Orgling Update

Not to start this hare all over again, but we thought you might be interested in a description of real Llama breeding habits from a real-life Llama breeder who left it in commentary on a post the other day. It helps to imagine Jim Fowler reciting:

Actually, when I breed my llamas the female has her tail wrapped and is lying down flat on the ground and I help the male get situated in the right place, always sticking my hand in, down on my knees, looking to see if he's where he's supposed to be and keeping her tail out of the way. Most of them do it naturally anyway. It's called "Hand breeding" when you do it this way, making sure that if the female does get bred, you know exactly who the father is. I've only birthed two so far and I know I have two that are pregnant. If it wasn't so damn cold out, I'd go check the rest with the male because when the female does not want to be bred or is already pregnant, it's a messy fight. Males do it constantly to each other and they "play" and fight this way from the time they are born, bumping chests and all. I normally go in and break it up if it gets a wee bit too violent. It's also how they figure dominence among themselves. Females also challenge one another but not like the males do - they can be tough AND it's the only time they spit, unlike what most people think. They do a lot more than orgle when they breed; it's like they are having a heart attack. Actually, the orgle is a sound, along with the front leg caressing motion that is supposed to make the female release an egg because they don't have "heat" times like other animals do - the sound and the caressing needs to be done in order for her to release an egg, so that's why you do this again 3 days later. AND your herdshire will do this to just about anything, including a baby which is why you have to keep him separate. Breeding actually seems painful and extremely stressful for the male so it's important he's watched and taken care of afterwards.

(Voice of Marlin Perkins: I'll stand downstream while Jim hand-breeds the llamas. The sound of orgling ensures that he'll succeed.)

By the way, a clarifying note for Cindy and anyone else who may still be puzzled. When we first decided on the name "Llama Butchers" we were going for a certain ambiguity. Did we slaughter these helpless herbivores? Or were we woolly denizens of the Andes who had decided to take matters into our own hooves? Well, as things have progressed, we're pretty much entirely in the latter way of thinking now. Note our logo and our motto ("Meaty, Woolly, Snippy"), after all. Also, people generally refer to us as the Llamas. So be it. And not to worry, Cindy, we're the ones wielding the axes.

Yip! Yip! Yip!

UPDATE: Llama marital aid a leetle too much for you? Try toad sexing!