Thursday, June 4, 2009

Caroline's llama

My llama's name is
Cyber Kruze ABSR, but we refer to him as Kruze. (I like to call him Peanut!)

Kruze is a three year old Herd Sire [male] born on February 1st 2006. His ILR number is 263659.His Sire is Chilean's "Has it all".His mother is NPLC "Cyber Lady Two".Kruze was born in Oklahoma. He was purchased with his mother by Little Brook farm in Clarksville, Ga. His fiber color is white, brown, and gray. (He's very cute!)

Kitty Hawk

Chileans Kitty Hawk. her offspring are cash, sterling, and Pineapple. DOB Dec. 17th 2003 Her ILR number is 257661.Her sire is PPR Alakazam. Her dam is Maggie Muffins.She was born at our farm. Fiber color medium brown

Ritzie

Shangrilas Ritzie Ring Around. HEr offspring are cath me if you can, Cazmie, and Patches her DOB is May 1st 1997. Her sire: isaboy Her Dam:Vintage Chadell.Ritzie was born at Shangrilas farm in VA. kim purchased her from Dixie Doodle Farm. Fibe color:brown and white

Warrior

Chileans Ray-Beck Warrior . He was our first cria born at our farm, making him our third llama. Warriors DOB is July 18th, 2002He is gelded, His ILR number is 241622. his sire is rocky his dam is consuela Fibe rcolor white

Mr Feel Good

S.T.A.M.F Mr.Feel good was donated to us for use of the love of llamas program by vicky moses he could possilbly have a genetic issue called wry face. this is why he has been gelded DOB Dec 26th his ILR number is 268358 his sire is MSF Gold Mine his dam is ALCL Calico Mountain Fiber color is brown with dark brown face

Merrymag

Merrymags offspring are M&M, Fudge, and Onix DOB Sep. 7th 1997 she is 11 years old her ILR number is 192619 her sire is Wayfarer her dam is Magdelene we bought her from Feathers and Friends Farm in colorado fiber color black.

Consuela

Atlantas Consuela "Consuela" Her offspring is Warrior. She was Kims 2nd llama, she was purchased from llamas of Atlanta in 1999.Consuelas DOB is November 12th 1998. Her ILR number is 209244. Her Sire: Morris St.Thomas Aquainas. Her Dam:Samantha GR02. Fiber color:Black and white

Llama Nutritional Info

Forage is the main contributor of energy to the llamas diet.

llama Show Info

Level 1 shows are shows that have 75 Or fewer llamas entered. Mandatory classes: One complete halter wool division, Open Obstacles.

Level 2 shows are shows that have 75-175 llamas entered Mandatory classes: 2 complete halter wool divisions, nonbreeder, get-of-sire,Produce of dam, open obstacles, open public relations or pack youth pack, youth showmanship, 2 ALSA age divisions youth, obstacles or youth public relations.

random llama info

History
Llamas are members of the camel (camelid) family. Originating in the Central Plains of North America about 10 million years ago, the llama predecessors migrated to South America around 2.5 million years ago. Its cousin, the camel , relocated to the Middle East and other regions of the world. The end of the Ice Age 10,000 to 12,000 years ago marked the extinction of the camelid in North America. Llamas were domesticated from the guanacos of the Andean highlands of Peru 5,000 to 6,000 years ago and are among the world's oldest domestic animals. While primarily a beast of burden for the native herdsmen, llamas also provided them with meat, wool, hides for shelter, manure pellets for fuel, and became sacrificial offerings to their gods. Today there are an estimated 7 million llamas and alpacas in South America. In the United States and Canada there is an estimated 65,000 llamas , 7,000 alpacas and 200 guanacos. Llamas have international appeal, with countries such as New Zealand augmenting their fiber industry with llama and alpaca wool. As in ancient times, the llama today is important to the agricultural economy of the remote highlands of Argentina, Bolivia, Chili and Peru. In North America the llama and alpaca industry is recognized as a viable agriculture entity.

