Lora
Sizzlin Hot
Check here for information about open ranches, clinics and other opportunities to come out and see the llamas.
OPEN
RANCH
December 11 & 12, 2009 - Come to the open ranch and participate in Llamas and Alpacas 101. Learn the truth and put the myths to rest at this informative event. FREE ADMISSION both days! Spinning demonstration. Packing Demonstration. Learn about herd management, llama health, breeding and much, much more! Coffee and goodies will be provided. Bring your rain gear and ranch ready boots in case of rain. The ranch is located on Golf Link Road in Turlock, just north of Bradbury Road. Take the Bradbury Road exit from Hwy 99 and turn right on Golf Link Road. The ranch is on the left. Call 209-632-6891 for more information. Hope to see you there!
My commitment is to help people learn more about llamas. I love to talk about llamas.
While the llama industry is still in its infancy, there has been quite a bit written about the care of llamas. The industry has published standards of care for these wonderful animals.
For many years there were no defined standards for the care of llamas. Everyone was free to use their own methods. This became a problem when the prices of llamas dropped from hundreds of thousands of dollars, down to the reasonable prices we see today. As the big money moved on to other types of animals many llamas were literally left behind in very poor conditions.
Local animal control officers were having trouble intervening as they could not argue before a judge that the minimum standards of care were not being met. There were no standards!
An Ad Hoc group was formed to address this issue and with the support of several prominent llama associations over the course of several years they developed the Standards of Care.
A more comprehensive guide is the Recommended Practices that compliments the foundation laid by the Standards of Care. They have also endorsed the guide on Biosecurity.
Standards of Care
This is a short 2 page flyer detailing the minimum standards for the care of camelids, of which llamas are a major part.
Recommended Practices
This 11 page guide provides the basic recommended practices that all llama farms should follow.
Biosecurity
Llamas tend to become part of the family and their well being is often more than a simple financial consideration. Biosecurity evokes images of Homeland Security Agents and terrorists, but the reality is every time you leave and come back to the farm you could be introducing some new exotic bug to your herd. This practice includes the steps you need to take to insure your herd health. Not a responsibility to be taken lightly.
For more information about the important work that the Camelid Community Standards of Care Working Group has produced and additional downloads go to http://www.camelidcare.info/.
Here is a link to more detailed information about caring for your llamas.
http://home.att.net/~lostcreekllamas/basiccare.html