Sutter's Mill Llama Ranch is located in the historic El Dorado County gold country of the Sierra Nevada foothills east of Sacramento, California. Along with Sandy and Bill Chickering and their son Matthew, Sutter's Mill is home to twenty cats, three dogs, two emus, Wilbur the Pig, and one of the finest llama herds in the West.

Our ranch property is only five acres in size, but every square foot is in use.  Our pastures are fenced, cross-fenced, and linked together around our house and barns by a series of gates and catch pens.  We maintain three herds: one for our females and their babies, a second for our adult males, and a third for our yearling males which is situated between the two adult herds.  Our neighbors have opened their fences to us, so our llamas have a total of seventeen acres for roaming and grazing.

Each of our llamas has access to shelter from summer heat and winter rain.  Fresh water and clean grass hay are regularly available.   Veterinary services are provided by Dr. David Turoff, DVM.

People sometimes ask why we go to all of the effort required to maintain a large llama herd.  That's easy . . .

It's for the critters!

The Apocryphal History of the Llamas of Sutter's Mill

California's first llamas may have arrived at this historic site back in 1853 . . . .

What Do You Do With Llamas?

That's the first question people ask - or maybe right after the "don't they spit?" question.  Our friends Deloris & Jack Gardner from Texas have a page on their web site that we like a lot!

Llama Owner Information

Here's a basic Llama Owner Information Guide.

Whether you are a new llama owner, an old ranch hand, or just llama-curious, check out these basic llama facts from the International Llama Association .

The New England Journal of Large Animal Heath is a new publication offering useful llama and alpaca health care information.  A recent artical concerning female llama reproductive behavior is very interesting.

A great source of general information about llamas is the Llamapaedia.

Llamas-information.com offers free llama information and stories, and a comprehensive link directory to other llama (and llama-related) sites.

Check out Dave Drewry's site at www.llamapacker.com for information and links about llama packing.

Behavior and training clinics for llamas and alpacas (and the humans they own) the Gentle Spirit way.  Gentle Spirit Training

Here's a great listing of llama owner resources courtesy of Rainbow Ridge Llama Ranch.

The Latest News From Sutter's Mill

June 2005 Early Summer Photos

May 2005  The Arena Restoration Project

March 2000  Llamas To The Rescue

August 1999  The Winter Hay Is Here

April 1999  We'll Always Remember Dixie Belle

March 1999  Its Llama Baby Season!!

Hey Pig!!  You're part of the family!

Camels, Zonkies and an Orangutan - Our exotic neighbors.

Sutter's Mill Photo Album

We've posted a collection of photos so that our friends and family can see what we're up to "out at the farm".

"Nose-N-Toes", Llama-Inspired Jewelry and Gifts

Sandy has arranged a special collection of gifts and treasures especially for "Llama People". Some are imported, others are local - all are unique!