Physical factsLife span: about 15 to 29 years

Weight: 200 to 450 pounds

Height: 36" to 47" at the shoulder, 5' to 6'5" at the head

Average Gestation: 350 days (11.5 months)

Color: A llama may be solid, spotted, or marked in a wide variety of patterns, with wool colors ranging from white to black and many shades of gray, beige, brown, red and roan in between.

Reproduction, Birth and Babies: Females are first bred at 16 to 24 months of age. Llamas do not have a heat cycle; they are induced ovulators (ovulation occurring 24 to 36 hours after breeding). Llamas can be bred at any time of the year. A single baby ("cria") is usually delivered from a standing mother, normally without assistance. Most births occur during daylight hours, which is better for the cria and most certainly more convenient for the llama owners. Twinning is a rare occurrence. Normal birth weights are between 20 to 35 pounds, and the cria usually stands and nurses within 90 minutes. Depending upon the cria's size and the mother's condition, the baby is weaned at 4 to 6 months.

Health and Basic Medical Needs: Because their ancestors evolved in the harsh environment of the Andean highlands, North American llama owners have founds them to be generally easy to care for. The recommended primary care of yearly vaccinations, routine wormings, and regular toenail trimming help llamas remain hardy and healthy.Frequently asked QuestionsWhat are they used for? Contemporary North American llamas are primarily recreational animals. They are bred and raised for packing, wool production, cart pulling, animal facilitated therapy, companion animals, exhibition in shows, parades and fairs, and guardians of other livestock such as sheep. The llama is becoming increasingly popular as a project animal for 4-H, Scouts, FFA and other youth activities. For the outdoor enthusiast and athlete, there are numerous activities and competitive events that team up the llama and his owner. Llamas are great family fun!Can you use their wool? Grease-free and lightweight, llama wool is warm and luxurious. A valuable commodity sought after by fiber artists, such as weavers and spinners, the wool is a marketable product for llama owners.Are they intelligent? Yes, which is why llamas can quickly learn to accept a halter, follow on a lead, load in and out of a vehicle, or carry a pack. Are they good pack animals? Sure-footed and agile, most llamas are excellent packers and can carry an average of 80 lbs or 25% of their body weight. Their two-toed foot with its leathery pad gives the llama a low environmental impact equivalent to that of a considerate hiker's athletic shoe. Their ability to browse lessens their intrusion on the native vegetation, which is one of the reasons llamas are gaining in popularity with environmentally conscious users and managers of our public lands. Historically llamas have carried packs for man ; however some llamas have been trained to carry a small child.What do they eat? Llamas are modified ruminants with a three-compartment stomach. Like cattle and sheep, they chew their cud. Because of a relatively low protein requirement and an efficient digestive system, they can be kept on a variety of suitable pastures or hay, with the supplementation of recommended vitamins, minerals and salt. A llama costs significantly less to feed than other comparable-sized animals.What is their personality like? Because they are highly sociable herd animals, llamas need the companionship of other llamas. Independent yet shy, llamas are gentle and curious. Their generally calm nature and common sense make a trained llama easy for anyone to handle and an excellent choice for a child's pet and companion.What sounds do they make? Llamas communicate by humming. They also express themselves through a series of ear, body, and tail postures. On rare occasions they will alert their companions and human keepers with a distinctive alarm call to the presence of unfamiliar dogs or other creatures which they perceive as threats. During breeding males make a distinctive orgling sound.Do they spit? Llamas will spit at other llamas in order to establish the pecking order within the group, to ward off an unwanted suitor, or to say "Bug off!". A llama who has been mishandled, feels abused, or threatened may occasionally spit at humans.

PREDATOR AND PREY -- llama signs & symptoms

One thing that you should know about llamas is that they are herbivores. (DUHh!!) Another thing I hope you know is that humans are omnivores. (What Taylor? You didn't know that?) This means that MOST humans eat veggies AND meat. (Hey - some don't!) Staring at a llama straight in the face may cause them to become uncomfortable. Don't do it. It be kind of like a lion staring you down. [Except we'd be the lions (minus fangs, claws, 4 legs, a swishy tail, dirty fur...) and the llamas would be the humans. Doesn't sound very fun now, does it?]Another thing is that llamas are herd animals. They travel in groups. If a llama becomes injured or sick, they will try hard not to show any signs of pain. The reason being is that weaker llamas tend to be picked on by the others. Also, in the wild, what types of llamas would be the first to be picked off by carnivorous critters? The old, and the sickly. If a llama is showing that it's hurting, then the predators will know! If the llama is old, well then, it better run fast! Llamas are also very curious so if they see something like a cat or dog they will all go toward it at once and that usaully scares off the predator they also have a warning cal it sounds kind of like a string of short screamish things

How to prevent heat stress

TOP TEN list of things to do.

