Llama Keeper
Llama Keeper experience come and take care of Piper the Llama New for 2020
New for 2023 Llama Keeper with our latest addition at Hensting Alpacas, Primrose the llama had a baby called Piper so you will get to look after Piper. Unfortunately, Primrose is so strong now we have had to take her out of circulation as he can be quite grumpy. Piper will now take her place and is so excited to meet you! Children must be accompanied by an adult 1 child and 1 adult = 1 ticket you cannot leave 2 children without an adult
Come and be the keeper at Hensting Alpacas. You will have a member of staff totally to yourselves. You will accompany them around the farm and muck in with the jobs as follows:
How do I look after the Llama?
- 9am start, first job meets the staff and introduction to your trainer
- Help put out hay around the farm and (poo pick 15 mins max)
- Meet Piper and give her and the alpacas their feeds
- Take photos for social media
- Take Primrose for a short gentle slow walk around the land, while being taught all about her, llamas in general and of course the alpacas here in the UK and their native lands.
- A short tea break (bring pic-nic if you wish)
- A few more photos than a browse around the little shop and away by 12:15ish
- Children must be accompanied by an adult 1 child and 1 adult = 1 ticket you cannot leave 2 children without an adult
MORNING WALKS 2 people 1 Llama £80inc vat Special (normal price £85) 09:00 am - 12pm 1 child and 1 adult = 1 ticket. Children cannot be left unaccompanied. You cannot leave your children with us they must be with an adult.
The gates close at 08:55am so please do not be late as we are a long way away from them by 10am2 people 1 Llama £80 inc vat Special 09:00 am - 12pm Book carefully Cancellations or moving dates are not accepted
Kiln Lane, Brambridge, Eastleigh, Hampshire, SO50 6HT
What Three Words hello.debate.goes
Outside Southern Water Gates Lay-by just on left, before railway bridge when travelling west down Kiln Lane
Or from Brambridge Park gardens, turn left out of their gates, travel over 2 hump bridges and you will see a lay-by on left with tall iron gates (if you go under the railway line, you have gone too far). A representative from Hensting Llamas will be at the Parking facilities are on site and you will be directed where to park from the entrance gates.
Wellington boots are available to hire when it is muddy
Here are some interesting Llama facts you may not know:
- Llamas are a part of the family, which includes camels. They were originally found in North America, in the Central Plains, nearly ten million years ago. These were the predecessors of facts state the llama and not the same animals that we know. They migrated into the area that is now South America about two and a half while their camel cousins moved to the Middle East, and other places. The family became extinct in North America about twelve thousand years ago.
- Llamas were originally domesticated in Peru about six thousand years ago, and they're among the first animals domesticated of those which are with us today. They were used mainly for hauling and carrying, but the people of that day killed them. They ate the meat, used the manure for fuel and the hides to make shelters. They used to sacrifice them to their gods of the day.
- There are llamas and approximately seven million alpacas in South America today, per estimates. In Canada and the United States, there are approximately two hundred guanacos, llamas that are sixty-five thousand and seven thousand alpacas. The llama is available many places worldwide, even as far as New Zealand. There, they use the wool to get their fiber market. The llama is still crucial to the practice of agriculture in Peru, Chile, Bolivia, and Argentina. In North America, too, llama and the alpaca are a part of our agricultural livelihood.
Llamas live to approximately twenty-nine years. They weigh between four hundred fifty pounds and two hundred. They stand about three to four feet at their shoulder. Llamas may be seen in colors that are seen or solid, and in unique patterns. Their wool color can range from roan, red, brown, beige, gray, and black to white. - Llamas may be bred for the first time when they're sixteen to 2 years old. They don't go into heat in cycles so that they can be bred at any time of year. The female llama, facts say, delivers her young while she is standing up, and she normally does not require any help. The baby is called a cria. Llamas give birth in the daytime, and twins happen only rarely. The newborn cria weighs between thirty-five and twenty lbs, and they're usually nursing within ninety minutes of arrival. The baby is usually weaned from its mother at about four to six months of age.
During the walk, feel free to take pictures of the animals and of the natural scenery; we also take lots of pictures and post them up to our social network sites, since those who have already visited us or enjoyed this walking adventure, often ask us to post new pictures of ‘their Llama’, whom they somehow miss even after just one meeting! Indeed, many families return time and time again, building a friendship with us and a very special bond with the Llamas
Llama or Alpaca - Do I Eat It or Wear It?
When you see Peru, there are four camelids you will see: the vicuna, guanaco, llama, and alpaca. They are so called because they are essentially camels with no hump. Vicunas and guanacos are normally easier when it comes to spotting the gap, but people can struggle with llamas and alpacas.
These creatures have four things in common coats, long pointed ears, thick lashes, and massive eyes. And watch out... like camels, they could spit although they're more inclined to do this at each other instead of at humans.
Llamas
Llamas are the largest of the four and can weigh 136 kg or up to 300 pounds. In Peru, they are primarily used as pack animals and for their wool. Males carry 175 or up to 80 kg pounds for a day's march. In Bolivia, these creatures are also often eaten. Their droppings may be used as a source of fuel.
Interestingly, I recently read an entry on llamas that says they're being used for therapy, as they are soothing and tender with docile temperaments. Which fascinates me because, as far as the ones I encounter on the streets of Cusco, the main word I would use to describe them is cranky. Although not friendly to most, they are extremely obedient to their owners. Granted, this may have something to do with being dragged around the stone streets waiting for visitors to take photos.
They learn new things and are animals that are intelligent. They are sometimes used as guard animals as they are capable of learning the difference between creatures like dogs and coyotes.
Concerning determining whether is a llama or an alpaca, if it with an indigenous person in a brightly colored outfit who asks you in case you'd love to have a picture, it a llama. If you see them out it harder to tell if they don't side by side. Llamas are larger. While those of the alpaca is straight, their ears are curved. The backs of llamas are straighter than those of alpacas.
Llamas appear to descend from the guanaco, a South American camelid. From the Incan empire, both llamas and alpacas were often sacrificed in rituals.
Alpacas
Smaller than llamas can weigh up to a bit less than 80 kg or up to 175 pounds. They are prized for their wool that is of finer quality than that of the llama. They are too small to be used as pack animals. They are prized in Peru for the meat quality. It's high protein and low in fat and cholesterol yet very flavorful.
These creatures are descended from the vicuna and thrive in areas that are dry and in high altitude between 3900 and 4800 meters. The quality of their wool suffers as a result if they're kept at elevation. Although quite soft, the wool is also very strong, stronger than that of the Merino sheep. A particular breed called the Suri has hair that is thicker, longer and finer than that of the alpaca. There are 22 colors with a range of variances beyond those.
