced area behind the barn (I don't think he's ever been in a barn -- that was scary to him) and fed him. He's very thin, so I fed him llama pellets and hay. He went to town on the pellets and ate some of the hay. The woman who owned him didn't give him anything other than forage and what hay he could pick off the horse hay that was just out of reach. She tied him up because he took excursions off her land, climbing over the rocks to get away and then coming back after a few days of adventure. I want to worm him, so I'll be calling my vet this week to find out dosages. He's trained as a pack llama. It's obvious by walking him. He matches your pace perfectly and knows commands. He's shy around humans though. When I first met him, I couldn't touch him. Within 20 minutes, I had him let me run my hands on his neck, back and rump. I can pick up his front feet. Back feet, I have to work on. He hasn''t spit at me yet, but gives me conflicted signals when I approach. He lays back his ears when I touch him occasionally, but then when I continue to talk to him and touch him, his ears go back up. I think he's just not used to people. I was told by the woman who adopted him who gave him to me that the pack guy was "a big tough dude" who was loud and hard with commands. He didn't touch the llama at all except to pack. Some minor problems: a bit down in the pasterns, but proper nutrition and walks should strengthen those. He's undershot like nobody's business. He won't let me look at his teeth yet. I'll be taking him for walks so he gets used to me and probably do some clicker training to get him comfortable with me handling him. I'm also going to be looking for a second pack llama for a buddy for him, but it might take a couple of weeks. He's a gelding, thankfully, so think I might be able to find something without having that female/male issue thing. I just walked him and he did really well.
Good luck with him! He looks like he could be quite handsome. I have 2 alpacas I'm working with...stubborn fellas. There are a few decent books out there about raising camelids...he'll need minerals...of which I don't think most feed stores carry. I ordered mine from stillwater minerals. Love the pics!
He looks really nice. I know nothing about them but I was wonderig; do you 'brush' a llama or shear it like a sheep?
He is cute! I started a Llama thread several weeks ago too! I don't have one yet, but I see them available for adoption here constantly (usually for free). I don't know much about Llamas, but he does definitely look thin. Good luck with him. Were you hoping to use him as a guard?
Quote:Nah. I'm planning to use him for packing. I think he was just allowed to forage. Which reminds me. I have to give him some salt. At least I have a brick around here somewhere.
I loved my llamas. If I could have back any of my animals from 10 years ago, it would be the llamas. Sweet cob was their favorite treat. Congratulations on you new family member.
