At
Hidden Oaks
Llama Ranch, we
enjoy educating people
of
all ages
that want to learn more about llamas. If you’re new to llamas, we are happy
to answer any questions you may have. We encourage you to email us with
questions or visit the farm and
take
a llama for a walk!
This will give you a real perspective of what they are like and how
they
interact. Not only do they come in a variety of colors, sizes
and wool
types, they are all very different in personalities. We will gladly
even show you
how to trim nails, shear or train them,
if you like! We feel it
is very
important to match the llama with the owner, depending on your
needs....breeding, showing, pets, packing, guard, 4-H or if you desire,
giving that special home to a couple
special rescues. |
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Interested in seeing some of the
FARM ADS we have done?
Click on the underlined links below to view some of them!
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2008 CASCADE LLAMA
SALE
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2006 ALSA SHOWRING MAGAZINE
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2006 LAMA LINK MAGAZINE
~Cover~
~Page 6~
~Page 7~
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History about Llamas ~ |
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Llamas
are members of the Camelid family, which consists of five
species, llamas,
alpacas, vicunas, guanacos and of course, Camels. They originated in the high Andes of South
America, with
many being imported into the United States from Chile, Bolivia
and Peru. Llamas have now become so popular that you will see them in most
every state, including Alaska and Hawaii.
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(click on anything underlined below for more information) |
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Llama Characteristics ~
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Llamas
are extremely intelligent, curious, gentle, well-mannered and clean. They
have a padded foot with two toes covered by a hard nail.
An adult llama can weigh anywhere from 250-500 pounds. The average life span
is 15-20 years although some have lived into their late 20's. Colors vary from
white to
black, with shades of gray, beige, brown,
red roan and
agouti. It may be solid,
spotted, or marked in a variety of patterns...tuxedo
front, brown and white paint and tri color.
One of the biggest questions we
always get asked is
“Do they spit?”
My answer to that question is
“it’s all
in the way you handle them.”
Most llamas will not walk up and spit on a
person, unless they have
been abused, mistreated or have behavioral
issues. Sometimes it can
also be from a llama becoming imprinted on
people through bottle
feeding as a baby. See the
AGGRESSIVE MALES
link below. Spitting
is a means of defense and mostly used in establishing a
pecking order
in the herd. Some llamas, like people just aren’t as sociable!
Llamas communicate
their moods with a series of tail, body and ear postures as well as
vocalizations. Learning this llama language is one
of the joys of
ownership. Humming indicates a variety of moods from contentedness to
concern. Sometimes they will make a "clucking" noise. In
females, they will usually cluck to the males meaning "they aren't
interested". Males that cluck almost seem to have low self esteem and
are trying to intimidate you, they may also try to stand extra tall also.
Young llamas will sometimes lower their head & neck and flip their tail over
their back to another llama. This usually means they are less
confident and showing submission.
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Llama Care ~
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Llamas are some of the easiest livestock to raise; but do require routine
care like all animals. They need to have a three sided shelter with a roof
of some kind, to provide them with shade in the summer and
get out of bad weather. Three to four llamas can easily be raised on one
acre of good pasture and must have access to good, clean water at all
times. They are browsers, so their favorite thing to do is munch on leaves,
trees, blackberry bushes and what ever else they may find.
There are certain
POISONOUS PLANTS, trees or bushes that can be harmful to them, so it’s very
important to check this out. Here is another great link, courtesy of
Mount Lehman Llamas on
POISONOUS
PLANTS. Since llamas evolved to use the sparse
vegetation in the Andes, they are extremely efficient at processing food.
They should be fed a good quality grass hay (12-14% protein) and have a free choice mineral
supplement available. Llamas require annual vaccinations and deworming.
Regular FECAL TESTING
is also very important!
Click below for more parasite information and photos I have taken
from my microscope!
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Parasite/Coccidia Photos (2/23/07)
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Instructions for
doing fecal testing (2/23/07)
Please consult your
local veterinarian for which vaccine and/or dewormer is best, as different
parasites require different treatment. NAIL TRIMMING is done as needed, approximately two to four times per year, as well as
SHEARING, which is done once a year, usually in the spring to early summer
months. This is necessary to prevent heat stress, as well as keeping the
fiber healthy. It also makes any grooming you may want to do a whole lot
easier!
The following links (there will be more to come) are written by me and
solely based on my experience from what I have learned first hand.
My
intent is not to offend anyone, but rather to educate the public
about
llamas....before you buy!
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Aggressive
Males
(1/31/07)
The following
are educational brochures reprinted with permission
from the International Lama
Registry, please visit their website at
www.lamaregistry.com for
additional information. (Adobe .pdf format)
Brochure - I Want A Llama!
Brochure #2 - Guard Llamas
Brochure
#3 - Llama Facts
Brochure #4 - Medical Management
Brochure #5 -
Housing
Brochure #6 - Feeding
Brochure #7 - Herd Management
Brochure #8 - Birthing
Brochure #9 -
Llama Fiber/Wool
Brochure #10 - Packing
Brochure #11 - Heat Stress
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~ Our farm offers the following services
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Consultation
- $35.00 per hour
If you would like to learn more about training llamas,basic health care
or anything else you would like to discuss about llamas.
Shearing
(we do not do herds of more than 10 llamas, but
will gladly refer you)
$25.00 per llama if
shearing had been done the previous year.
$35.00 per llama if
shearing has never been done.
*Sorry we do
not shear alpacas or sheep, but can offer a referral.
Nail Trimming -
$15.00 per
llama
Trip and/or Hauling Fee - $.40/mile
Farm Tours/Field Trips
From adult assisted living centers to schools.....all are welcome
and there is no charge.
Fiber or Wool Types
LIGHT –
Minimal body wool, short neck wool with smooth legs.
MEDIUM
– Moderate to
long body wool, minimal to moderate neck wool,
smooth to moderate leg wool.
HEAVY– Abundant body and neck wool with minimal to abundant leg wool, at
least to knee and hock.
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What do you do with a
llama? |
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Llamas have several uses, but please keep in mind, not all llamas are
good at all things….it’s important to make sure the llama you choose
is a good fit for you and your needs, we can help! |
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Packing ~ |
Llamas
need far less
food and water on the trail than a horse
or mule
and can carry
about 25% of their body weight, usually
50-75 pounds,
12-15 miles per day if
properly conditioned.
They are
the pack animal of choice for taking
extended trips into the mountains! |
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(Click on above photos for larger view)
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(Packing photos by Joe Staub)
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Fiber/Wool Production ~
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Llama wool is low in lanolin and extremely warm. Garments made,
if tightly
knit, are somewhat water resistant also. Everyone that
touches a llama are
always amazed at how soft they are! |
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~ Showing ~ |
Llama shows are becoming very popular in the
United States
and llamas can be shown many ways....
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HALTER
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Where conformation
of the llama is judged. How the llama
moves in a straight line, how correct or straight the llamas' legs
are, is their back or top line level, do they have a smooth gait,
graceful walk and overall appearance and condition...too heavy or
too thin, any noticeable health issues. Many things are considered.
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PERFORMANCE -
Which includes obstacles you and the llama maneuver
through.
There are three classes that make up performance. |
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The public
relations class has a series of obstacles you might
encounter while
visiting a school or nursing home….stairs or ramps, backing, loading into a
van and people petting your llama.
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The obstacle class is a series of
obstacles which may include high
and low jumps, water, side pass, weaving around things, ducking, going over
bridges and
backing.
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The final class is pack, similar to the other two, this
class also has several obstacles, but your llama is required to carry a
pack,
a llama cannot be in this class until they are at least 18 months old,
from
18-36 months they do not have to carry weight, but the pack needs
to
have a filler of some kind, like newspaper. Once the llama is 37 months old,
they are required to carry a
minimum of 40 pounds.
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CART DRIVING -
Another area that is gaining popularity is cart
driving. Some llamas
can be trained to pull a cart, either the two or four
wheeled type.
They learn commands similar to a horse and have three
gaits....
walk, trot and lope. There are specific carts and harnesses
especially designed for llamas, as well as a special llama driving
halter
(they do not wear bits!) Contact us for more information
if you are
interested. Be careful, as pony carts are typically
not safe....they do not
fit llamas properly!
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KGW News
Channel 8
makes a visit
to our farm ...
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Experience
Guard Llamas!
click here to view the
guard
llama story
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~ Guarding ~
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Some llamas can
be
extremely effective at guarding sheep or goats against predators, like
coyotes or dogs. Only a single llama
should be used in a particular area
as
some may not take their job
as serious if they
are with other llamas. We
have found they
can be
effective in separate pastures guarding separate animals on
the
same property in some cases.
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Lynne Deshler of Cedar Haven Farm
along with "Haley" and her Shetland Sheep
(click on photo for a larger view)
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Our stud,
London with his goats, Romeo (Black) & Juliet
(Tan)
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April and her sheep
at their new home
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and
Therapy Llamas!
click
here to view the
therapy llama story
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~ Therapy ~
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Many people use their llamas in therapy programs
for both
the elderly
and the emotionally disturbed with excellent
results
and watching them play or graze in a field after a stressful
day definitely has a real calming effect! Visit our
LINKS page for
more
information on pet therapy.
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~ 4-H ~ |
4-H is a wonderful opportunity for children to
learn responsibility, leadership and sportsmanship while having a great
time. It is also
much less expensive than say a horse or larger animal. If
you are interested in joining a llama 4-H club, we would
be glad to refer
you.
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Clackamas County Lickety Spit 4-H
Club
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~ What else? Enjoy them! ~ |
If you haven't experienced the wonderful world of llamas....
you are really
missing out!
Call us today to schedule a visit....
503.630.5173 or email at
hiddenoaksllamaranch@msn.com
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RDRL Comet & Kayla
HOLR Firenza & Jonathan
Midnight Illusion & Alex |
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(photo by Jacintha
Cauffield) |