The list is not all inclusive, but theseare some of the most important things we need to do to protect the llamasand alpacas from heat stress before it happens to you !

1. SHEAR - I recommend that all llamas and alpacas be sheared before June 1every year. Barrel cuts seem to work OK, but not shearing is not an option.

2. SHADE - Lots of shade should be available. Most critical is that there isenough shade for ALL of the animals to be shaded at the same time wheneverthey want.

3. VENTILATION - A good breeze is worth a thousand words. The most importantthing is that the wind can get underneath the animals where the "thermalwindow" is located. Fans should blow across the barn at floor level (notdown from a height). Barns should have cross-ventilation so that stagnationdoes not occur in any area.

4. WATER - Clean, plain, fresh water should be available at all times. Watershould be replaced at least twice a day to keep it cool (not cold). Watershould be in the shade and animals should not have to compete for access.

5. BEDDING - Straw is bad in summer. This thick bedding closes off thethermal window and decreases access to ventilation. Sand bedding, especiallyslightly moist, is very good at absorbing heat from the animals. Concrete ishard, but cool and easy to clean and wet down.

6. WADING - I like pools. Llamas and alpacas will seek out puddles, ponds,etc to get cool. This tends to make hair fall out if they lay around inwater too much of the time, but pools are very effective at allowing theanimals to self-regulate temperature. Bad for show season, but good fornon-showers. The pool should be in the shade and freshened daily.

7. MONITORING - Observation is the key to life. Watch your animals. If theyspend a lot of time eating, standing, walking around and being active thenthey are probably happy and healthy. If they lay around most of the day andare not active, then they may have sub clinical heat stress (early stage) andintervention may be warranted. Watch your breeding males very closely. Ifyou see the scrotum getting pendulous, "baggy", or increasing in size, dosomething immediately or you may loose fertility!

8. FEEDING - Eating and digesting hay takes a lot of work and generates alot of heat. Some have suggested that less hay, more grass and grains causeless heat stress risk because heat production from digestion is minimized. Iquestion the application of this concept, but certainly pasture grazing isthe best management style.

9. ELECTROLYTES - I am a big believer in the protective effect ofelectrolytes. I make water available that has salt, potassium, glucose, andbicarbonate in it to help replace losses that occur in sweat and breathing.I am a big believer in the protective effects of a balanced diet. Ofparticular interest for heat stress is that adequate Vitamin E, Selenium,Zinc, and Copper are available.

10. PREGNANCY - I prefer to see females in this area of the country havingcrias in the spring. This optimizes easy re-breeding of females; allowsoptimal lactation because of the nutrition of fresh grass; optimizes criahealth because of sunlight, clean pastures, and good nutrition; and preventsfemales from having to suffer late gestation in the hot summer months.Successful treatment of heat stress depends upon early recognition(increased respiration, lethargy, increased recumbency, decreased appetite,decreased cooperation with or participation in activity, flared nostrils).Most of the above mentioned prevention strategies can be applied astreatment. Consult a veterinarian at the earliest time for animals showingabnormalities of behavior during summer months.

