guard alpaca

[manybirds]

will an alpaca guard like a llama?

 

[ksalvagno]

Most will not. They also aren't big enough to stomp a predator to death.

 

[Ms. Research]

Most will not. They also aren't big enough to stomp a predator to death.

X2. Learned a little about alpacas in the thread Llamas vs Alpacas. IMHO, I see alpacas as the source of fiber. Like I do sheep. And to guard that fiber, you need something bigger. Llamas could do the trick. kslvagno made the comment, which I've read in a few articles, that you need a trained llama to be the Protector.

But still think dogs are the way to go.

 

[ksalvagno]

I had guard llamas and loved them. They did their job. No single animal can go up against a pack though.

 

[manybirds]

Most will not. They also aren't big enough to stomp a predator to death.

X2. Learned a little about alpacas in the thread Llamas vs Alpacas. IMHO, I see alpacas as the source of fiber. Like I do sheep. And to guard that fiber, you need something bigger. Llamas could do the trick. kslvagno made the comment, which I've read in a few articles, that you need a trained llama to be the Protector.

But still think dogs are the way to go.

i think llama's are better . a llama dosn't need training. it's cheep and low maintnence. they have a natural protection/herd instict where dogs are natural predators. I know people who have had dogs go bad, but never heard of a llama hurting a protectee. a llama will automaticly fight to the bitter end to protect its herd. plus i wouldn't like big piles of dog dung in my goat/sheep pen . plus llama's are cuter and funner guess it's all personal prefferace................it could have something to do with the fact I dont like dogs though

 

[manybirds]

i've decided on llama

 

[manybirds]

go to grand harvest llama company i think thats where i'm getting mine!

 

[ksalvagno]

Just be sure that the llama is over 3 years old and has already proven to be a guard. My first "guard" llamas were young males who ended up being the first to run away. Learned my lesson and met some great llama folks who were honest about their guard llamas. Depending on size of herd, multiple llamas are great too. For a while I had 2 guard llamas and one would herd the alpacas back to barn and the other one would stay with the predator. Some sheep herds even use 3 llamas. Usually one will herd the sheep to safety and the other 2 will deal with the predator.

 

[Ms. Research]

Most will not. They also aren't big enough to stomp a predator to death.

X2. Learned a little about alpacas in the thread Llamas vs Alpacas. IMHO, I see alpacas as the source of fiber. Like I do sheep. And to guard that fiber, you need something bigger. Llamas could do the trick. kslvagno made the comment, which I've read in a few articles, that you need a trained llama to be the Protector.

But still think dogs are the way to go.

i think llama's are better . a llama dosn't need training. it's cheep and low maintnence. they have a natural protection/herd instict where dogs are natural predators. I know people who have had dogs go bad, but never heard of a llama hurting a protectee. a llama will automaticly fight to the bitter end to protect its herd. plus i wouldn't like big piles of dog dung in my goat/sheep pen . plus llama's are cuter and funner guess it's all personal prefferace................it could have something to do with the fact I dont like dogs though

If everyone had the same likes, this World would be really boring. Wishing you luck with your llamas. Some advise, pick ksalvagno's brain about guard llamas so you can make the best judgement for your herd. I think it makes the experience with a new animal a little less tense getting to know them. Someone with experience with guard llamas, I would.

 

[Rose Grey Alpaca]

Yes, alpacas can guard over other animals.