A llama herd is a dynamic system with subgroups requiring special treatment or separation from each other. A good herd manager must pay careful attention to these groupings, especially as the herd increases in number. Keeping a precise record of transfer of animals from one subgroup to another, breeding and birthing dates and health notes will assist in developing accurate geneaolgical information and in making medical decisions.

The main herd typically consists of all the females *(bred or open) and their young offspring of both sexes. An adult male may be kept with this group if he is your choice for breeding to all of the females. Keep in mind that female llamas are induced ovalators, without a heat cycle, thus can conceive year round. Maidens are normally bred at 14-18 months of age depending on their size and the season, but have been known to be fertile as early as four months of age. Males become potent when they are 1-3 years old. Expectant mother within a few weeks of their due dates are often kept together in a separate group so they can be monitored for signs of impending delivery. When possible, they should be kept in a pasture that is easily checked. No male should be kept with this group because the scent of a female approaching delivery may stimulate breeding behavior. Even geldings or juvenile males may pose a threat to the baby by attempting to breed during the birthing.

Llama babies have special nutritional needs. Many breeders provide free-choice feed supplements for babies, who begin nibbling at solid food when they are only a few days old. A creep feeder, an area which babies can enter to obtain special or additional feed without competition from adults, may be free-standing or partitioned off inside the barn. Large llamas can be denied access by making the entrance only 30-34" high. A 4" high threshold board will keep adults from crawling through the entry way.

Babies ready for weaning should be separated from their mothers for at least one month. Weaning is usually done when the baby is 4-6 months old, depending on its size and the condition of both mother and baby. By the time the baby is able to provide for its own nutritional needs, and the other, who is usually rebred, may be nutritionally stressed if she must produce large quantities of milk for a nursing juvenile while supporting her growing fetus. Note that the key to weaning is separated, and either mother or baby may be removed from the main herd. Many breeders feel that removing the mother creates less stress on the baby, who remains in familiar surroundings. Separation of a pregnant mother also presents less of a management problem since she can be kept with juvenile males, geldings or even with a stud. Separation by a single fence is not adequate because the baby may nurse through the fence. Stress on both mother and baby will be reduced if they are out of each other's sight.

Juvenile males (6-24 months of age) are often treated as a separate group. These young males can cause problems in the main herd by "play breeding" the females which may trigger ovulation, and confuse or disrupt a controlled breeding program. Juvenile males should be separated from adult males by more than one fence line, since the youngsters seem compelled to pester until they provoke an attack.

Gelded (castrated) males of any age can usually be kept together without problems. Many responsible breeders recommend gelding all males who will not be used as studs. Castration is a simple, safe and relatively inexpensive veterinary procedure which is sometimes done as early as six months of age or any time thereafter. Depending on disposition and temperament, geldings may be kept with the main herd or with any other subgroup except expectant mothers.

Whole adult males represent a real management challenge because they fight. Fighting males scream and bash into each other so violently that they may cause serious damage to themselves or to your facility. Even across a single fence they may cause enough commotion to disturb the neighbors and disrupt the peaceful atmosphere of your llama ranch. The most satisfactory way to deal with stud llamas is to keep each one separated from any other subgroup and from other studs, preferably by at least two fences. Sometimes a stud is kept with the main herd, but he may breed related females, juvenile females or females in labor, or injure young males. Some owners successfully run all males together, but they must be kept out of sight of females.

Newly acquired llamas are a subgroup for which separation accommodations may be desirable. Depending on the information available about the health and management of the herd of origin and whether new animals have entered the herd recently, it may be wise to provide a quarantine pen or field to isolate newcomers for a reasonable period of time until their health status is certain. A quarantine area should be organized so that contact with other llamas is not possible.

Llama Herd Management ILA Educational Brochure#7; Authors: Paul and Sally Taylor; Cover Design: Patricial Waters. Paul and Sally Taylor have been llama breeders since 1975. Sally was one of four founding Directors of the International Llama Association, served on ILA's board from 1982 to 1985 and is Director of the International Llama Registry. In 1982 Paul retired from dentistry to devote full time to llama ranching. He has been an ILA Director, organized the first major registry for llamas in North America and was active in legislative and international political matters on behalf of ILA. The Taylors are respected authorities on llama care and management. In 1986 they co-produced the All About Llamas videotape series, and they have written many articles on herd management, breeding, birthing and care of newborn llamas.

For more information or to order additional copies contact: International Llama Association, P.O. Box 1891, Kalispell, MT 59903. Telephone: 406-257-0282 Fax: 406-257-8780; Email ILA@InternationalLlama.org or visit their site http://www.internationalllama.org/; Updated, August 1994; Copyright © 1989 International Llama Association. This publication may be reprinted if done so in complete form and credit is given.