Searching Loc: Rural Southwest VA

Afternoon, rockhawk,

Llamas are herd animals that graze, like cows and goats. They get approximately a cup of supplemental grain feed a day. Trace minerals are put out for them to munch on at will. Depending on the weather, how much grass is available for them to graze on, because drought can make it necessary to REALLY supplement with hay, we probably go through 20-25 round bales a year, each weighing 700 lbs., 20 llamas, mostly all adults, that weigh between 250 - 400 lbs. each. Water for llamas, maybe a couple of gallons a day as opposed to black angus cows, herd of 38, eating 3-4 bales of hay every day during winter, drinking as much as 30 gallons of water a day. Llamas are not really happy campers in the heat. Heat stroke can be an issue. We run industrial strength fans in the summer in the barns and along with the pond which some of them plop down in, we give them a hosing down with a garden hose to cool them off. You should see them shoving one another to be the one that gets the most benefit from the water hose.

That shearing once a year, even if you aren't shearing to be able to sell their fiber, is an absolute must. They need to stay as cool as possible. Nothing like having a 400 lb. llama, like our Gypsy Rose, leaning on you while you're shearing. Since she is unusually tall -- almost 6 ft. and I am 5'2", should she get bored and impatient with being sheared, I am at a disadvantage to be sure!!

Hey, all animals take work. I just happen to really love mine. Yes, my husband would be quick to tell you that it's a rare animal I can't find a way to love!! :lol:

rockhawk95 Loc: Louisiana

why do people have kids..its like they were born...the next day they start school..day after that they graduate.... after that they graduate from college...next day they get a job..day after that they marry and have kids...tjen you are a grandfather.. then next your not to far from your grave

all of this seems to be maybe 10 years at the most....




.

AuntiE Loc: 45th Least Free State

Have you considered running a line of timed sprinklers in lieu of hosing the darlings down?

Searching Loc: Rural Southwest VA

Why, absolutely. The problem with those clever darlings is that some don't play well with one another. They never got the memo. Yes, they use my computer, but are selective in what they deem important from their perusal of reading material to see if I am treating them nicely. :lol: Some, just plain refuse, unless they are herded into the barn, to come out of the sun until they begin to walk a bit unsteadily!! I can tell you from experience that giving cold water enemas in extreme cases is not pretty. :roll: When we know the day is going to be extremely nasty with heat, we try to keep them until late in the day. Well, have to go visit those Amish. I'm late. Story of my life.

Searching Loc: Rural Southwest VA

Good memories to be sure. Wish I had a horse. Had ducks and chickens til the critters that like them for lunch, dinner, midnight snacks, got to coming too often. H**ed giving up my ducks, but they went to someone who could keep them safe.

Searching Loc: Rural Southwest VA

larry

I've raised sheep for food, Horses for fun, dogs for companionship, cats to run my life, geese to protect the house, deer for the state, captured and turned in skunks, chased the neighbors pigs off the garden, let the wild turkeys run through the place. Had a pet crow, but I outlived them all, they got old before I did, and now all I have left is the cat. and the wild birds that I feed in the summer.

I never had an elephant although i wanted one. They are just too big and expensive. I did all that stuff or the kids, I wanted them to know what it is like to be responsible for something other than their self. I hope it worked, They have all moved away, and now I only see cards and letters. I guess I didn't raise them right.

But I get another chance to mess with the grand kids. When they show up. Something to look forward too.

Searching Loc: Rural Southwest VA

Big Bird, our walk-on male peacock (he just showed up one day) is a great guard bird. The llamas are as about as inquisitive as critters get and they have scared people, getting up in their faces because they want to sniff their hair and faces. Our four dogs start barking before anybody gets halfway down our 6/10 of a mile gravel driveway back in the woods.

You know, funny thing about those kids. Guessing they're a lot like we were -- busy lives, not enough time, haven't figured out yet just how important connections in their lives people are. I keep up with the older kids (not really old, the oldest is 8) on Skype. I have a crazy life myself. Still, in the summer time, 60 hour work weeks, organic open air market, and then figuring out how to scrunch everything else in -- those cats, way too many rescue cats, the four dogs, the 20 llamas. My husband, bless his heart, wishes I would just stay home. He keeps reminding of late how old I am -- I am 66. I keep reminding him it's just a number. My oldest son's wife is terrified of lady bugs. Needless to say, they don't grace us with their presence. I have to laugh at the memory of her once asking me as we sat at their breakfast table, if I wasn't going to come and move in with them when I "retired." I laughed and said "I don't think you understand how this works. It's a way of life, not something you retire from." My son said with a sigh "I told you that's what she would say."

I did take a road trip with my cousin who lives in Troy, Alabama a couple of years ago. We wandered, we went to visit an aunt in Magnolia, Mississippi, we waded in the ocean in Pensacola, Florida and got to know one another. She's the sister I never had. Friends, I have few real friends, lots of acquaintances. When I disappeared from city life back in 2001, my city friends came infrequently down to the country (it was 250 miles away) and my trips up became more and more infrequent. We still email, still send birthday cards and I have adjusted. It's life.

larry

Yeah, isn't it something how you get so involved in just living, that all that meeting and greeting is just an extra thing. I never could find time to leave where I was to go someplace I didn't really want to be just to rub the fur. (you know what I mean). If it wasn't for email, I probably wouldn't know where they were going or doing, I just got a note from my next to youngest granddaughter, (She's 20 now, I keep thinking of her as about 14) By golly miss molly how the sprouts grow when you aren't watching. I sometimes worry about them because I miss them. I also miss some of my hunting buddies, I have no idea what happened to them or where they went. they are just as bad a me. They forget too.

Oh well, we will all meet by and by in that castle in the sky.

Keep the sunny side up and the dirt side down.

Searching Loc: Rural Southwest VA

You too -- staying vertical is really important too; those "horizontals" are like "shades" of grey -- 3 ft. above or 6 ft. under. :lol:

slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

It is interesting that you are familiar with many :?: shades of grey...been reading a lot, lately? :mrgreen:

And, are you close to the Dalai Llama? :roll: :wink: :lol:

Searching Loc: Rural Southwest VA

Kind sir, your concern over my reading habits is quite touching. Ahhh, I now understand -- my living in the woods and only having the animals to talk to -- you are concerned that my intellectual growth might be stunted :lol: and yes, I am close to the DL. How very observant of you to see that I am enlightened. :mrgreen:

PoppaGringo Loc: Muslim City, Mexifornia, B.R.

:lol: :thumbup:

slatten49 Loc: Lake Whitney, Texas

Yes....yes, it is important that you understand the depth of my concerns...regarding your intellectual growth. :wink:

I also appreciate your recognizing my perception of your obvious enlightenment. :mrgreen:

His Holiness, undoubtedly, is proud of you! :thumbup: :lol:

Searching Loc: Rural Southwest VA

Why yes, His Holiness "is" pleased, and he wishes me to convey to you "words of encouragement" that someday, you, too, may reach my level of enlightenment that he, in his wisdom, knows you aspire to achieve. He did say, however, for you to not be discouraged in your attempts to attain "my" level of enlightenment, that some individuals seem to struggle and that perhaps it might take "you" a "bit longer" than some. :roll: Oh, I almost forgot, he did ask me to convey one piece of advice -- that if you changed "your" choice of reading material, that you might achieve advancement far more rapidly. Wh**ever do you think he meant by that? :roll: :lol: