Sid Update and Maybe a Buddy? NEW UPDATE

[ksalvagno]

Some people say that and some say it isn't true. The big thing is low protein if you want nice fiber. Alfalfa has high protein and that will make the fiber coarse. I feed my alpacas grass hay. If you fed alfalfa for a little while, not a big deal. Males that aren't used for breeding just don't need a high protein diet. I don't know if llamas have a problem with urinary problems like goats can. I haven't had any camelid males in 5 years now and previously never had any issues (own alpacas for over 13 years now). I don't know if Mully has come across any issues since she has several males.

The males hit 3 years old and the testosterone seems to go into high gear. That is usually when the problems with males fighting starts. If you plan to geld the new male, I probably wouldn't put them together until after he is gelded and given some time for the testosterone to leave his body. Definitely helps that you don't have any females around.

 

[SkyWarrior]

Some people say that and some say it isn't true. The big thing is low protein if you want nice fiber. Alfalfa has high protein and that will make the fiber coarse. I feed my alpacas grass hay. If you fed alfalfa for a little while, not a big deal. Males that aren't used for breeding just don't need a high protein diet. I don't know if llamas have a problem with urinary problems like goats can. I haven't had any camelid males in 5 years now and previously never had any issues (own alpacas for over 13 years now). I don't know if Mully has come across any issues since she has several males.

The males hit 3 years old and the testosterone seems to go into high gear. That is usually when the problems with males fighting starts. If you plan to geld the new male, I probably wouldn't put them together until after he is gelded and given some time for the testosterone to leave his body. Definitely helps that you don't have any females around.

You folks have really been a huge help -- especially just the encouragement. I was sure people were going to tell me I was off my rocker taking in an animal that I knew little about. And yet, he has come around so well and I've gotten my packing Malamutes used to him (he is very used to dogs) that I think when we pack in the springtime, all the animals will be packing and that will be so fun.

The Malamutes have decided that Sid's an odd member of the pack. Their basic complaint is that he can eat on the trail and they can't eat what he does, so I've brought biscuits when I remember them. One of my dogs, Haegl, actually tried to steal Sid's grass from his mouth, which annoyed Sid, but beyond that, didn't cause much mayhem. Haegl is so much into everyone being his friend that he thinks the llama should share. Haegl is definitely not aggressive, which surprised me because Malamutes are so prey driven. I think it comes down to the Malamutes have accepted the llamas as weird pack members and tried to sniff Sid's butt. Sid has none of that and the Malamutes respect those legs.

We keep them on leash and the llamas on leads and it all works out great with the Malamutes walking nicely beside the llama.

 

[ksalvagno]

That is great that the dogs are getting along with the llamas. Makes life easier!

 

[SkyWarrior]

Yet another update. I passed on the suri llama because the owner was almost insistent that I buy her stock trailer.

I'm still looking for a buddy for Sid in Western Montana. Preferably free.

On a good note, Sid is finally up to a good weight. I can't play a tune on his ribs anymore and his sternum and legs finally have meat on them. The poor guy was really starved and maybe had a parasite load.

I've expanded his pen. Now that hunting season is over, I can take him for walks again. We took him snowshoeing (us on snowshoes -- not him! ) and the two packing Malamutes and they all did great. The Malamutes love Sid and get really excited when he's around. The only problem is that they want to sniff his butt like a dog!

I'm really surprised but they've taken a shine to him. He likes going with them, which is good. The big problem has been him stepping on my snowshoes -- he's not used to humans with big feet!