Well, I went and looked at the two year old jenny. She was kept with a ewe that had lambs last year-and was fine with them. The price of $300 seems reasonable. Sounds pretty good so far. I was all ready to say we would take her, then my husband says what about a llama?

Yes, what about a llama? He thinks the idea of getting wool and a guardian would be a better deal. I looked on the internet and found the llamas to be very high priced. Is there anyone one in southern WI that has a llama to sell as a guardian? Would they be recommended over donkey? I thought my mind was made up, and the neighbors lost more lambs to dogs-so we have a real need.

Comments would be appreciated. Thanks Tami in WI

-- Tami in WI (windridg@chorus.net), May 08, 2001

Answers

Tami, we just got an 8 year old jenny a few months ago. She's fine with the goats, and the children (and myself) can ride her. I don't know how she would be at protecting anything because she was raised with dogs, but we dont have a predator problem here. She does keep the steers in line by accosting them if they get rowdy. She is incredibly sweet and wants to be your friend and get treats. She did try to kill the ducks when we first got them but is nice now.

I hate llamas. We live across the road from a llama ranch. They are ugly and spit. Around here people give them away and some folks eat them. With a donkey you would also have a sweet, lovable friend, I don't know if you could ever be friends with a llama :-)

-- Julie (julieamc@excite.com), May 08, 2001.

Tami, We have a llama as a guardian and he is wonderful. We have had no problems with any animal trying to get near our goats and sheep. He is beautiful and a very nice animal to be around. He has never ever spit on anyone and the ONLY time that he has spit has been when our new llama we just got last week spit at him. I can not imagine anyone eating a llama, that would be rediculous. Yes, they can be very pricey, but look at yahoo classifieds and I am sure you will find some in your area. I know there are some in Southern Minnesota that are not that expensive too. Just remember a gelded llama is what you want and ideally you should only have one, not two. One will do the job actually better than two because they tend to bond more with the animals. They are less costly to maintain than a dog and a donkey. They can be real standoffish, but they do take their guardian responsibilities seriously. I know ours is worth every penney we paid for him plus lots more. Take care, Julie (MN)

-- Julie (dabanks@harbornet.net), May 08, 2001.

I forgot to add, that YES you can be friends with a llama. Ours loves us and is always up to a big hug around his neck, he LOVES to go for walks on his lead and he is our big buddy!! Take care, Julie (MN)

-- Julie (dabanks@harbornet.net), May 08, 2001.

Ditto on the llama info! I have a wonderful llama. She has been raised with my goats & her guarding instincts are starting to kick in. You can find reasonably priced llamas almost anywhere. They make wonderful pets if you spend the time with them. Just the same as I am sure there are plenty of nasty donkeys. My llama always comes up for hugs & kisses. She has never once spit on anyone or anything. I'm not saying she never will, but gee, that's like saying all donkeys will kick or bite. You can't throw them all into the same catagory. They are all individuals & it depends on how they were raised.

-- Wendy (weiskids@yahoo.com), May 08, 2001.

Another possibility would be a sheep protection dog - Great Pyrenees or Old English. We got a free Pyrenees in So Wisconsin, who has been a loyal and protective dog for the last 4 years. Gentle as could be to the family, but won't let the neighbors' dogs even stop by!

-- David C (fleece@eritter.net), May 08, 2001.

My friend has a male Llama, chocolate, for 200 dollars, he's not grown up yet. And another friend has GP's for 100 dollars. They are both in Kentucky. I am afraid of her Llamas, they pin their ears and stare at me, but they have never come after me. Of course, I have never went in the pen without my friend, and I never would! I am partial to Jennys, but you must be careful with your own dogs, as the jenny might hurt them.

-- Cindy in KY (solidrockranch@hotmail.com), May 09, 2001.

