Take a Virtual Tour of our Farm We have put together a photo album so all our friends and family can see where we live and what we have done to make our small llama farm, HOME. We invite each and everyone of you to come and visit us. We will love to have you as our guests and in mid-summer of 2007, you can stay all night in our new Guesthouse. Sincerely, John and Marvel Maddy

Click on the farm picture for a larger view.
The numbers on each barn are the order in which we built them
as well as identify them for all other purposes.

Our Chronological Progress:

• Purchased property in July, 2002
• Started construction in August, 2002
• Moved in November 20, 2002
• Built the deck in December, 2002
• January through May, 2003 we contended with a wet sloppy mess around here. So, we.....
• Built the pond in May, 2003
• Moved tons of dirt in June, 2003 (with our new Kubota). We raised our back yard approximately five feet with all the dirt from the pond. Then, the ground was so soft that we could not get on it without burying the equipment. That was the major reason we purchased the Kubota. It weighs 6,000 pounds less than a Bobcat. As of 08-10-2003, the tractor had 112 hours on it.
• Purchased lot adjacent to our property in June, 2003
• Built 1800 feet of fence in July, 2003
• Built the llama barn in July, 2003. It is now referred to as Barn #1.
• Installed culvert and completed excavating and seeding in llama pasture in August, 2003. To get this accomplished, we had to purchase and move 50 ton of material (rock and dirt). The Kubota once again got a work out.
• Llamas arrived on September 18, 2003
• In Octoter, 2003, we purchased a 6 x 16 x 7 livestock trailer to haul the llamas to shows next spring.
• Purchased lot adjacent to the llama pasture on November 15, 2003
• Purchased a Ford F-150 4x4 King Ranch Edition Pickup in December, 2003 to pull our trailer
• December, 2003 - Fenced in the additional property which required an additional 831 feet of fence. 531 feet of wood and 300 feet of wire.
• February 15, 2004 - Completed Barn #1 addition which added 360 square feet of under-roof pen area.
• April 6, 2004 - Expanded the herd to a total of five when Chica Dulce and Penelope arrived.
• On May 5, 2004, we completed staining the fence. Wow, what a job but, we love the looks of it.
• In April, 2004 we purchased a 24 x 16 portable building for a pasture shelter. On May 5, 2004 we finally got it constructed and moved it near the back of our second pasture. The llamas seem to like it. This barn is now referred to as Barn #2.
• On June 12 and 13, 2004 we attended the John Mallon Llama Training School in Byron, Illinois. If you have llamas and you have not attended John's program, we highly recommend you do so. John makes training llamas FUN!
• June 08, 2004 - We expanded the herd with two quality llamas from Yellow Wood Llamas. They are Zowie and Gidget. We look forward to showing these two at the NAILE, ALSA Show in November, 2004.
• July 7, 2004 - We located a beautiful Featherlite trailer, 12' x 6' x 8' and traded our old one in. Wow, does the new trailer ever pull easier! We brought Free Spirit and Spicy Lady back to the farm after being in Peoria to be bred. They are both due in April, 2005.
• July 14, 2004 - we asphalted the drive from the road to the barn for cosmetic appearance and of course to stay out of the mud.
• July 15, 2004 - we purchased another acre of land for the possibilities of herd expansion.
• July 20, 2004 - The fence trimming has become overwhelming so we purchased a Swisher Postmaster fence line trimmer. This great piece of equipment attaches behind our tractor and has cut our fence trimming time in less than half.
• September 16, 2004 - Mowing 6.5 acres with a 54" mower became too time consuming so we purchased a Swisher, 60" Offset Trailmower. Now, instead of mowing a 54" swath, we mow a 110" swath. This has really cut down on the mowing time. Now, we will have more time for the llamas.
• October 4, 2004 - We divided one of the pastures by constructing an additional 250' of fence to seperate the boys from the girls.
• October 9, 2004 - Since we have not had rain for the past 45 days, the pastures are drying up. So, we installed a temporary fence in the back yard to give the llamas and extra acre of grass to graze on. We also installed two street sweeper brushes on frames for the llamas to rub on, and we stained the last 1250 feet of board fence. This was a busy weekend here at Country View Llamas.
