|
Alpaca
nutrition news
January 2009
Overweight and obese alpacas
The term
“easy keeper” is used by horse people to describe animals that maintain their
condition with less and/or lower quality feed then other horses. Easy keepers
often have lower metabolic rates and therefore, require less energy to maintain
optimum condition. There is a growing epidemic in the alpaca industry of
overweight or obese animals.
Some of
these “fatties”, as some alpaca producers call them, are “easy keepers”. Others
are just overfed, either from ignorance or aggressive feeding behavior. Whatever
the reason, obesity is a serious problem. Associated health and production
issues include:
-
Shorter productive life
-
Shorter total lifespan
-
Decreased milk production
- May
require more services/conception
-
Increased potential for dystocia,
or difficult birth
-
Increased potential for joint problems
-
Decreased fiber quality
- as the quality of the diet increases, the quality of the wool decreases
There are
indications that excess weight is not permanently detrimental, but only if the
animal is returned to optimum weight. Once their condition is under control,
these animals should return to normal productivity.
As every
dieter knows, it is easier to keep weight off than to lose the excess. However,
unlike humans, alpacas usually sport a dense fleece, that like winter apparel
for humans, hides a multitude of sins. Therefore, a hands-on approach is
necessary to identify overweight and obese animals. Body scoring was discussed
in the first article in this series (American Livestock, winter 2008, p. 120).
Because
alpacas, like humans, evolved in a feast or famine environment, if energy input
(diet) surpasses energy output (exercise), the excess energy (in the form of
fat) will be stored. Therefore, weight loss is best achieved by either
decreasing energy input or increasing energy output (or
both). In alpaca diets, the ingredient with the greatest energy density is
grain.
Unfortunately, grain, usually in the form of pre-bagged supplements, is often
overfed. Many times this is because well-meaning owners are trying to meet their
animals’ vitamin and mineral needs. Many of these animals also have access to a
vitamin and mineral mix.
There are
three major times in a female alpaca’s life when extra energy may be needed:
growth, late gestation, and lactation. Extra energy, preferably in the form of a
protein-energy supplement (without added vitamins and minerals) should be
limited to these periods, and based on body score.
Alpacas
that are determined to be obese should be separated, at least during feeding
time, and restricted to grass hay or pasture and a vitamin/mineral mix. A small
amount of grain may be added to increase vitamin and mineral intake at certain
times of the year. Animals in winter dry lot may consume more vitamin/mineral
supplement than those on summer pasture because of boredom and accessibility.
The use of supplements that contain grain, as well as vitamins and minerals,
should be avoided. No matter what many producers swear, grain is mostly calories
and can make alpacas fat, especially if they have a slow metabolism.
There are
animals which can get fat on pasture. In these cases, limited grazing time is
recommended,
Note:
Any change in diet should be made over the course of at least two weeks to allow
the microorganisms of the rumen to re-organize, and to minimize stress.
One
creative producer took his “fatty” for a jog every day. Although this method is
beneficial for both alpaca and owner, it is not an option for everyone. An
easier method would be to group animals by condition and feed accordingly. If an
overweight or obese alpaca is still grabbing more than their share, then they
need to be sequestered, at least during feeding time.
Alpacas
that are kept at or near optimum condition will live longer, more productive
lives. They will have fewer complications during pregnancy, parturition, and
lactation, and will produce fiber that is as close to their genetic potential as
possible. |
