[Jacob-list] Guard Llamas

[Susan L. Nielsen]

On Sat, 21 Apr 2001, Mary Spahr wrote:

> I received the exact opposite advice from Connie about guard llamas.  
> I was told that if more than one llama was with the flock, that it 
> would bond with the other llama and not the flock, becoming useless 
> as a guardian.  Now I do not know what to believe.  Perhaps others 
> can share their experiences.

Llamas are individuals, a lot like Jacob Sheep. ;-) You have to
shop for a guard llama, just as you would for an animal that gave
you the fiber you wanted, or the hornset you want in a sheep, or
the temperament you desire in a horse. A good guardian llama will
have an instinct for territoriality and vigilance. It can be
either a male or a female, though I have been impressed with a
dam with cria as the most alert individual in my herd. Such a
woman has a lot to protect.

In my herd I have a range of behavior from an excellent dam who
spots anything out of the ordinary anywhere in the landscape, to
a fine gelding who cares for all the animals in the pasture (and
who can count!), to the village idiot for whom nothing is important 
unless he can eat it. You just can't make a general statement about 
the personalities and behavior of llamas. 

Seek your guardian with the same vigor you would shop for a flock
sire. You'll find one.

Susan
--
Susan Nielsen, Shambles Workshops      |"...Gently down the  
Beavercreek, OR, USA                   |stream..."
snielsen at orednet.org                   |           -- Anon.