• December, 2004 - We made the decision to purchase some high quality studs that we are planning on showing and breeding in 2005. Since our 2nd trailer was only 12' long, we could not divide it for boys and girls so, we traded it for a 16' gooseneck that has two 8' pens inside.
• January, 2005 - We are adding on again! We purchased another lot (the last to be acquired - or so we thought in January, 2005) and constructed a 48' x 60' x 12' barn for the BOYS. We have talked about this new building for the past year and WE THINK we are doing it right this time. The barn features:
  • 5 - 12' x 12' stalls
  • 1 - 12' x 24' stall,
    All stalls have an outside/inside entrance
    • Stalls are constructed of removable corral gates so, if needed, we can convert all the stalls into a 36' x 36' indoor training/show arena
  • 12' x 24' area for equipment storage
  • 36' x 24' hay loft
  • 12' x 12' tack/feed room - heated and air conditioned
  • 12' x 12' llama washing area
  • 12' x 60' lean-to on the left side of the building for weather protection.
  • 12' x 60' drive through alley way in the center of the building.
  The outside of the building features:
  • 6 individual pens
  • show training area
  • and about a 1/4 acre of grazing area. Click HERE to see the layout of Barn #3.
  We are really excited about this addition. At last, we will have the space we have so much needed. We are quite sure it will be the last barn addition. As previously stated, there are no more lots available in our subdivision.
The outside structure of the barn was finished on February 15th. Now, we have to let things dry out before we can dig water and power lines and build fence. We were hoping to have this all done by March 1st but, it did not happen.
• February, 2005 - We traded our King Ranch for a Ford F-250, King Cab, 4x4, with a full bed and a Powerstroke Diesel. This truck does an outstanding job pulling our trailer.
• March 6, 2005 - We made a trip to Georgia and picked up three great additions to the herd, shown below.
• April - May 2005 - Poured a 24' x 36' concrete floor inside new barn, installed water and electricity, built 24' x 36' hay mow, tack room, 3 pens, and wash stall in Barn.#3.
• May - June 2005 - Built 550 feet of 3 board fence around Barn #3 and cleared out a wooded area behind the barn.
• May 20 - 22, 2005 - Attended a grooming and driving clinic at Walnut Hill Farm. This was a great event and was extremely valuable for the future of our llama business.
• August 17, 2005 - Asphalted Barn #3 driveway and walkways between Barns #1, #2, and #3.
• August 18, 2005 - Contructed an additional 900 feet of wire fence. This enclosed the pasture behind Barn #3 and split one of our pastures into two - 3/4 acre lots.
• September, 2005 - Added a 12' x 36' lean-to on the right side of Barn #3. This was a must in order to keep the Kentucky rains out of the barn.
• October, 2005 - Stained the wood fence around Barn #3.
• November, 2005 - We think we are done for now. We need to stop and relax a bit.
• November, 2005 - WOW, we are really excited now! Gallatin County blacktopped our road so, we now have garbage pickup and mail delivered to the front door. To many, this would seem insignificant but, when you have to carry your garbage a block and walk a block to deposit and pick up mail, it is a BIG DEAL. The other major benefit to the blacktop is NO DUST. We can now open our windows in the summer.
• April 2006 - Hosted the Gallatin County 4-H Club for "A Day With The Llamas". CLICK HERE to see pictures of this event and other groups.
• May 2006 - We repainted all the board fence and set another 60 posts to expand our pasture area.
• May 2006 - Hosted the Carrolton Christian School Gindergarden Class and a local Motorcycle Club.
• May 2006 - Completed 450 feet of wood fence in the back yard to expand our pasture area in the back yard where we had origianlly installed the temporary fence in October, 2004.
• July 2006 - We delivered the five llamas that we sold this year to two different farms. There new homes are very nice and we feel our llamas will be treated very well at both locations.
• July 2006 - Fenced in our last acre with 750 feet of wire fence. We have had this lot for the past two years and decided it was time to take advantage of it and make another pasture. We will be adding an 18' x 24' shelter on this property in July as well.
