Housing and Fencing
Housing
The llama has an impressive ability to cope with most types of climate but requires shelter from the elements for basic comfort and health.
Llamas like to shelter from strong winds and rain and will need some shade in summer.
Large trees are excellent for shade, but if these are not available a three-sided shed will keep them cool. A shed will also double as a rain and wind shelter and, with some pens added, can be a place to handle and train your llamas.
It’s advisable to monitor the weather forecast at shearing time so as not to release newly shorn llamas into paddocks in very cold or wet weather. If bad weather occurs soon after shearing and no shed is available, try to keep llamas in a sheltered paddock and monitor them closely until the weather improves.
Old or sick llamas may need to be separated from the herd for various periods to enable medical treatment. A small paddock with a shelter and within sight of the other llamas is ideal for this purpose.
Fencing
When llamas are content within their living group they are respectful of fencing and can generally be confined by a four-foot fence of any type.
As long as llamas have adequate feed on their side of the fence, and are not presented with any tasty treats on the other side, they will seldom put pressure on the fence. Generally sheep fencing is adequate.
Barbed wire and star pickets are not recommended as they can cause injuries. Electric fencing may be used but is not usually necessary.