Why llama farm

Check with your area livestock veterinarian to vaccinate your llamas and alpacas against rabies, tetanus and other common diseases. He regularly has a vet provide shots and oral medication to deworm his llamas, which provide protection against the meningeal worm. You do not need to be homesteading in the Andes for llamas to be a great addition to your livestock. With some care and consideration, these camelids might find a comfortable home on your homestead.

Sam Schipani loves pollinators, fresh herbs, and learning how to live more sustainably in small spaces. How to choose sustainable fabrics. Is it possible to have carbon neutral — or even carbon negative — beef? Mealworms can safely eat toxin-laden polysytrene. Poultry can be good pets, but skip the indoor chickens. My cats are adventure cats. Thank you Sam for this article. Are you going to continue to follow up with articles quarterly about the livestock you write about?

There is so much involved at any level of raising and for what, no matter what you are breeding. I think the subject of culling needs to be addressed in all aspects of raising livestock. You have to cull to breed when you have a large operation. We will be writing more stories about livestock, focusing on different aspects of selecting, raising, growing, etc. And we always welcome story ideas! Leave A Reply Cancel reply. Sign me up for the newsletter!

By Sam Schipani Last updated Feb 25, Photo by Gabor Degre Hailing originally from the South American Andes, llamas and alpacas may seem like exotic additions to a homestead or small farm.

Sam Schipani. Prev post 8 easy ways to repurpose glass bottles. Next post How to choose sustainable fabrics. You might also like More from author. Rusty Metal Farm. Prev Next. Registry of alpaca Lama pacos breeds. Membership organization provides genealogical registry system, reports and research services for owners of subspecies of the Lama, including llama Lama glama , guanaco Lama guanicoe , vicuna Lama vicugna and crossbreeds.

Animal Welfare Information Center. Provides information on the Camelidae family and their characteristics, production, use and products. An official website of the United States government. Here's how you know. Llamas and Alpacas. In the United States, llama ranchers often use llamas for the same reasons, to carry heavy packs around farm or ranch areas. Some enterprising wilderness enthusiasts have initiated successful outdoor adventure companies that feature pack trips with llamas.

For people who raise sheep , llamas are excellent guardians. They keep coyotes and other sheep-hungry dogs at bay. Llamas have sharp eyes and ears and are quite intelligent.

They tend to spot a troublesome meddler before people do and will often charge a predator in groups. Because they're naturally curious, llamas stare at unusual things. This trait not only alerts people to interlopers, it also can alert someone that someone else is in trouble.

Seasoned llama ranchers know to follow a llama's long gaze. Alpacas are not good at protection. Shepherds likely would not keep alpacas around flocks of sheep. Because llamas are built to survive harsh mountain weather, their fur is coarse and fibrous. Alpaca fur is similar but softer, which is why people raise alpacas for wool more than llamas.