I got a llama

You read that right, a llama. My family rescued Lauren along with two nigerian dwarf goats from really awful conditions. This is sort of new for us, we've had just about every other form of livestock over the years, horses, cows, pigs, goats (with the two new ones we now have 4 nigerian dwarfs), but this is the first llama.

She's got problems of course because of the serious neglect she's suffered. Her hooves are very overgrown, her teeth are a mess, she's dirty, and needs a good shearing as soon as the weather is good enough. Of course we've also taken on any behavior problems she has, one obvious ones is she's not socialized with other llamas, she was raised with goats and sheep not among other llamas. So she'll be fine with our goats but should we get more llamas I worry about how she'll react.

So for the indie part of this: As soon as the weather is good enough she'll be sheared and I'll have a huge pile of llama wool. Any suggestions as to what to do with it would be great.

Tags: animal, goats, llama, rescue, wool

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Permalink Reply by Corinne Sullivan on April 12, 2008 at 10:35pm: I love that picture! You should photoshop in a grille on those teeth! I want a donkey, and have for years. Nevermind I know NOTHING about farm animals, which is probably why my husband says no. your Llama is very pretty though!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Sheryl on April 12, 2008 at 11:48pm: She'll be gorgeous in a few months, her teeth are being trimmed down to a normal length, her hooves are getting trimmed, once it's warm enough she'll be sheared and bathed, and of course she needs to put on weight (she probably isn't much more than 300lbs and she should weigh around 400lbs).

Donkeys are great, but not for a beginner unless you have an experienced donkey owner and a good vet around to give you advice. They are also extremely intelligent which is the biggest problem for a new owner, a bored donkey will find ways to amuse themselves and not always in ways you would like for example making a game out of escaping from the pasture. They remind me a lot of goats that way (I have 4 goats) bored goats can cause endless headaches, you have to rotate things to keep them amused like ramps, indestructible toys, etc.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by BeadWhisperer on April 13, 2008 at 11:59am: Poor llama. I'm glad she's found a good home. Good for you & your family for changing a poor creature's life for the better. I'll be interested to see her after she's sheared (shorn?) and healthy.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Tori Jones on April 13, 2008 at 5:16pm: A llama sounds awesome. I bet you can find a weaver who'd want the wool, too. Good luck :); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jackie65 on April 13, 2008 at 5:28pm: Oh she's gorgeous. I love Llamas, they have such personality and affection. You're wonderful for giving her a good home (along with all the other animals).♥; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Enid on April 17, 2008 at 9:07am: I love llamas =D And she's such a cutie !; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Sheryl on April 17, 2008 at 4:20pm: Well we had a little surprise when the vet was here giving Lauren a physical and shots. Turns out that my llama is not a she but a he. Now normally someone would have noticed right away but he's got such thick wool that area isn't easily visible and with a new animal with hooves walking up behind them isn't a great idea unless you want to be kicked. However the vet gets paid to do that sort of thing so he looked and told us that Lauren is actually a gelded male.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by YouCraft.org on April 19, 2008 at 6:25am: He--not she then--is lovely.
Are you going to change his name or will he be a boy llama named Lauren?.... :); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Andrea on April 30, 2008 at 12:32am: I've always, ALWAYS, wanted a llama. In fact, a llama is definitely on my list of critters to care for and love when I have more space. =^.^;=

I'm so glad that you rescued ~~her~~ him! It sounds like she has a wonderful and safe new home!
<3,
Andrea

RE: italianchildhood- I know a man named Lauren. It suits him remarkably well. *grins*; ▶ Reply to This