• September 2006 - Constructed 150' of three board fence between our property and the cemetary.
• November 2006 - We are at it again! 2.4 acres became available that joins our property so, we purchased it and are making plans to build another barn that will measure 80' x 63'. The new barn will feature:
  • 18' x 15' guest bedroom with a full bathroom
  • 12' x 21' kitchen
  • 10' x 10' feed/tool room
  • 18' x 21' hay storage
  • 30' x 40' equipment storage
  • 12' x 21' llama grooming/washing area
  • two 20' x 18' llama pens with 2 outside sliding doors per pen
  • one 12' x 15' llama pen with an outside sliding door
  The outside of the barn will feature:
  • Nine windows
  • 80' x 12' overhang on the llama side of the barn
  • 25' x 6' porch on the human side of the barn
  • 12' x 10' Overhead doors on each end of the building
  • Two outside entry doors.
  For those of you who come to visit and stay the night, you will have a beautiful view of our farm and the llamas. We thought back in July that our fence building was DONE. Well, now we will start again and construct about 2,300 feet of three board and wire fence on the new property.
• December 22, 2006 - The excavation for Barn #4 and the driveway are complete to the point where we can start construction of the barn.
• January 22, 2007 - Barn #4 is under construction. SEE THE NEW BARN PICTURES
• February 2, 2007 - Barn #4 is completed on the outside, with the exception of the cupolas and the overhead doors.
• February 15, 2007 - Installed overhead doors and the cupolas. The exterior construction of the barn is DONE!
• April 1, 2007 - We have completed the constuction of over 1,000 feet of 3 board and wire fence around the outside perimeter of the new property. This time, we put a 39" wire fence under the board fence to keep out any un-wanted critters. Now, we are waiting for the inside of the barn to dry out to start that construction project as well as constructing another 1,000 feet of fence for pens in front and in back of the barn.
• April 13, 2007 - Installed 550 feet of water line with 2 shut off points, 3 hydrants and a water supply for the bathroom.
• April 18, 2007 - Sewer and drain lines installed in barn.
• April 19, 2007 - Completed pouring 3150 square feet of concrete.
• April 21, 2007 - Completed sealing the concrete floor and stained all the fence we constructed last fall, approximately 600 feet on both sides.
• April 23, 2007 - We had to take a break from construction and we sheared four, bred two, castrated two and gave shots to eight llamas. This was really a busy day!
• May 21, 2007 - All the interior walls have been constructed and the second stage of the plumbing is complete.
• May 22, 2007 - The septic system is complete, including seeding.
• May 26, 2007 - All electric lines, plugs and switches have been installed
• June 15, 2007 - The llama part of the barn is complete. Now, we are waiting for the rain so the new grass will grow.
• June 28, 2007 - We put four llamas in the new barn and they seem to like their new home.
• July 5, 2007 - The plumbing has all been finalized and the final electircal inspection is complete so, I guess we will call Barn #4...DONE!
• July 17, 2007 - The applicances and furniture are moved into the Guesthouse. We are ready for you to come visit!
• October 28, 2007 - All fences around the new property, wood and wire, are complete and all pens are occupied with llamas.
• Now, IT IS TIME TO TAKE A BREAK!

• May 29, 2007 - the foundation for our new home was poured.
• July 4, 2007 - the foundation blocks are finished.
• July 23, 2007 - Water, sewer, and power lines have been run to the home. The crawl space insulation and plates have been installed.
• July 30, 2007 - The 130 ton crane and five home sections pulled in the driveway at 12:30 pm and by 6:30 pm the home was completely set and matched the foundation perfectly.
• July 31, 2007 - All Roofs are tied together, all shingles were installed and foundation is backfilled. This has been an absolutely amazing process. Since the day we met Steve Grey, our builder, we have not had a glitch in the new home building process. Literally EVERYTHING has gone like clockwork! We feel we were extremely blessed to meet Steve.
• September 1, 2007 - We moved into our new home.

Dream

Black Hawk

Leif

At times, it seems like things are moving very slowly around here but, when you consider the list above was all completed in the past four years, I guess we have nearly worked at lightspeed!