If you are fortunate to find a llama that is already with stock, you can observe his behavior. Also, avoid a llama that is over protective of his food or will not allow his manure pile to be cleaned. Llamas can certainly be curious about you, but the best guardians are more independent or aloof. Do not buy a llama that tries to chest-butt you, bothers your feet, or forces you to go around him rather than giving ground. Do not buy a llama that screams or spits at humans, paces his fence line, or does not allow people to enter his pen. You are looking for an even-natured individual. Also, you should confirm that his fighting teeth have been removed. When buying a gelded male, make sure he was neutered at least 90 days before your purchase. If a llama was used for breeding, even gelding does not eliminate this threat to your livestock. Not only can an intact male challenge your authority, he will most likely attempt to breed your livestock, causing serious injury or death. Single llamas guard better than multiple llamas, since they will bond with their stock rather than each other.ĭo not buy an intact male llama or a male that was used for breeding before gelding. Llamas have a lifespan of 20 to 25 years. A retired breeding female cannot only be very attentive, but is often available for a reasonable price. Some owners report than a female llama can be more nurturing, especially if she has been used for breeding. Male llamas weigh 300 pounds or more and stand 40 to 44 inches tall at the withers. Gelded males are used more frequently because they are larger and less expensive. Female or Male?Įither females or gelded males can work as guardians. Over indulging a young llama and failing to set behavioral limits often results in a grown llama that views humans as competitors, resulting in a large animal that exhibits inappropriate and possibly dangerous behavior towards peoples. Lacking experience with other llamas and receiving too much human attention can cause the llama to bond with humans rather than other llamas. This allows the llama to develop appropriate llama behaviors and develop mature territorial instincts. It is very important that a llama spends the first year and a half to two years in the company of other llamas and with normal mothering. In addition, llamas should not be weaned until 6 months of age. It is important not to buy a very young llama, or one that was bottle-fed, or brought up alone. If possible, ask the breeder if you can bring a strange dog into the llama’s line of sight or near his pasture to evaluate his response to canines. Ask the breeder to let you catch the llama, since some llamas are very difficult to catch and halter. Older llamas have also learned to accept the regular handling that goes along with catching and haltering, toenail trimming, vetting, and possibly shearing. Most importantly, buying an adult allows you to evaluate his behavior more accurately than a younger llama. Keeping these traits in mind, what should you be looking for in a good potential guard llama? What to Look Forįirst, you want an adult llama not younger than 18 to 24 months in age. Weight is directly linked to age and maturity. Researchers have determined the three most important llama traits that correlate with successful livestock guarding are alertness, leadership and weight. If you considering a llama as a guardian, it may be helpful to review how guard llamas work and the pros and cons of using them as guardians. I’ve written two previous posts on the use of guard llamas.
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