Storey's Guide to Raising Llamas: Care/Showing/Breeding/Packing/Profiting [Paperback]

Gale Birutta (Author)

Book Description

Series: Storey's Guide to Raising | Publication Date: January 5, 1997

Everything readers need to know about behavior, facilities, first aid, breeding, birthing, fleece harvesting, and marketing.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

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

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.

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Storey Publishing, LLC; 2nd edition (January 5, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580173284
• ISBN-13: 978-1580173285
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #341,666 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The essential book for new llama owners, July 17, 2001

By 

Melanie B. McMurry (Edgewood, NM USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Storey's Guide to Raising Llamas: Care/Showing/Breeding/Packing/Profiting (Paperback)

I first got this book when I bought my first llamas a few years ago. It was the one recommended to me by the breeder. Since then, it is the book I recommend to all those just starting out with llamas. It is also the book I recommend to those who just think they might want llamas. The book has information on everything, from basic conformation to packing and showing. What it lacks in depth of information, it more than makes up for in references. I still run to this book when I have questions, and have read it through several times. If you are thinking about getting a couple of llamas or a whole herd, read this book first!

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Book Review, September 11, 2003

By 

Karin Carmack (POWHATAN, VA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Storey's Guide to Raising Llamas: Care/Showing/Breeding/Packing/Profiting (Paperback)

I found this book to be somewhat helpful, but lacking in a lot of areas. For example they did not go into a lot of details on llama care. (i.e. worming schedules, types of wormers, shearing practices etc.) Good if you are into breeding. I am just an individual that has two llamas as pets and wanted detailed info. on their care.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent starter book for novices, May 21, 2001

By 

John Halliburton (Toccoa, Ga USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Storey's Guide to Raising Llamas: Care/Showing/Breeding/Packing/Profiting (Paperback)

Gale Birutta has put together a well thought out book, that covers all aspects to owning llamas for a novice.

Chapters cover selection, care, feeding, training, etc., each in enough detail to cover the topic, without becoming boring or overbearing. Quirks of the animals were covered ( they are head shy as a breed trait), that alone kept us from making mistakes when visiting llama farms.

The information in this book was invaluable to us when we began visiting llama farms. We actually knew what we were looking at and could ask intelligent questions of the owners !!

Well done, write another !!