Kiko Goats

Curious about how llamas work with the herd? Watch them with a doe kidding on open pasture... Our rental pastures are challenging for the guardians during kidding because they are wide open. There are no shrubs or trees for a doe vulnerable at delivery to seek cover. We have ground and aerial predators. The llamas recognize this and stay very close to any animal that seems vulnerable - or that separates from the herd. In this video Agatha, one of our New Zealand does, is kidding twins, and she reminds them that close is nice, but not TOO close. Kiko kids are very vigorous at birth, and with multiples, the firstborn can wander a bit while their siblings are being born. When that happens, the llamas stay with them until their dam finishes and can collect them all. Notice also the way the guardians - llamas and livestock guardian dogs - work together. Llamas generally stay very close to the herd, while the dogs disperse and guard the perimeter. Of course, birth means clean up, so the dogs come in. Bud, the llama, makes it clear to Willie that he is not allowed near until Bud says so. Will E talks back, but respects the boundaries.