4) When alpaca eat grass, they snip off the top of the plant unlike some other animals that pull the grass up by the root when eating. Our alpacas like to eat the occasional weed and tree leaves that litter their paddocks. Do not use grains as a calcium source, there is none there, and besides there is more phosphorus than calcium which you do not want! The alpaca's digestive system is very efficient so they don't have to eat … Be sure to look up what plants are poisonous to alpacas. Words: David Bridson, Elysian Alpacas We have a great affection for our alpacas. Hi, I’m Jill Bergman and I’m going to tell you a bit about what alpacas eat and what they need to eat. Just like any other animal, there are things that alpacas should not eat. Alpaca feed – the things alpacas love to eat David Bowen 2018-06-08T10:49:47+00:00 The better fed your alpacas, the happier they’ll be. Alpacas primarily eat grass or fodder. The alpaca's digestive system is very efficient so they don't have to eat … Natural Remedies for Digestive Upset in Alpacas By Candace Wingo L.M.T., C.A.T. The issue with alpacas not eating is that they will quickly develop a condition called fatty liver, where the liver becomes infiltrated with fat and the animal eventually succumbs to liver failure. Cross grazing other species with alpacas is accepted practice on many farms. The question of grain. Feeding Recommendations for Alpacas & Llamas. Older alpacas and little ones can have trouble staying warm. Additionally a small amount of alfalfa hay can be fed to growing, pregnant and lactating camelids. Although it is not necessary, optimally you should have twice the required acreage so that you can rotate your pastures ( i.e. This can be a good solution for reducing the long grass which grows around alpaca middens. Alpacas browse, but not as efficiently as llamas do, and they prefer (by far) nice soft grass. They can eat approximately 2 pounds per one hundred twenty-five pounds of their weight per day. There are other feedstuffs that can supply more protein and definitely more calcium than grains. two acres for 5 - 10 alpacas). Try and purchase paints and stains that are specially made for barns and fencing and listed as animal or “livestock” friendly. Sometimes it’s a temporary thing and sometimes it’s a chronic condition. Plants that are Poisonous to Alpacas When I started putting a list together of plants toxic to alpacas, I was amazed that any of our animals are still alive! Alpacas do not do well on grain-based foods. Hay. What Alpacas Should Not Eat. They are intelligent, easy to manage, and have […] So, often we can fix the inciting cause of the illness, but the resulting inappetance leads to … What foods can’t alpacas eat? How Much Food Alpacas Can Eat? This is grass hay, and I have a very good source that I get out of southern Utah, and you can see that it’s nice and green and it’s not … According to the Alpaca Owners Association, You can feed fodder or recent pasture 1.5% of the animal’s weight daily. What do alpacas eat? They’re one of the cutest, cuddliest livestock you’ll find, and their numbers are rising, reaching over 25,000 in the last few years, which is why this dedicated alpaca breeder believes we need to eat them. Alpacas typically eat only grass or hay. So what do alpacas like to eat? Alpacas are one of the cutest creatures out there, which inclines many to get their own alpaca. They’re one of the cutest, cuddliest livestock you’ll find, and their numbers are rising, reaching over 25,000 in the last few years, which is why this dedicated alpaca breeder believes we need to eat them. (Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Animal Therapist) Digestive upset in alpacas can happen. Remember too that alpacas are extremely efficient and if too much energy (grain) is supplied, they can become obese. There is some controversy among alpaca producers about the feeding of grain. Alpacas may try to chew on painted surfaces and can become ill if the stain or paint is toxic. Most of these being plants that are poisonous to alpacas. Foods That You Should Not Feed To Alpacas. Either way, I will try to explain the place of grain in the alpaca diet. Find a vet that knows about alpacas and enjoys working with them. Alpacas have 2 sets of teeth for process food. The second is to remember that what is safe for a human is not necessarily safe for alpacas. Alpaca Management, Poisonous Plants, Weaning, Halter Training. (Which is why they have a … First, it is important to clarify how grain is digested. I will include a link to a long list of the plants that we know to be poisenous, but keep in mind that some local plants may not be listed because they haven’t been introduced to an a Or maybe some see it as harmful. While alpacas do not eat this grass until the midden is well broken down, sheep and other stock do not have the same reservations. While there are a lot of plants on this list, it is not exhaustive. Find a vet that knows about alpacas and enjoys working with them.