Hetts use llamas to guard sheep flock
By ROWENA PLETT
Staff writer
For more than 10 years now, Don Hett of Marion has used llamas to guard flocks of sheep, especially newborns, against coyotes.
The first llama, purchased in 1993, is known as Lenny. Lenny is a friendly llama that likes to sniff people and give them a little kiss, if they are willing. Sometimes, in play, he bumps them from behind. He doesn't like to be petted or touched, however.
At a cost of $400, Hett figures Lenny paid for himself in one year, considering the price of sheep.
The second llama, Tony Llama, isn't as friendly and can be mean, so family members keep their distance.
Hett has found that when the two llamas are placed in the same flock, they stay together. He said its difficult to separate them.
They communicate by making humming sounds or taking various ear, body, and tail postures.
"If you get a llama in a corner, he'll spit on you or kick if you get too close," Hett said.
He said the characteristic which makes llamas ideal to live among sheep is their curiosity. Any disturbance among the sheep is quickly checked. Coyotes flee when they see the llamas and are chased away with great speed.
The llamas always stay with the flock and are constantly on guard and watching, with heads held high.
Hett has found that llamas have several advantages over dogs as guards. For one thing, if the flock splits into two groups, a llama will stay with one group and protect it well. A dog will try to guard both, making it difficult to do a good job. Also, dogs need to be fed separate food, but llamas eat the same feed that sheep eat. They can live on any kind of hay or forage.
Hett acknowledged that llamas are quickly intimidated and if challenged, would quickly run away.
"Don't tell that to the coyotes," he said.
He said he leaves coyotes alone if they aren't bothering the sheep, but if they begin to cause trouble, he feels the need to hunt them down and get rid of them.
At present, Hett has approximately 1,275 sheep, including 400 mature ewes, 400 yearlings, 400 baby lambs, and 70-80 ewes in the process of lambing.
Hett markets wool and fat lambs from his flock. He also runs beef cows and harvests prairie hay and alfalfa for sale.
He and his wife, Dawn, live four miles south of Marion. They have three children ages two to seven.
More about llamas
Llamas are members of the camel family. They are among the world's oldest domestic animals.
Millions of llamas can be found in South America, where they are used as beasts of burden and for their meat, wool, hides, and manure pellets as fuel. They also are used in sacrificial rituals.
An estimated 65,000 llamas now reside in the United States and Canada. They are used primarily for recreational purposes and are becoming increasingly popular as 4-H, Scout, and FFA projects. Of course, they also are used to guard other animals, as in the Hetts' case.
Llamas live 15-29 years and weigh from 200-450 pounds. They can be solid black or white, spotted, or marked, with shades of gray, beige, brown, or red.
Baby llamas are called cria. They weigh 20-35 pounds at birth.
Llamas are quick-learners. They are browsers and have a three-compartment stomach. They chew their cuds and have an efficient digestive system, making them low-cost keepers.
