For Sale
How Much Is The Llama In The Window? - See below for our current offerings
Entering into llama ownership can be a joyous time. To better ensure that you make the decisions that will help you enjoy your llamas fully, there are a few things that you might want to consider. People enjoy having llamas for many different reasons such as for: companions or pets; packing; cart driving; public relations events; livestock “guardians”; fiber producers; and showing at llama shows. It is important that you think about what you might want to do with your llamas so that you can find the llamas that are suitable for you and your family.
Before you purchase your first llamas, spend time finding out as much as you can about llamas from publications, videos, llama owners, and llama breeders. You can also attend llama shows, special events, or clinics. There are llama associations or clubs that often have “libraries” that you can borrow materials from and there are llama “groups” on the internet that provide a lot of support for new owners and people thinking about buying llamas.
Talk to local veterinarians to see if there is one who is knowledgeable about llamas or one who is willing to learn. You would want to find out if the vet makes farm calls or whether you would need to transport them.
Make sure you know what the requirements are for basic care, space, and shelter for your area: feed (what kind of hay, minerals/vitamins, supplemental grain), medical needs (vaccinations, worming, gelding, cutting fighting teeth), transportation (vans, trailers), grooming (shearing, brushing, trimming toenails), housing (weather and predators could be a concern for your area), acreage (what is optimum and what are the limitations for livestock in your zone) and weather related needs (fans, electrolytes, fresh water supply). Many needs for llamas are area specific, so it is necessary to talk to some llama owners in your region.
Talk to and visit many different llama owners/breeders. Find out about the disposition of the llamas, health, lineage, training, and any special needs. At a minimum, you should be able to halter the llama yourself, walk it around on the lead easily, pick up the feet, and touch it all over—if you can’t, keep looking! The best way to start with llamas is to find two mature, compatible, trained llamas. You do not want to purchase a bottle fed baby (especially a male) that has not been properly raised and you should not choose a male and female—it is better to wait a couple of years until you are fully prepared to take on the responsibility of breeding. Llamas are herd animals so they will be happier with their own kind to live with. If you are looking for a show quality llama, then ask about the strengths and weaknesses of the conformation of the llama—if the breeder cannot tell you or says that there are no flaws, then keep looking because there is no such thing as a perfect llama.
Another way to get involved with llamas is to find a rescue group. Spend some time talking with people who do rescue to see if you might be suitable for providing a foster home for a llama or adopting one. There are many unwanted or neglected llamas that need good quality homes. Be sure that you are aware of any potential behavior or health problems that could be a concern. You would still need to ask the same questions and have the same concerns as you would with a breeder, so make sure that the llamas you choose are the ones that will fit your needs and abilities.
If you are talking to breeders, check out some references and make sure the breeders are reputable and offer continuing support after your purchase. Most reputable breeders will have a purchase contract for everyone to sign that will spell out any guarantees for performance, fertility, health, return policy, etc. Something else that would benefit you as a new owner is for the breeder/owner to come out to your place to look for potential hazards in or around the barn or pasture such as poisonous plants, inadequate fencing, places that heads, neck or feet could get hurt, etc.
If you spend ample time exploring the world of llamas, you will bring home llamas that will begin your journey into the magic of living with llamas.
QUESTIONS TO ASK LLAMA BREEDERS
- Are all of the llamas registered with the International Llama Registry?
- Do you blood type your llamas? (verify the parentage)
- Do you microchip or tattoo your llamas?
- What type of guarantee comes with the purchase of the llamas?
- What type of medical records comes with the llamas?
- Were there any breeding problems? Birthing problems? Milking problems?
- Has the llama received any special veterinary care? Are there any other health problems that need treatment?
- Have you bottle-fed any llamas? Under what circumstances did you bottle-feed? Have you done any tube feeding or done any plasma transfers? Was there an IgG done?
- How do you handle a weak or premature cria?
- What kind of handling did the llama receive when born and while it was still young? Was the llama “Mallonized?”
- What are your breeding goals? (i.e. conformation, heritage, function, etc.)
- What are the llama’s conformational strengths and weaknesses?
- Is the llama halter trained? What other training has the llama had?
- Where are the dam and sire of the llama? Are there photos?
- What is the personality/behavior like of the llama? What about the parents?
- Are there references for the people that have llamas that you sold?
- Is there after the sale support? What does that include?
- What do you feed your llamas and why? Do you feed grain? Mineral supplement? Hay? Have you had your feed analyzed for nutritional content?
- What is your de-worming schedule? What wormers do you use?
- What is your vaccination schedule?
- What comes with the purchase of a llama? (i.e. halter, lead, free breeding, books, follow-up care, etc.)
- Does the llama have a show record? Is the llama registered with the Alpaca and Llama Show Association (ALSA)?
- Was this llama previously owned by another person?
Serious Inquiries Only!