One more comment about llamas..One of the main reasons people may be afraid of llamas is because they ARE doing their job of protecting. Ours does not let the 2 legged strangers in with the goats and sheep either unless I go in there with them and then he basically just ignores them and after awhile he will go up and check them out, but I have had many little children in with him and he seems to really like little kids. Another thing is that llamas are just like any other animal, when they sense fear they get afraid of whoever is giving off the "fear vibes" and they will follow their instincts then. One day my mother walked past him in the barn and she "felt fear crawl down her spine" and boy did he follow her with his ears back! She has since relaxed more around him and he leaves her alone. I don't know about you, but I WANT my llama to keep people away from the sheep and goats too. There are always nuts out there stealing for a meal or for worse intentions. I don't think llamas are right for everyone, but we chose a llama over a donkey because of all the horror stories of donkeys being too rough with the other animals and we chose over a dog because you do not have to train a llama and I dont'have the time to train a dog, altho I do love dogs and have 3 of them but they are mostly indoors or out in a kennel. I think donkeys are fun wonderful animals too but the llamas do so well and would do anything for their "flock". take care and choose whatever is best for yourself, Julie (MN)

-- Julie (dabanks@harbornet.net), May 09, 2001.

I've used both for guard work so I'll add my two cents. Llamas are generally not as lovey-dovey to humans as are most donks, but if you want this animal for guardian work that shouldnt be a factor. Either one must be socialized to humans enough to handle when it needs handling. I found llamas take the job of guarding more seriously, as long as they're the only one. It isnt really because they care deeply about the sheep/goats/whatever though; its because they instinctly are suspicious of and protective against predator-type critters. I believe llamas are also often very successful as guardians simply because they are 'foreign' to this continent; most North American predators are wary of them because they're totally unfamiliar with their mannerisms and smell. By the way, llamas almost never spit at humans! They will spit at each other when they are arguing, but a llama that spits at humans without provocation has most likely been mistreated, and would be a bad choice anywho.

Donkeys are more likely to require training for their job; they naturally bond with humans, are very playful by nature, and often are more interested in having a good time (sometimes at the expense of their charges) than doing serious work.

On a practical level, don't forget about feet trimming. It's pretty easy to find a farrier who knows how to do donks feet (but they are NOT done the same way as horses, so be sure they have experience!), but it can be difficult to find someone to do a llama foot. YOu may have to do it yourself. And there's the coat. A llama MUST be brushed, how often depends on the individual's coat, but at least as often as a long-haired dog. Course if you want to use the wool, a llama would have the advantage. I imagine you know that either way you go, make sure you don't use an intact male.

As far as whether llamas (or donkeys) are ugly.......well obviously that's a personal thing. I think they're both beautiful, but beauty's in the eye of the beholder, aint it? I think chihuahua's are ugly, but lotsa folks find them adorable!

-- Earthmama (earthmama48@yahoo.com), May 09, 2001.

I say go for the donkey. You already know she has been around sheep and lambs and was okay. And the price is good. Llamas can be good as well, but not everyone is suited to be a guard animal and I'm sure you wil find they are more expensive.At least with this donkey you already have some of her history. Kate

-- Kate henderson (kate@sheepyvalley.com), May 10, 2001.

Ahhh, the ol' circle ~ shall it be a livestock guardian dog, llama or donkey! -G-

My main trail riding partner is a Mammoth donkey. He's on 30 acres with my Hampshire hog, Dexter steer, chooks and guineas. They all stink as guards! -LOL-

Anyhoo, what I wanted to say is this; if you get a donkey, just any ol' donk won't do. They could maim/kill your stock. It's best to get a donk who's been raised for the job. One is best, since 2 may buddy up and ignore the stock, altho once in a while you hear of 2 that are successful. The Standards are used. Jennys or geldings. There are breeders who raise these critters. Weanlings (about 6 months old) are placed with stock (poultry, cattle, sheep, goats, etc.) and they can't see/smell other donkeys. They grow up with the stock.

-- ~Rogo (rogo2020@yahoo.com), May 12, 2001.