Llamas v.s alpacas?

[DeannaMari]

I was wondering if anybody had experience with either of these, and what you would suggest? I was considering getting one (or two if they do better in groups) to keep around so that maybe it will be a deterrent for predators of my chickens. At least some of the smaller ones, like skunks and raccoons.

Also have you guys ever used them for this? Kept them around the farm so that they your chickens won't get attacked? Does it work? I know farmers keep them with sheep to ward off the coyotes.

 

[chooks4life]

People do use them in Australia for foxes as well as smaller predators but generally speaking livestock guardian dogs are more commonly used for poultry than camelids etc. Camelids are more likely to bond with similar size herbivores than with much smaller birds. They should still do the job as they are bent against predators that threaten their own young, but unlike dogs they may not react to some other threats which can kill the poultry but pose no threat to their own young. So they should chase foxes off but might pay no mind to a raptor or other small predator decimating your flock.

Two is a better bet as they are social and do better in groups. Some of them will guard your animals against you too though, so it would pay to ask the seller if they're okay with humans handling or interacting with their charges.

Some people cannot get into the paddock with their own LGDs either, they will rip even the owner to shreds. They have to lure the dogs/alpacas/whatever away with food and restrain them before they go do the normal caretaking of their flocks like drenching etc. A lot depends on the training the animal has received as well as a few other factors like breeding. Suri are supposed to be just as vulnerable to dogs etc as sheep are, according to some, but others say they will defend. Of course two animals have a better chance than one against one or more foxes or dogs, but some will not even defend your animals. A lot depends on the animal in question. Some will even bully or kill the animals they're supposed to be defending.

Livestock Guardian animals are known to attack their owners sometimes and this can change without warning, for example you may have a llama/whatever which has never shown you aggression, but if one of your animals gets stuck in the fence or whatever and you go to help it and it's carrying on like you're killing it, the LGA may see this as you attacking one of the animals it has bonded to, and hence may attack you in the animal's defense.

It would pay to get one that's already established itself as a proven-reliable flock guardian, needing no training, familiar with and friendly with or at least tolerant of humans.

Best wishes with your search, I'm in the same boat as you there.

 

[DeannaMari]

People do use them in Australia for foxes as well as smaller predators but generally speaking livestock guardian dogs are more commonly used for poultry than camelids etc. Camelids are more likely to bond with similar size herbivores than with much smaller birds. They should still do the job as they are bent against predators that threaten their own young, but unlike dogs they may not react to some other threats which can kill the poultry but pose no threat to their own young. So they should chase foxes off but might pay no mind to a raptor or other small predator decimating your flock.

Two is a better bet as they are social and do better in groups. Some of them will guard your animals against you too though, so it would pay to ask the seller if they're okay with humans handling or interacting with their charges.

Some people cannot get into the paddock with their own LGDs either, they will rip even the owner to shreds. They have to lure the dogs/alpacas/whatever away with food and restrain them before they go do the normal caretaking of their flocks like drenching etc. A lot depends on the training the animal has received as well as a few other factors like breeding. Suri are supposed to be just as vulnerable to dogs etc as sheep are, according to some, but others say they will defend. Of course two animals have a better chance than one against one or more foxes or dogs, but some will not even defend your animals. A lot depends on the animal in question. Some will even bully or kill the animals they're supposed to be defending.

Livestock Guardian animals are known to attack their owners sometimes and this can change without warning, for example you may have a llama/whatever which has never shown you aggression, but if one of your animals gets stuck in the fence or whatever and you go to help it and it's carrying on like you're killing it, the LGA may see this as you attacking one of the animals it has bonded to, and hence may attack you in the animal's defense.

It would pay to get one that's already established itself as a proven-reliable flock guardian, needing no training, familiar with and friendly with or at least tolerant of humans.

Best wishes with your search, I'm in the same boat as you there.

Wow thanks that was super helpful! H and I are still trying to decide when we would want to get one. We're also considering maybe emus, but it really depends. Maybe emus would be more willing to go after a skunk or something as well, since an skunk could eat their eggs/kill their young.

 

[Puddin Fluff]

Llamas are simply territorial. They don't consider small animals (racoons, skunk, et) a threat. They are heard animals so you do need at least two or other four legged herd animals for them to be with. If you get them from a good breeder they should be able to let yo know if they are a good guardian


Alpacas are too .small.
People use llama to guard Alpacas.

 

[WallabyOfChaos]

I don't think a llama will actively guard poultry. A really, really cranky one may keep critters big and small away during the day, but not because it wants to protect your birds. We keep one female llama with each flock of sheep and it seems the whole basis for their guarding is their bond with the sheep. The llamas stay with the sheep, graze with the sheep, and bed down at night with the sheep. They are around each other 24/7. I highly doubt a llama will regard poultry the same as they would other livestock like sheep, goats, and cattle.

 

[barnflock]

Hi All,

I'm so excited to see I can help with this question. I have both alpacas and chickens and they work well together.

I've raised alpacas for many years now but a couple years ago my young son wanted to raise chickens. We sectioned off a corner of the barn by building a 2x4 frame/door and made the wall out of chicken wire. For the winter we staple up some plastic to keep warmth in and drafts out. It is nice and toasty even on sub zero days! We did this to keep out winter chills, keep the alpacas out of the chickens grain on days they have to stay indoors and also to make it a little more difficult in case we had a brave predator. The alpacas wouldn't be happy about something in their barn and most critters don't bother them in their barn. If something scared the alpacas, I would hear them alarming and see them running around the pen. So far, nothing. Life has been peaceful and I'm very happy for that.

I let the chickens free range all day. We have several predators and nuisance birds. My only problem has been the magpie's stealing eggs! Just bought a couple plastic owls for that. So far, the presence of the alpacas has made everything look for food somewhere else, but I wouldn't expect the alpacas to defend the chickens. At my friends barn, her chickens even roost on the alpacas backs. I wouldn't worry about an alpaca hurting you. I've worked with alpacas for years and never had one be aggressive towards me. There are some conditions in which an alpaca could be "berserk" but you would be able to tell that before you brought one home to your property. You don't want any animal on your property you can't handle. I like the alpacas over lamas as they are much smaller - my size. And I love to spin/felt their fiber. I love that the alpacas and chickens are such a good match, but I only expect the alpacas to make predators think twice, not defend or bond with the chickens. I have heard that lamas will do that but they have a little different personality than the alpaca and people with alpacas sometimes have lamas to defend the alpacas.

If you want to look into that further, I would look for local groups of people who raise alpacas ,lamas or chickens and then find one that also has the other. They can help you.

 

[PacasNChicks]

I own alpacas and chickens... The alpacas have an alarm they make when there is anything unfamiliar to them or if they sense danger. I have only seen one coyote come near my property in a year( knock on wood)