Anyone beside experience next to llamas?
I'm considering buying a llama to help guard livestock, but I am worried about it being aggressive towards the other animals on my arable farm.(dogs,cats, goats,cows, and a horse). Any information is appreciated.
I'd verbalize to others that have llamas to be sure. I was spit surrounded by the face once by a llama so I'm a bit leary of them.
They will chase off your dog and likely your cat- anything they perceive as a predator that may threaten the livestock. I would cause sure the llama has been around other stock up to that time you bring it home, you should not have problems with the cows, goats, or horse.
Answers: It depends on the llama. Try to find one that has already been introduced to many different types of animals. Llamas enjoy a natural dislike of canines (that is why they make good guardians, but save in mind that not ALL llamas make appropriate guardians). They can swot to tolerate dogs. I keep a Great Pyrenees in my pasture and the llamas know and trust her because she knows the appropriate body native tongue to show them she isn't a threat since she is a livestock guardian herself.
I have lots of barn cats, they get along fine with them. In reality the cats like to sleep in the hay feeders and sometimes they will cuddle up to a kushed llamas.
I have never see any of my llamas act in an aggressive manner toward my goats. You do not want to preserve an intact adult male llama with goats however. A gelding (preferably gelded at around 18 months of age, beforehand they reach breeding age) or a female make the best guardian.
Cows and horses are more predictable to cause harm to the llama than the other way around. 1 suitable kick from a large animal like that could do profusely of damage to a llama.
llamas are great lovers
