Ranch Setup, Shelters, and Solutions to Common Problems
Here in Oregon, we get our share our rain. This last year was worse than others and I ran into my share of problems coping with it. Below are some of my ideas that have helped me in keeping a safe and comfortable place for my llamas.
I had noticed the ground in the barn (built in 1927) was becoming damp during last year's rain. I also had to trench one side, water was running into gopher holes under the barn. and little springs were popping up in the middle of the barn.
I purchased some plastic sheeting and cut it to fit the area (be careful you could slip on the plastic sheet). Then I placed a clean used carpet on the plastic sheet. This keeps the moisture under the plastic and keeps the llamas dry when they kush for the night.
I also use carpet to place over established poo piles. Clean up the spot. Cut a carpet to lay over area. The llamas usually use the same place. This way you are raking up just the poo and not dirt and stones as before. Don't use shag, it falls apart.Solar fly bags are used to keep the fly problem down. I rake and shovel the llama poo into large clear plastic bags. Getting the fly pests at the source saves time and effort later.I tie the open end to keep the heat in. I then shred the poo into mulch to be used for sale at the local garden center and into our garden raised beds. I will also offer it on the 'Net' later. I use all the other fly stuff also.
Shelter
Electricity, heated birthing room, cable TV with camera to let you know how things are while in your home. Room for tons of hay and grain. Doors on all the stalls to keep the wet and the wind from interring. Our barn is older than the house. We have electric and water plumbed to the corner of the barn. Also a coaxial cable in case we want to install a video camera.
I have two metal carports in a pasture separated by a fence. One side are females, the other, young males. The feeders are off the ground. One end is opened enough to allow the llamas to enter easily. They are aligned with the normal flow of wind. Snow blew in this past winter on the other end. This end will be reduced to allow less wind.
Fencing your property can be an investment you need to keep your animals safe from harm. Make sure a visiting dog can not climb under your fence. Check your fence line to be sure your animals are protected. We have four foot field fencing along the outside perimeter. I do not use barbwire. To separate our stud from the girls we have ‘no climb’ fence with a hot wire at the top. Our inner fences have a combination of field fencing and the ’New Zealand’ type high tensile single strand with ratchets to keep the fence taught. Fence posts can be ‘T’ posts, treated wooden posts, and the corners should be extra strong. I used mostly 8 foot 1 7/8 pipe for fence posts. As the llamas hung over the fence this caused the field fence to slide downwards. One area I drilled holes near the top of the pipes to string the ‘NZ’ wire the length of the fence line. This kept the girls from hanging over the fence.
Gates should be purchased before putting up the fence to make the opening would be correct with the hardware. Most all of us have put the gate hardware on in a way that if a llama put his head through the gate he would lift it off the hinges. I have 4 gates within 50 feet of each. I painted them different colors so if some one is helping they would know which to open or close just by the color I asked. I have some common areas that I use just by swinging the gates out instead of in.
Always make sure you close the gate behind you! Leave it open for 9 seconds and you will find a herd of llamas in your front yard.
