Mountain Jam Llamas

Last night I was asked, "Llamas are like emus, right?"  "Nope, way off...they don't come from eggs."  Believe it or not, that wasn't the first time I was asked that question.  People seem to be naturally curious about llamas, and many have false pre-conceived notions.  Besides "What's the difference between a llama and an alpaca", and "Do they spit?",  I am often asked, "Why llamas?", and "What do you do with them?", when people learn that I raise, show, and breed these beautiful, unique animals. 

 Although llamas are highly versatile, and have many capabilities, my first inkling is to say that they are a great prescription for stress relief.  They make wonderful pets or companion animals.  My favorite times of the day are spent with my llamas.  Before going to work I wake to find them all lined up, staring at the windows, and waiting for me to come out.  I accomplish the morning feeding routine with greetings from all and plenty of hugs and kisses.  After work I often hang out by the girls' barn, marveling at the social dynamics of the herd.  Everyone is an individual and everyone has a role.  In the evening Ted and I enjoy watching them at play.  At dusk the crias (baby llamas) start pronking.  Sometimes the whole herd joins in.  What a sight!  Baby llamas, old lady llamas, pregnant llamas, all bouncing around like Pepe Le Pew!

Historically, llamas have been versatile working animals.  For thousands of years llamas have been used as pack animals by the people of the Andes.  They carted children and belongings, and their fiber was woven into clothing and blankets.

In the United States llamas are also regarded as valuable working animals.  Trekking operations are popular with hikers across the country, but particularly in the Rocky Mountains.  Hikers have spanned the Continental Divide with their llamas carrying their toddlers and gear.  Llamas are sure-footed on rough terrain, while having a low impact on the environment because of their padded feet.  Llamas are also great livestock guardians.  They are said to be even more effective at guarding than dogs that are bred for that purpose.  Llamas typically guard sheep and alpacas, but can also protect goats, cattle, and poultry.  In addition to hiking and guarding, llamas can be trained to drive carts or even caddy golf.  Llamas are willing and eager to please their humans.

Llamas are calm, gentle, and great with kids.  Their pleasant nature and easy management makes them great to use for 4-H projects.  Llamas are often used for therapy animals, visiting  hospitals and nursing homes.  Take them to a parade or a child's birthday party, and they are bound to be a hit!

Llamas are good with other animals.  That may sound contradictory since they are excellent guard animals, but they are intelligent animals and know the difference between a predator and the family pets. One of our females, Sheilo, has adopted one of our chickens as "her" pet.  The chicken sits in the hay rack and Sheilo gently lays her head on the top of the hen's back.  Llamas form deep bonds with other animals, especially horses.  Many horse owners will keep a llama as a companion for their horse.  Since they are efiicient eaters, llamas are much less costly to feed than an additional horse.  Five or six llamas can be fed at the cost of one horse.

Llamas subsidize their keep by producing tremendous fiber.  Llamas must be shorn yearly to keep them cool during hot weather.  They produce exquisite fiber which can be sold to hand-spinners, sent to a mill to be processed into yarn for weaving, knitting, and crocheting, or made into rugs.  Raw fleece can also be felted to create purses, hats, and wall hangings.  Llama fiber is hypoallergenic, does not pill, can be easily blended or dyed, and is much warmer than sheep's wool.  Another by-product that llamas create is, of course, manure.  Llama beans are pelleted, like deer, and are virtually odor-free.  The manure is easy to collect because llamas have communal dung areas.  The nitrogen-rich manure can be applied directly to plants because it will not burn young plants.

Llamas are intelligent, curious, dignified, and beautiful animals.  Their pleasant dispositions make them great companions and agreeable work animals.  They are productive and they are fun!  Oh, and did I mention, they do a fabulous job of mowing the grass.

Llamas can be trained to drive carts.  Pictured is Clyde Humphrey of Westwind Llamas.

Touch of Grey