Alpaca Nutrition New
August 2007
Feeding the obese alpaca
Obese females have as many or more associated
reproductive problems as those who are underweight. Alpacas become obese for
several reasons including:
Most of these causes can be remedied, either
by altering the diet or herd reorganization. There is a running debate amongst
alpaca producers regarding what part of the diet makes alpacas fat. The
digestible energy (DE) in a kilogram of Brome hay is 2.20 Kcals. The DE for a
similar amount of corn is 3.30 kcal. Although the feeding of corn is also
another hotly debated item, the value is equally high no matter which grain is
evaluated. Grains in general are concentrated energy. Pasture and hay are either
high in water or fibrous material, respectively. An alpaca must eat a much
larger quantity of either to get the same calories found in a pound of corn. In
addition, hay and pasture take longer to ferment and release the energy slowly.
This maintains better appetite control than the quick burst they get from
supplement.
Corn is an acceptable feed ingredient for
alpacas, its only danger is that too much can make them fat. This grain is
sometimes associated with ulcers. Ulcers are usually caused by stress. They can
also be caused by either too much corn fed at once, or if it is too finely
ground. Grains in general are readily fermented, with a concommitant burst of
volatile fatty acids (VFA). These acids are converted to energy by the liver.
Too much of anything can lead to obesity. The
key is to start by reducing or eliminating supplement. Hay or pasture can be
limited as well if supplement reduction is not effective. Minerals should be
available free choice. A gradual step-down in supplement and hay or pasture is
recommended to avoid stress. Some ambitious owners have instituted daily
exercise to promote weight loss, in addition to dietary changes.
Sometimes alpaca condition can be controlled
by feeding lower quality hay. Lower protein hays/pasture such as Brome and
Coastal Bermuda Grass are lower in DE than legume hays such as alfalfa. Lower
protein hay is generally recommended for animals on MSE feed-additive. MSE
improves feed utilization. This means that the animal gets more out of whatever
they eat.
Change is necessary to prevent unfortunate
birth and lactation complications. Although it may seem cruel to withdraw
supplement, remember that these animals evolved in a harsh environment. If
necessary, they can subsist on forages alone. An alpaca in acceptable condition
will be healthier and more productive.
Obsity can be prevented by grouping animals
according to stage of maturity and reproduction. Maidens are often still growing
during their first pregnancy, they have a greater need for all nutrients during
this stage. Likewise, females in their teens may be too thin, due to srial
weight loss during lactation. The females in between are the most vulnerable to
obesity. Group them and feed according to condition and stage of pregnancy. It
is difficult for a female to gain weight during the first few months after
birth. That is when milk production is at its peak. Energy demands during late
gestation are also high because of fetus hypertrophy. These two stages demand
higher energy intake, all other times, the animal needs to be fed to maintain
condition.