Judging

What Exhibitors need to know

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The criteria and guidelines for each class entered. Know the dress code for that particular show. Know how to use and fit halters and equipment used in classes entered. Understand basic conformation, and general knowledge of showing llamas. Read, review, and understand what is expected in classes that they enter. Get to the gate on time, prior to class, enter ready to show. Understand ring procedure, entering, during and exiting. Trained and well-mannered llamas are a must while showing. Exhibitors are expected to treat their llamas in a humane manner. Attend the judge and exhibitors meeting prior to showing. Learn what to expect from the judge. Attend as many show clinics prior to show time. Enter the show ring with a positive attitude. Build a trust between the llama and the handler, before entering the ring. Enjoy what you are doing and have fun.
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Llama Showmanship ClassWhat may the judge be looking for in a Showmanship class Evaluating the handler. Being able to see the llama at all times Check to see if handler is following directions of the judge. HANDLERS AND LLAMAS SHOULD WALK WITH A BRISK,NATURAL STRIDE WHEN-IN THE ARENA. Show the llama to it’s best advantage. Never be between the judge and the llama while showing. Keep an eye on the judge, be alert to all instructions from the judge. Be on time to the entry gate of each class. Have a working knowledge of the showmanship section of the ALSA . Handbook. Training for show takes time and energy. Know your llama. Grooming for most llamas was started many weeks before show time. Make sure llama is clean, free of debris and well groomed. Correct fit of halters on the llamas. Know llama parts, function and nutrition, judge may ask. Train llama to walk smoothly at your shoulder with short loose lead. Allow 5-6 feet between llamas, in front and beside you. Other than grooming and proper tack, the llama is not judged in showmanship. In showmanship classes the handler is judged on how effectively the llama is presented to the judge.
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Llama Halter ClassWhat may the judge be looking for in the Halter Class CONFORMATION Soundness and overall balance of the llama. Disposition, eye appeal are also taken into consideration. Llamas are evaluated individually..then compared to one another to determine finale placements.Judges most valuable assessment tool is ‘Observing llamas while they are in motion’Are the rear feet following the front feet. Is the llama standing square, level back, high tail set Judge is also evaluating leg conformations (sickle hocks, weak pasterns) HANDLERS AND LLAMAS SHOULD WALK WITH A BRISK, NATURAL STRIDE WHEN IN THE ARENA.Handlers should maintain adequate spacing between animals at about 5-6 feet. Lead ropes should appear loose rather than pulling the llama. Lead rope and halter should be black. Training doesn’t start in the show ring. Much time is spent prior to show time in training and grooming the llama. The llama should be clean, free of debris and well groomed. Follow directions of the judge. Before showing, visit the designated poop pile so the llama can be more relaxed in the ring and not stall or stop the rest of the class. Walk the llama straight to and away from the judge, this helps the judge evaluate movement, correctness of legs, and tracking of the feet. Handlers should never be between the judge and the llama. Dress for Halter & Showmanship: dark slacks, dark shoes, long sleeve shirts. Be on time for each class
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llama beans

The Scoop on the Poop!!!!!

You’re starting a garden. Everything is in place: your flowers are planted, the weeds are removed, and everything is perfectly watered. All that’s left is the fertilizer – but what to use?


You would like to go to the store and buy some basic fertilizer, but you have heard the dangers of improper dosage that can literally kill your precious plants. You’d also like to use cow manure – it’s fairly common AND it’s natural—but let’s face it: it stinks! So, how about….


LLAMA MANURE!

Disgusting, right? Well, maybe not.

Llama poop, (aka “beans”) are extremely rich in Nitrogen, Phosporus and Potassium. Take a look for yourself!
Animal Manure Comparison:

Animal % Nitrogen % Phosphorus % Potassium %
Llama 1.7 0.69 0.66
Chicken 1.0 0.8 0.4
Horse 0.7 0.25 0.55
Sheep 0.95 0.35 1.0
Cow 0.6 0.15 0.45
Pig 0.5 0.35 0.4

Not convinced yet? Believe it or not, it doesn’t stink! Llama poop is naturally odorless, and is ideal for indoor plant use, as well as on outdoor flower and vegetable gardens. It greatly improves soil’s water- holding capacity, and by the time the llamas have processed their food through their THREE stomachs, it’s well broken down, it wont “burn” your plants,(Burning occurs when organic matter decomposes, creates heat, and therefore damages the roots of the plants it is near.) and it does not contain grass and weed seeds that could regrow themselves in your garden.

Did you know research shows that the llama ‘beans’ have a natural repelent towards deer and other garden- munching critters? That also includes bugs! How cool!For more information, please contact Caroline Flynn through the Jackson County 4H.