What do alpacas eat?
Alpacas can be considered frugal eaters. They can be fed relatively lean diets and still obtain sufficient nutrients from their food. But what do alpacas actually eat?
Natural needs
The digestive system of alpacas is adapted to digesting fibre-rich roughage, including various types of grasses and herbs. Therefore, it is crucial to primarily provide grass and hay. An alpaca typically consumes about 2% of its body weight in roughage per day, which amounts to approximately 1 to 1.5 kg. A pasture with diverse grass species, similar to a horse pasture, best meets the natural needs of alpacas.
During the winter months when grass is scarce, Hartog roughage products are a valuable addition to their diet. Examples include Hartog Grass Mix and Hartog Compact Grass.
Lucerne mix
The quality of roughage and a limited protein content are crucial in formulating an alpaca’s diet. In cases where the quality of roughage is uncertain, Hartog Lucerne Mix can be a good addition to the ration in small amounts. It is rich in fibre, highly palatable and dust-free. A daily supplement of 100-150 grams of Hartog Lucerne Mix per animal is sufficient as an addition to the ration.
Concentrated feed
The digestive system of alpacas is not designed to handle large amounts of concentrated feed. Large amounts of concentrate can lead to an excess of acid in the stomach, which can be fatal for alpacas. Grains should only be fed when the animal truly needs it, as a supplement to the ration. This is particularly the case for pregnant females and breeding males, where concentrated feed supplements protein and energy. There are various alpaca pellets, feed mixes and supplements available that provide vitamins and minerals as a supplement to the ration. The amount required depends on the composition of the product.
Drinking water
An alpaca should always have access to clean and fresh drinking water. They drink between 5-8% of their body weight per day, and during hot summer months, this can increase to as much as 18%. It is therefore crucial that alpacas have an adequate supply of drinking water.
Body condition assessment
It is important to regularly assess the body condition of alpacas. This can be done by feeling the spine. This allows adjustments to be made in the ration for animals that are too thin or too fat. Thin animals can be supplemented separately, so it is clearly visible how much they are eating.
