Buying A Llama
Please click on each question to find out more information about owning a llama.
If you would like to see the llamas currently for sale, please
click here.
Llamas should never be kept on their own, they need a llama companion. Two females
or two geldings are best.
If you want to breed llamas then be sure you have the right facilities and enough
land to keep them all and to separate them safely. Buy the best quality you can
afford. Research and learn as much as you can before you buy to help you make the
right selection.
Trekking llamas need to have a temperament that is suited to the task and also conformation
that will allow them to work well into their teens.
Temperament is the most important factor to take into account if you want a field
pet. Some llamas may look cute and cuddly, but that doesn’t mean a thing if you
can’t get near it! Females will enjoy going out for walks and can be trained to
carry a pack just like the boys, there is then the option of breeding at a later
date.
If they are to guard or to be a companion to other livestock then a single llama
may be fine providing he (must be a male) is the right age. No younger than 18 months
old so past babyhood, but no older than 4 years as that is when they reach maturity.
He must have been raised in a herd of llamas so that he knows he is a llama and
that he is a protector of the herd. He must never have been used for breeding and
should be castrated. To protect free range poultry, two llamas are best.
Recommended stocking rate is 4 llamas per acre. However, this does not mean you
can keep two llamas on half an acre, as pasture needs to be managed and is best
divided into a minimum of two paddocks so that one can be grazed whilst the other
is rested. This helps to graze more efficiently and helps to keep internal parasites
to a minimum. Llamas also need space top roam and play, keeping them in very small
paddocks can cause stress and boredom, effecting their behaviour. Two llamas need
a minimum of one acre.
Standard stock fencing is adequate. Although llamas are capable of jumping five
bar gates from a standstill, they almost always respect a barrier. Keeping a breeding
male alongside females would be asking for trouble and if your land borders a busy
road then a slightly higher fence would be sensible. Electric fencing is usually
respected if strip grazing or protecting hedges. Hedges will be eaten and also some
trees as llamas are browsers and will try most vegetation.
Yes please. Although very hardy animals, a shelter from the heat/wind/storms are
appreciated. A shelter will also provide a dry area to put their hay in which must
be provided ad lib all year round. It will also give you an area to catch them and
to carry out any husbandry tasks. A simple three sided shed is adequate with a gate
on one side to enclose them when necessary.
Grass and hay. Too many llamas are seriously overweight as owners will insist on
feeding them supplementary feed that they simply do not need. Some pregnant or lactating
females may need extra food as do some geriatric llamas and weanlings. Learning
how to gauge body condition is the key to knowing if and when you need to feed hard
food.
Very little! One of the easiest animals to keep. Naturally hardy and healthy. Vaccination
against clostridial deseases and Bluetonge given as annual boosters. Worming only
when faecal samples dictate. Most llamas never need their toe nails clipping and
some short fleeced llamas will not need shearing. Longer fleeced animals will benefit
from shearing every 2–3 years.
Average age is 15–20 years, some llamas living into their twenties. Definitely not
just for Christmas.
No licences required. At present, no compulsory movement records need to be kept
as they are not classed as agricultural animals. In the case of National movement
restrictions (Bluetongue/Foot and Mouth outbreaks) camelids are subjected to the
same movement regimes as other farm livestock until the outbreak is over. The UK
has an increasing problem with Bovine TB and camelids can get this awful disease.
There are several TB hotspots in the UK and moving an animal out of these areas
into clean ones should be undertaken with great consideration and advice from your
vet. Check the DEFRA web site to identify these areas.
Unfortunately, too many people buy young, untrained llamas that they hope to train
themselves. It is not the same as training a dog or even a horse and too many new
owners fail to handle their llamas in a way that gives them, or their llama much
enjoyment. If your first llamas are already trained and you learn how to handle
them confidently, you will be able to enjoy them from the start and for many years
to come.
Llamas are easy to transport. They do not need tying up, rugging up or their legs
bandaged. Once underway, they lie down and enjoy the trip. A horse trailer or livestock
trailer is the only way to travel with llamas. Do not use transit vans or any vehicle
not designed for large animals. Legislation on transporting animals can be found
on the DEFRA web site.
Try to see as many llamas as you can, get a feel for what you like and what you
dislike. Remember that if you want to handle them, they must be trained and you
must learn it too. They vary in size and fibre coverage. A long shaggy coat may
look gorgeous but will take more shearing and looking after. A big llama may look
daunting but could well be easier to handle than a smaller one, temperament, training
and help from the breeder are paramount. Sooner or later, you will find what you
are looking for - or maybe he will find you!