Llamas instinctively deposit their manure in communal dung piles. This trait may reduce the spread of internal parasites, because the animals will not eat the grass near any of these piles. Llama dung is pelletized and nearly odorless. In the high, dry environment of the Andes, llama pellets are used by the Indians for fuel. Dried pellets burn much like charcoal briquets, but the smoke has a pungent aroma. Llama dung usually does not cause a serious odor or fly problem, but most owners clean up the dung in barns, corrals and pens. Though fresh dung may be used for fertilizer without burning garden plants, it is usually composted in large piles along with used bedding materials like straw or sawdust, and waste feed or moldy hay. After a year or more the composted material may be mixed into garden soil for an excellent fertilizer or used on the surface as a mulch. Because llamas will not eat dung-contaminated grass, it is not productive to spread it on pastures except in areas that will not be grazed by llamas for several months. When introducing llamas into a new field, you may be able to designate the position of dung piles by "baiting" desired spots with dung.

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.