Llama Care Sheet

NUTRITION/FEEDING

Llamas are modified ruminants, which means they chew their cuds but do not have rumens (first stomach compartment) They have a three-chamber stomach.

Protein, vitamins and minerals is important for llamas. They receive this through forage, supplements, grains and mash. Proper nutrition is important for all animals at all stages of development

Mature llamas on an average maintenance diets requires 8 to 10% protein contained in their feed. 10 to 14% protein is recommended for pregnant and lactating females. Growing babies will need 10% to 16% protein

too much fat contact can cause obesity. Overweight females can develop difficulties; overweight breeding males may have trouble breeding and/or be more susceptible to heat stress.

Most of the feed stores sell or can order grain needed for llama. But, the amount to feed depends on how much pasture and hay they have. Obviously, the more pasture/hay, the less grain. Fruits are also good for a llamas diet. You could put the fruit in with their grain. A mixture of about a cup or so per llama . More feed should be fed in the cold-weather months.

POISON PLANTS

Below is a list of plants that are poisonous to Llamas

Black Cherry	Black Locust	Black Mustard	Nightshade
Boxwood	Bracken Fern	Buttercup	Rhododendron
Ragwort	Henbane	Horse Nettle	Milkweed
Mountain Laurel	Oak	Poison Hemlock	Rattlebox
Sheep Laurel	Skunk Cabbage	Staggerbush	St John's Wort
Water Hemlock	Wild Lupine

BODY WEIGHTS

Llama Age	Type	Weight
Newborn Cria	Male/Female	16-35 lbs
Crias 4-6 Months	Male/Female	72-125 lbs
Weanlings: 6-12 months	Male/Female	125-175
12-24 Months	Male/Female	175-250
24-36 Months	Open female/male	250-400 lbs
36 Months and older	Pregnant Females	300-450 lbs
36 Months and older	Males	325-475 lbs

HOUSING
Housing for llamas can be three-sided building. I prefer all four sides though, in case of bad winter months.
4" or more of dry straw is a must. If you don't change the straw or it is damp, you are asking for problems.
Llamas need a place to go in the winter months and in the hot summer months.
In the summer, if it is extremely hot, sometimes I put a fan in their house.. Their house has plenty of ventilation, which is also a must in the summer months.. My llamas have a lot trees that they will lay under.
Llamas are susceptible to heat stress in hot and humid climates. Shade and/or shelter should be available for llamas all year round.

FENCING
Llamas are respectful of fences. A 4 ft high fence should be ample. If you need to separate your llamas, just make sure the fence is sturdy. Cattle fencing or similar is fine as long as you have your poles no more than 6 feet apart, otherwise, your fence could sag and if a male llama wants over on the over side, he might be able to jump it.

Grooming
LLama toenails should be clipped when they begin to curl. When clipping, it is better to take too little than too much.
basically, cut where the curl is. You can find clippers online or at your local feed store. They are about $15.00-$19.00
Brushes, slickers and rakes is generally used for brushing their wool. There are several on-line stores that sell grooming supplies for llamas.

Electric shears can be rather expensive. about $200.00 and up.
Electric shears should be used with offset blades that do not shear all the way to the skin. English-made shears are about the best shears. These can also be ordered online or at your local feed store. Sheep shears with a 3-12" or 6" is about $25.00 can also be used for shearing llamas.

HALTERS
Halters must be properly fitted:

** The noseband of the halter should be at least 1-1/2" above the end of the nose bone. If the nose of the halter is too low on the llama's nose, it will cut off it's airway.

**A medium size hand should fit between the underside of the jaw and the halter ring goes at the bottom.

**If the harness is too tight or left on for long periods of time, the lama might develop a sore on its nose.

** You must use a harness designed for llamas and not any other animal..

PARASITES
Llamas are susceptible to several different parasites. There are two types of parasites: internal and External.
The internal parasites (worms) live in the stomach and intestines of the llama and pass out their eggs through the feces. In most species of worms, the eggs then mature to larvae, which live in the grasses and are ingested by the llama while foraging. The larvae invade the digestive tract, where they will develop into mature worms in 21 days, and the cycle continues.
External parasites are less of a problem for llamas.
It is a good idea to find a vet that does work on llamas. You can have a fecal tested for parasites..

Meningeal worm is generally contacted from white-tail deer. An infected deer passes the worm through its feces. The worm develops into a snail or slug which the llama ingest through foraging or grazing. The parasite then migrates to the central nervous system, causing neurological problems for the llama. This type of parasite is very serious and will cause death if not treated.
The best prevention for most parasites is "ivomec" this can be given through injection or paste form. Other preventions are Panacur, Bovatec. Your local feed store should have this, but, you will have to ask for it.. Otherwise, a vet should be able to supply this for you.

Top