What does an alpaca eat?

Alpacas can be considered as 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 fiber-rich roughage. This includes 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 serve as 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 serves as a good addition to the ration. Hartog Lucerne Mix has a high energy content but is relatively low in protein. Additionally, it is rich in fiber, which has a positive effect on metabolism and intestinal function. The product is also 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. 

Concentraded feed

The digestive system of alpacas is not designed to handle large amounts of concentrated feed. High-concentrate feed can lead to an excess of acid in the stomach, which can be fatal for alpacas. Feeding grains should only be recommended when the animal truly needs it and should be seen as a supplement to the ration. This is particularly the case for pregnant females and breeding males, where the concentrated feed serves as a supplement for protein and energy. There are various alpaca pellets, feed mixes, and supplements available that provide valuable vitamins and minerals as a supplement to the ration. The amount of supplementation 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 the 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, for example, can be separately supplemented to help them gain strength, and it will be clearly visible how much they are consuming.