Why alpacas perform better than sheep when on poor quality forage:
Slower particulate passage time (microbes have longer
to attack structural carbohydrates in C-1 63 hours in
alpacas, compared with 41 hours in sheep).
Faster liquid passage time (constant removal of microbial protein, vitamins and soluble minerals from C-1 and
C-2 maintains a rapidly dividing population of microbes
which is more efficient. Liquid flow is 10.4% per hour in
alpacas, compared with 7.7% per hour in sheep).
Greater volume of saliva production (in relation to foregut volume).
Efficient output of energy and protein on limited quality
Efficient nitrogen balance (by reduction of urea excretion through kidneys, thereby enabling recycling of urea
through their saliva and directly through the wall of C-1).
Alpacas are well adapted to Australian conditions
Alpacas are primarily grazers and eat small amounts of a
wide variety of plants. They will eat approximately 2% of
their body weight in feed per day and prefer shorter pastures.
Ideally they should have a diet consisting of 20% fibre.
They are very effective at extracting nutrients (protein and
energy) from the available feed. Alpacas are efficient recyclers
of urea and protein levels of 10-12% only are required.
Although they can survive harsh conditions they do best on
good quality pasture. The growth of a variety of grasses and
forbs in quality soils will provide your alpacas with good
Care should be taken to avoid poisonous plants in your
pasture or hanging over fences into alpaca paddocks, such as
highly toxic oleander, lantana etc.
In seasons where pasture becomes limited, alpacas may be supplemented with good quality pasture hay and/or various grains according to their physiological state (e.g. pregnancy, lactation, growth, maintenance) and body condition score.
Roughage in the form of hay should be available at all times, especially in spring or on lush pasture, e.g. irrigation.
Depending on your location, paddock feed may not be adequate throughout the year for alpacas, particularly those requiring extra nutrition. Pregnant and lactating females need a higher daily intake than other alpacas.
Australian soils are often deficient in certain minerals and trace elements. Pastures and soils can be analysed to assess any areas of deficiency and it is important that this be done to avoid using unnecessary additives.
Alpacas can be supplemented using a commercial mix designed for alpacas, and some owners have reported success with seaweed meal.
Peruvian studies have shown that alpacas consume tall grasses in the wet season and short grasses in the dry season. Alpacas are
highly adaptable grazers that will eat grass when it is available but they will adapt to sedges during dry periods of low grass
The sedge family (Cyperaceae) comprises annual and perennial grass-like or rush-like plants which usually show a preference
for marshy or wet places but a few also occur on dry sandy soils with unimproved pasture. On improved pasture, sheep will eat
at least 2.5 times more legumes such as clovers than alpacas, so alpacas still prefer grasses even in this situation.
Reasons why nutrition is so important: