errs
Exploring the pasture
- Joined
- Feb 21, 2010
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Hello! I just joined the forum today - following a link from Back Yard Chickens.
My husband & I are moving to a five acres in three weeks. In additional to a lovely house, barn and shed, there's a llama. We know his name, we believe he's a gelding and he is registered (we get the registration papers at the house closing). That's it.
I'm looking for any and all advice - I've dealt with horses, chickens, goats and cows at various time in my life, but no llamas. I've got a ton of books on order but I'd also like the advice from folks who live with llamas.
It is my understanding that llamas are herd animals and you shouldn't have one all by his/her lonesome. We have no idea of his history, so should we try to find him a companion? Is there any way to judge his quality of life? We were able to walk through his pasture (one of the out buildings is located there, and the owners told us to walk on through during our showing of the property) without incident. He followed behind us at a slow pace, seeming more curious than anything. I believe he's got a nice area for a dust bath, and an indoor shelter.
We're buying the property to get out of the suburbs and be able to breed our dogs. We currently have three English Mastiffs that we show and I'm planning on breeding my oldest girl this summer. The dogs will have their own fenced area on the property and live in the house.
So, how do I 'introduce' the llama to the dogs? I know how to handle my dogs with new things so they aren't stressed, but have no clue how to let the llama know that my dogs aren't predators? I'm looking for the best way to do this so that we can all get along peacefully without anybody (any animal?) freaking out when the dogs go outside.
Thanks in advance.
My husband & I are moving to a five acres in three weeks. In additional to a lovely house, barn and shed, there's a llama. We know his name, we believe he's a gelding and he is registered (we get the registration papers at the house closing). That's it.
I'm looking for any and all advice - I've dealt with horses, chickens, goats and cows at various time in my life, but no llamas. I've got a ton of books on order but I'd also like the advice from folks who live with llamas.
It is my understanding that llamas are herd animals and you shouldn't have one all by his/her lonesome. We have no idea of his history, so should we try to find him a companion? Is there any way to judge his quality of life? We were able to walk through his pasture (one of the out buildings is located there, and the owners told us to walk on through during our showing of the property) without incident. He followed behind us at a slow pace, seeming more curious than anything. I believe he's got a nice area for a dust bath, and an indoor shelter.
We're buying the property to get out of the suburbs and be able to breed our dogs. We currently have three English Mastiffs that we show and I'm planning on breeding my oldest girl this summer. The dogs will have their own fenced area on the property and live in the house.
So, how do I 'introduce' the llama to the dogs? I know how to handle my dogs with new things so they aren't stressed, but have no clue how to let the llama know that my dogs aren't predators? I'm looking for the best way to do this so that we can all get along peacefully without anybody (any animal?) freaking out when the dogs go outside.
Thanks in advance.