Llama Woes
Back when I was first investigating sheep, I knew that in addition I would need something to protect them. There have always been coyotes here. So I started exploring the different breeds of dogs known for this kind of work. I like dogs, so this wasn't an issue. But somewhere along my research I read about several sheep ranches in the west that used llama's as guards, and my imagination was captured.
According to what I had read, the importation of llamas happened mid-twentieth century, and by the time the last decade had arrived, there were lots of llamas around, and the novelty had somehow worn off. Instead of prices in the high 6 figures, it was possible to find them for a couple hundred bucks. People on small land holdings were buying them and putting them in the large back yard, along with sheep. And it was quickly noted that sheep and llamas liked each other.
At some point it became apparent that being much smarter than sheep, llamas had the ability to keep them safe. In the west then the large sheep ranches were bringing llamas in and using them instead of dogs to guard the sheep.
One of the problems I was reading about concerning dogs was that they needed to be fed separately. Llamas and sheep eat the very same things. Often large sheep flocks are on the move every day to find fresh food, and toting dog food along was just another problem for the ranchers.
I found someone fairly near me who was mentoring me with sheep, and she also used llamas and was convinced this was the best way to go. So I started looking around for llama breeders. I eventually called my state llama association, thinking this would be a good place to start.
The initial people I spoke with were very off-putting. They immediately being quizzing me as to how much land I had, how many llamas I had, what I fed them. So I begin to explain my situation and I got some very interesting results. I was told I was crazy (possibly), that I was inexperienced (absolutely) and that I had no idea what I was talking about (hey, what about all that research?). I was told that no reputable breeder would sell to me. And they didn't. I was told that llama's MUST be in groups of at least 3 other llamas or they will die. I called 8 or 9 different people, and by the time I reached number 5 the word must have gone out. The rest knew my name, knew what I was looking for, and were not interested in talking with me. The last one just hung up the phone as soon as I said my name.
Hmmmm. A conundrum. I went back to researching dog breeds. A month or so later I got a phone call from someone about 60 miles away. A llama breeder. One who belonged to that same state association that had written me off. He just wanted to talk, to see what I had in mind. Seems he had also been researching guard llamas and was interested in talking with anyone of like mind. We chatted for some time and he gave me additional information that he thought pertinent, that it was his belief that to be a good guard, the llama needed to be a 'loner'. Ordinarily llamas are most happy in groups but he actually had a young animal that just wanted to be by himself, one who wasn't particularly interested in interaction with other llamas, or with people. A very stand offish young male name Four Wheeler. Would I be interested in coming to him to visit and talk about a potential connection? You bet!
A couple of weeks later I drove to that farm for a visit that really changed my life. First of all I learned that not all llama people were up-tight, uppity people with no saving graces. (That had been my own impression of the llama folk I'd originally spoken with.) These people were kind, gracious, knowledgeable, and loved their critters. They could also see that there were now more llamas around than people who wanted them, that the prices had dropped significantly, and that another niche needed to be found for these bright and totally wonderful creatures.
Dennis and Charlene showed me about, told me stories, and introduced me to many many animals. I had noted a young brown llama aloof from the rest, standing on a tiny hill, looking out over the landscape and ignoring everyone else. And that was Four Wheeler. He was totally disinterested in meeting me, didn't want any treats from his owners, turned his back and walked away. Dennis told me this youngster (he was only 5 months old then) didn't mingle with the others, didn't play with the other cria (young llamas are cria), but spent his time watching the world outside his own boundaries. He was aloof to people, and just didn't mingle.
We talked a long time that day, and by the end of it I had purchased Wheeler who could not be delivered for several more weeks due to one thing and another.
I went home that day filled with respect for my new friends, and anxious to begin raising sheep. It was July and my sheep would not be arriving until late September. That is when Wheeler would arrive also. I still had much to learn, much to do, before that time. But it was a start.
I will continue this story. Soon. I promise.
According to what I had read, the importation of llamas happened mid-twentieth century, and by the time the last decade had arrived, there were lots of llamas around, and the novelty had somehow worn off. Instead of prices in the high 6 figures, it was possible to find them for a couple hundred bucks. People on small land holdings were buying them and putting them in the large back yard, along with sheep. And it was quickly noted that sheep and llamas liked each other.
At some point it became apparent that being much smarter than sheep, llamas had the ability to keep them safe. In the west then the large sheep ranches were bringing llamas in and using them instead of dogs to guard the sheep.
One of the problems I was reading about concerning dogs was that they needed to be fed separately. Llamas and sheep eat the very same things. Often large sheep flocks are on the move every day to find fresh food, and toting dog food along was just another problem for the ranchers.
I found someone fairly near me who was mentoring me with sheep, and she also used llamas and was convinced this was the best way to go. So I started looking around for llama breeders. I eventually called my state llama association, thinking this would be a good place to start.
The initial people I spoke with were very off-putting. They immediately being quizzing me as to how much land I had, how many llamas I had, what I fed them. So I begin to explain my situation and I got some very interesting results. I was told I was crazy (possibly), that I was inexperienced (absolutely) and that I had no idea what I was talking about (hey, what about all that research?). I was told that no reputable breeder would sell to me. And they didn't. I was told that llama's MUST be in groups of at least 3 other llamas or they will die. I called 8 or 9 different people, and by the time I reached number 5 the word must have gone out. The rest knew my name, knew what I was looking for, and were not interested in talking with me. The last one just hung up the phone as soon as I said my name.
Hmmmm. A conundrum. I went back to researching dog breeds. A month or so later I got a phone call from someone about 60 miles away. A llama breeder. One who belonged to that same state association that had written me off. He just wanted to talk, to see what I had in mind. Seems he had also been researching guard llamas and was interested in talking with anyone of like mind. We chatted for some time and he gave me additional information that he thought pertinent, that it was his belief that to be a good guard, the llama needed to be a 'loner'. Ordinarily llamas are most happy in groups but he actually had a young animal that just wanted to be by himself, one who wasn't particularly interested in interaction with other llamas, or with people. A very stand offish young male name Four Wheeler. Would I be interested in coming to him to visit and talk about a potential connection? You bet!
A couple of weeks later I drove to that farm for a visit that really changed my life. First of all I learned that not all llama people were up-tight, uppity people with no saving graces. (That had been my own impression of the llama folk I'd originally spoken with.) These people were kind, gracious, knowledgeable, and loved their critters. They could also see that there were now more llamas around than people who wanted them, that the prices had dropped significantly, and that another niche needed to be found for these bright and totally wonderful creatures.
Dennis and Charlene showed me about, told me stories, and introduced me to many many animals. I had noted a young brown llama aloof from the rest, standing on a tiny hill, looking out over the landscape and ignoring everyone else. And that was Four Wheeler. He was totally disinterested in meeting me, didn't want any treats from his owners, turned his back and walked away. Dennis told me this youngster (he was only 5 months old then) didn't mingle with the others, didn't play with the other cria (young llamas are cria), but spent his time watching the world outside his own boundaries. He was aloof to people, and just didn't mingle.
We talked a long time that day, and by the end of it I had purchased Wheeler who could not be delivered for several more weeks due to one thing and another.
I went home that day filled with respect for my new friends, and anxious to begin raising sheep. It was July and my sheep would not be arriving until late September. That is when Wheeler would arrive also. I still had much to learn, much to do, before that time. But it was a start.
I will continue this story. Soon. I promise.