Synopses & Reviews
Everything you need to know to raise lovable, profitable llamas
Llamas are fast becoming one of the best choices for backyard livestock, and this comprehensive guide will give you the expert advice you need, including tips on:
-- Buying your first llama
-- Breeding, birthing, and herd management
-- Health care, feeding, and facilities
-- Llama behavior and training
-- Using llamas as guardian and expedition animals
-- Marketing llama fleece and organic manure
Synopsis
Discover the joys of raising llamas Whether you re interested in profitably harvesting their fleece or using them as livestock guardians, this comprehensive guide provides everything you need to know to keep healthy and happy llamas. With expert advice on breeding, facilities, shearing, training, showing, and health care, Storey s Guide to Raising Llamas also includes tips on creating a viable business plan and marketing your own fiber products. Save on veterinary costs, increase your self-sufficiency, and successfully care for a thriving and productive herd of llamas."
Synopsis
Everything readers need to know about behavior, facilities, first aid, breeding, birthing, fleece harvesting, and marketing.
About the Author
Author Gale Birutta is a llama breeder and owner of Made in Vermont Llamas, owner and guide of Northeast Kingdom Llama Expeditions, and developer of the Guardian Llama Placement Program, which utilizes llamas as guards for sheep, goats, poultry, and other livestock. Gale also spends her time at a video production studio in Barre, Vermont, where her first production was a 13-week diversified agriculture series. She has arranged with the UVM Extension to produce two Across the Fence programs on guard llamas and llamas in general, as well as Vermont ETV's Points North. Gale was also previously certified as a police officer from the Morris County Police Academy in New Jersey, where she was born and raised. Gale has been an avid horsewoman for more than 20 years, and was former manager of a 20-horse hunt/show stable in New Jersey. She moved to Vermont in 1987 with her husband, John, to raise llamas after leaving the horse business. Gale has completed many years of research and development of organic fertilizer, and besides her Storey book, A Guide to Raising Llamas, Birutta has self published the books, Developing Llama Manure-Based Organic Fertilizer in 1991, and Llama Profits on a Shoestring in 1995, self published by The Homestead Press. Gale has written articles for magazines such as New England Farmer, New England Country Folks, and Agriview, and she self publishes the newsletter entitled, The Guardian Llama News as well.
Table of Contents
Foreword
Part One: Getting Started
1 Introduction to Llamas
2 Buying Your First Llama
3 Nutrition and Feeding
4 Facilities and Equipment
5 Health
6 The Herd Site
7 The Dam
8 Crias and Young Llamas
9 Breeding, Genetics, and Herd Management
Part Two: Llamas as a Business
10 Starting and Building Your Business
11 Showing
12 Packing
13 Fleece
14 Organic Fertilizer
15 Livestock Guardians
Postscript:To Always Have Llamas
Glossary
Appendix A: Associations and Organizations
Appendix B: Suppliers
Appendix C: Other Resources
Acknowledgments
Index
About the Author
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