Milking Llamas

Genipher

True BYH Addict
Joined
Oct 9, 2011
Messages
645
Reaction score
689
Points
273
Location
Oregon
I've been hearing more and more about milking different animals (sheep, camels, donkeys...) and I got to wondering, does anyone here milk llamas?
I think it would be interesting to make llama cheese or butter...has anyone ever done that?
 

elevan

Critter Addict ♥
Joined
Oct 6, 2010
Messages
13,870
Reaction score
739
Points
423
Location
Morrow Co ~ Ohio
It would be difficult to get the amount of milk needed for cheese from a llama. While it's certainly possible to milk one and drink the milk, you'd need quite a few to get enough for cheese or butter.
 

kstaven

Purple Cow/Moderator
Golden Herd Member
Joined
Jul 3, 2008
Messages
2,011
Reaction score
39
Points
158
Location
BC, Washington border
Never tried it. Some animals produce less than palatable milk so you may want to taste it before attempting cheese. The volume would be less than many animals, but people milk yaks. Who knows ... You just may develop a new niche market.
 

Stacykins

Overrun with beasties
Joined
Oct 7, 2011
Messages
476
Reaction score
8
Points
76
Pretty sure in South America llamas are used as dairy animals (also used for meat, not just fiber), since they were domesticated long before other livestock were imported by Europeans. But I don't think they were ever huge producers, and likely llamas here in the U.S. have just enough for their cria since they haven't been bred for milk production. BUT I bet you could do it like some people do with goats. Pull the cria in the evening, let her fill up during the night, milk in the morning, and then reunite the pair for the day.
 

Genipher

True BYH Addict
Joined
Oct 9, 2011
Messages
645
Reaction score
689
Points
273
Location
Oregon
I had read some blurb about llama cheese in Wisonsin which is what got me wondering...

I thought that if this idea was feasible then, as kstaven said, I could open up a new niche market. Once I got a llama or two, that is.;)
But it sounds like milking a llama would be just as difficult as milking a sheep or donkey. I think I'll just direct my focus toward the (somewhat easier) goats.
 

ksalvagno

Alpaca Master
Joined
Jun 1, 2009
Messages
7,899
Reaction score
46
Points
263
Location
North Central Ohio
Llama and alpaca teats are smaller than Nigerian Dwarf teats. It is a HUGE pain to milk them. Not to mention that they really really really don't like to be milked. You could certainly try it but you won't get milk out of them like you would a goat or cow. After personal experience, I would never want to milk a llama or alpaca for my personal milk.
 
Top