PHOLLIE LLAMA FARMS!

This is just an introduction to this wonderful and amazing animal, To tell you all there is to know, Would take several pages. But we hope this is of some interest to you. Llamas belong to the Camelid Family that originated in North America, Many thousands of years ago, They migrated perhaps because ot the iceage? and split into two groups. Which includes the one and two hump Camels of Asia and Africa. The Llama is from South America, Bolivia, Chili and Peru. ect. They live on the west side of the South American Continent in the Andes mountains from the elevation of 7500 feet to 1300 feet. In South America they evolved into four groups. They are the domesticated Llama, Alpaca, Plus the wild Guanaco and Vicuna. The Incas were raising them like cattle over four thousand years ago. They are still a big part of the South American gross national product today. Where they are used for food, clothing, pack animals, as guard animals for herds of sheep and as a big export item. In North America they are used as pets, show animals, pack animals ( mostly in the northwest ). There is a small demand for the wool. It is much better than sheeps wool. But there is less of it and it comes in varied colors.We also use them as guard animals in sheep herds. And Llamas are popular as 4H project animals. They are easy to train to do most anything. From running obstacle courses, to pulling carts, wearing costumes, heeding commands, stay, walk and lay down ect. The Llama was bred as an all around livestock animal. the Alpaca was bred for it's wool. It is smaller than the Llama and some say harder to train. The Guanaco and Vicuna are still wild as such. When Llamas were first imported to this country. They were very expensive animals. But have now became very affordable to most anyone. They are very easy to take care of. About like a cat. and several can be raised on an acre or two of pasture. They need very little grain or hay. And do need to be given minerals. The cost averages less than 50 cents per day per animal. As livestock they can be taken as a tax deduction. They are a hardy lot. Seldom needing the vet. But do need wormed at least two times a year Spring and fall. Most breeders do this themselves. They also need to have their toe nails trimmed every now and then. They have two toes on each foot. And a word to the wise. They are like potato chips! You can't stop at just one!

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