I
see there are many profitable uses for llamas, but can they be
milked, and is the milk suitable for human consumption, like goats,
sheep and cows etc? BD
|
|
Some
older sources of information suggest that tribes people milked their
llamas. It even says so on the sign at London Zoo but I have not
come across any contemporary evidence of this.
Llama milk is, in fact, produced in such small quantity that it
almost makes one wonder that the can calves can thrive and grow on
it! It is, however, extremely concentrated and of course is
perfect... for llamas. All in all, however, this does suggest that
it is unsuitable for normal human consumption.Back to
top of this page -
Back to main topic list
|
| |
|
|
|
How
much is a llama fleece worth? JT |
|
Factors
that need to be taken into account include quality (micron count),
quantity and cleanliness of the fleece. One of our clients shear and
sell their llama fleece at circa £10 per pound. Back to
top of this page -
Back to main topic list |
| |
|
|
Hello.
I was wondering if you could put my mind at rest. A
question was raised one night about the name of a Llama's coat. I
have been on your web-site and it refers to a llama's coat simply
as 'wool' does the coat have a specific name?
I would much appreciate a reply.
Thank you. TH
|
|
I'm
afraid I was being a little lax in referring to the llama's coat as
wool, although this is fairly common practice as
it gives a good
idea of its type, look and feel...
Technically it is - and should be referred to as - fibre. Llama
fibre disqualifies as wool which is a solid fibre whilst llama,
or alpaca as the finer quality is
termed, is hollow with a structure of diagonal walls. This is
actually a plus because this structure gives it exceptional
insulating qualities and makes it very strong and light as well
as warm!
Take a look at the section Luxury
Fibre for more information.
Back to
top of this page -
Back to main topic list
|
| |
|
|
|
Since the film, 'The Emperor's
New Groove', my mate and I have been totally in love with llamas,
and your site was a real treat! Did you see that film? It was
good, wasn't it? I hope the film boosted your income. I love your
photo gallery, especially the captions. The information pages
taught me a lot, and I fell in love with the llamas for sale. Your
site was very good AND very funny! Please reply,
K.
|
|
Delighted
to know you enjoyed the site! There's lot's more to be added
so do return soon.
We've not caught up with the film
yet but hopefully will see the video eventually.
Our llama Kuzco can be visited at
the UK Llama Centre in
Dorset ; he is being used by Disney for promotion of the
video.
Keep smiling... Paul R. Back to
top of this page -
Back to main topic list |
| |
|
|
|
You
warned us when we bought our two lads that we might get hooked.
Well Paul, now that it's time to geld them we're now thinking of
coming to see you to get two females to go with them instead!
Our worry is whether the boys will stop being friends if we put them
back together once they've paired with the girls? How do we proceed.
E.F. |
|
You're
not the first to change direction in this way - I am pleased to say!
Current thinking tends to suggest that once your males mate their
respective partners, they will need to be kept apart.
However for the past three years we have been putting males that
grew up together back with each other at the end of each summer's
breeding, with - so far - great success and we will certainly help
you achieve this. Back to
top of this page -
Back to main topic list |
| |
|
|
|
On
the subject of grooming, is it o.k to brush against the grain of
the coat? It does seem to help when matted but I know that cats are
supposed to hate it! |
|
We
certainly prefer to brush with the lie of the coat but do
occasionally backbrush areas in the process, and it does not seem to
bother the llama. Try... Back to
top of this page -
Back to main topic list |
| |
|
|
|
Our llamas
are doing really well and we have had a wonderful summer with
them. One, however, the white girl with grey spots (who we have
called Delila!) has what I can only describe as slightly sticky
pointed ends to her fibre in lots of small clumps. These do not
come out when we brush her. Can you please advise what causes them
and how to deal with them? Thanks and best wishes. RR-T |
|
I
do know what you mean: we have some llamas that occasionally get
this too. I'm really not sure, however, where it comes from - I
guess it must come from rubbing against some sort of plant or
standing under a particular tree. Any better suggestions from anyone
out there in cyberspace would be greatly appreciated!
I'm afraid the only way to get rid
of the problem is a severe comb with metal teeth that will pull
through (hold the fibre above the point at which you put the comb
through so that it does not pull and hurt) or (my preference) to
clip off all the pointy ends and then brush well.
The other way
is to give your llama a shower and shampoo! C.E Back to
top of this page -
Back to main topic list |
| |
|
|
This is really
a question more about gardening than llamas, but I have recently
acquired my first pair of llamas and understand that their dung is
superb for the garden. Do you know if it has to be well rotted (
and for how long?), like horse manure, or can it be used fairly
fresh? TC
|
|
It
is true! Your garden will take on a new lease of long-necked life
when you spread your llamas dung and there is no need for it to be
rotted down: it is a 'cold' that will not burn
plants and the impatient can spread it straight from the
dispenser. The manure is rich, high in nitrogen and
relatively odourless. Fertiliser
Enjoy your new llamas. Back to
top of this page -
Back to main topic list |
| |
|
|
|
My
llamas both have very good conformation with nice straight front
legs, but although my new cria (six weeks) is really lovely, she has
quite splayed legs. Is there anything that I can do? Thank you for
your help and for this great column! DA |
|
Thank
you, and don't panic! It is not uncommon for the long thin legs of
cria to be out of kilter and it is very possible that she will grow
out of it as her legs get larger and stronger, especially if both
parents have good legs...
At the moment we have a
really beautiful yearling male - white and wonderfully woolly-
who should become an outstanding stud but for the fact that one of
his front legs tends to splay out - however it does not do so all
the time and I call it "lazy leg" syndrome. Time will tell
as he gets a little older as to whether it will sort itself out...
So I would be inclined to wait and
see for at least a few weeks, but if you are still concerned then
your vet might recommend splints to help them develop straighter.
Remember though, if they do not straighten naturally and if you
intend breeding from this youngster, the problem may reproduce
itself in offspring.
Back to
top of this page -
Back to main topic list |
| |
|
|
|
Can
llamas be kept with cattle? Do they eat silage? JT |
|
We've
grazed our llamas with various types of cattle including
Highlands without any problems (but there could
be a risk from horn damage, accidental or otherwise.
We do not feed silage but believe others have used it as part of a
balanced diet without any problems. Can anyone confirm for us?.
Back to
top of this page -
Back to main topic list |
