Mini Llama Care
Miniature llamas are very easy animals to take care of.  The following information is a brief overview of the care mini llamas need.  Always consult with your veterinarian for specific questions regarding care of your mini llamas.



Water - Mini llamas should have access to fresh, clean water at all times. 

Pasture - Mini llamas do very well on green pastures.  If their diet is solely pasture, a source of minerals should be provided.  Pastures should always be checked to make sure there are no poisonous plants to llamas before you turn your llamas out into it.

Hay - Many miniature llama owners will have to supplement their llamas' diets with hay during different parts of the year.  Mini llamas do best on grass hay.  Straight alfalfa hay is not good for llamas and can cause problems with urinary tract blockage in males.  For winter feeding, with no pasture available, about a flake and a half of hay, per mature animal, is sufficient.  Make sure to provide a source of minerals to your mini llamas too.

Grain - Mini llamas enjoy grain.  You can either feed grain daily or just as a treat.  There are grains made especially for llamas or you can get a grain mix made up at the local feedstore for your llamas.

Minerals - Miniature llamas are not "lickers" and solid block types of minerals do not work well for them.  They need to be fed a loose-powder type of mineral, which is put into feeders or bowls for them to eat.

Treats - Some mini llamas enjoy treats like apples and carrots.  Most llamas enjoy eating grain as a treat.


Shelter - Mini llamas need shelter to get out of the wind, rain and snow.  Three-sided shelters are sufficient for llamas, but normal barns work great also.

Fencing - Miniature llamas need to be protected from potential predators like coyotes, dogs, etc.  Wire strand fencing does work, but we prefer the "no climb" fencing on our farm.  We also run an electrified smooth wire along the top of our no-climb fencing.

Shearing -  All mini llamas, regardless of fiber type, need to be shorn annually.  They can be sheared with either electric shears or hand shears.

Toenails - Minature llamas toenails need to be trimmed, generally, on a quarterly basis.  Some llamas' toenails will need to be trimmed less than that and some will need their toenails trimmed more than that.  Llamas' toenails are easy to trim with proper llama toenail clippers.

Vaccines - Generally, mini llama breeders, vaccinate their llamas with CDT annually.  Please consult your veterinarian about other vaccinations you might need in your area.

Worming - Two of the most common used wormers for mini llamas are Ivomec and Safeguard.  For specific worming schedules for your llama herd, please consult your veterinarian.