A few things to know about llamas and their needs
Physical Characteristics
Weight:
Adult-240-500 pounds
Birth-18-40 pounds
Rate of weight gain in crias (babies) to 1 month- ½ to 1 pound per day after day 3
Heart Rate:
Resting Respiratory Rate:
60-90/minute 36-48 breaths/minute
Temperature (rectal):
Adult-99-102 36-48 months
Crias-102
Gestation:
335-360 days
Nursing Frequency: days 1-10: 2-3 times/hour
days 10-30: 2 times/hour
Teeth:
Fighting teeth in males erupt between ages 2 and 3 years
Lower incisors are replaced between 1 ½ and 2 ½ years
Feed
Pasture: 1 acre of good grass can support 3-4 llamas during the growing season
Hay: One adult llama will consume about one 45 pound bale of 6-10% protein hay every 5-7 days. Pregnant or nursing mothers, and growing youngsters, will need supplemental protein and calories, which are most easily provided in the form of grain.
Grain: Whether to feed grain, and how much is widely debated; the long-term condition of the animal will need to be evaluated when grain decisions are made. Both pelletized and textured grain feeds sweetened with molasses ("sweet feed") are available.
