Alpaca — Feed Requirements Guide
Alpacas are fiber-producing camelids raised primarily for their luxurious fleece, which is warmer, lighter, and softer than sheep wool. At 150 lbs, an alpaca consumes just 2.7 lbs of dry matter daily, making them among the most feed-efficient livestock species per pound of body weight. Like llamas, alpacas have a three-compartment stomach that efficiently extracts nutrients from low-quality forages. Alpaca nutrition requires careful balance to prevent obesity, which is the most common nutritional problem in managed herds. A diet of moderate-quality grass hay, free-choice camelid mineral supplement, and occasional grain supplementation during pregnancy and lactation meets most alpacas' nutritional needs. Alfalfa hay should be limited or avoided for adult alpacas at maintenance due to its high protein and energy content. Proper nutrition is reflected in fleece quality, with well-nourished alpacas producing finer, more uniform fiber with better tensile strength.
Alpaca Nutritional Requirements by Life Stage
The table below shows how dry matter intake, protein requirements, and feed costs change across the 4 life stages of alpaca production. Life stage adjustments account for the dramatically different energy and protein demands of lactation, growth, gestation, and maintenance. Click any life stage for a dedicated page with detailed feeding recommendations and management tips.
| Life Stage | DMI Adj. | Daily DMI | Protein % | Daily Protein | Monthly Cost* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maintenance | 1x | 2.7 lbs | 10% | 0.3 lbs | $6.90 |
| Pregnant Female | 1.15x | 3.1 lbs | 13% | 0.4 lbs | $7.94 |
| Lactating Female | 1.3x | 3.5 lbs | 14% | 0.5 lbs | $8.97 |
| Growing Cria | 1.2x | 3.2 lbs | 15% | 0.5 lbs | $8.28 |
*Monthly cost estimated using grass hay at $150/ton. Actual costs vary by feed type and region.
Recommended Feeds for Alpaca
The following feeds meet both the minimum crude protein and TDN requirements for alpaca at maintenance level (10% protein, 55% TDN) when fed as the sole feed source. In practice, most feeding programs combine multiple feed ingredients to optimize cost and nutritional balance.
| Feed | Protein | TDN | As-Fed/Day | Cost/Ton |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alfalfa Hay | 18% | 58% | 3.0 lbs | $250 |
| Haylage (Baleage) | 14% | 60% | 6.0 lbs | $80 |
| Oats | 12% | 70% | 3.0 lbs | $210 |
| Barley | 13% | 84% | 3.1 lbs | $230 |
| Soybean Meal | 44% | 84% | 3.0 lbs | $450 |
| Cottonseed Meal | 41% | 75% | 3.0 lbs | $380 |
| Distillers Grains (Dried) | 27% | 86% | 3.0 lbs | $200 |
| Wheat Bran | 16% | 67% | 3.0 lbs | $180 |
| Rice Bran | 13% | 65% | 3.0 lbs | $200 |
| Pasture Grass (Fresh) | 12% | 62% | 10.8 lbs | $0 |
| Corn Gluten Feed | 21% | 80% | 3.1 lbs | $200 |
| Canola Meal | 36% | 74% | 3.0 lbs | $350 |
| Layer Pellets | 16% | 70% | 3.0 lbs | $400 |
| Broiler Starter | 22% | 78% | 3.0 lbs | $450 |
| Horse Sweet Feed | 12% | 72% | 3.1 lbs | $350 |
| Brewers Grains (Wet) | 26% | 66% | 11.3 lbs | $60 |
| Alfalfa Hay Cubes | 17% | 56% | 3.0 lbs | $300 |
Feeds Requiring Supplementation
These feeds meet either the protein or TDN requirement but not both, and would need to be combined with other feeds in a balanced ration. The table indicates which nutritional requirement is met and which needs supplementation.
| Feed | Protein | TDN | Protein OK? | TDN OK? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Timothy Hay | 9% | 55% | No | Yes |
| Bermuda Grass Hay | 10% | 52% | Yes | No |
| Corn Silage | 8% | 70% | No | Yes |
| Whole Corn | 9% | 88% | No | Yes |
| Cracked Corn | 9% | 88% | No | Yes |
| Beet Pulp | 9% | 74% | No | Yes |
| Molasses | 5% | 72% | No | Yes |
| Fat Supplement (Bypass Fat) | 0% | 180% | No | Yes |
| Urea (Feed Grade) | 281% | 0% | Yes | No |
Feeding Alpaca at Different Body Weights
Body weight directly determines dry matter intake. The table below shows how daily feed requirements change across a range of body weights for alpaca at maintenance level. Use the calculator for custom weights, life stages, and herd sizes.
| Body Weight | Daily DMI | Daily Protein | Monthly Feed | Annual Feed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 90 lbs | 1.6 lbs | 0.2 lbs | 49 lbs | 0.30 tons |
| 120 lbs | 2.2 lbs | 0.2 lbs | 65 lbs | 0.39 tons |
| 150 lbs | 2.7 lbs | 0.3 lbs | 81 lbs | 0.49 tons |
| 180 lbs | 3.2 lbs | 0.3 lbs | 97 lbs | 0.59 tons |
| 225 lbs | 4.1 lbs | 0.4 lbs | 122 lbs | 0.74 tons |
Herd Size Feed Budgets for Alpaca
Planning feed purchases and storage requires estimating total feed needs for your herd over time. The table below shows monthly and annual feed requirements and costs for various herd sizes of alpaca at maintenance level using grass hay at $150/ton.
| Head Count | Daily DMI Total | Monthly Feed | Annual Feed | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 13.5 lbs | 0.20 tons | 2.46 tons | $419.96 |
| 10 | 27.0 lbs | 0.41 tons | 4.93 tons | $839.91 |
| 25 | 67.5 lbs | 1.01 tons | 12.32 tons | $2,099.79 |
| 50 | 135.0 lbs | 2.03 tons | 24.64 tons | $4,199.57 |
| 100 | 270.0 lbs | 4.05 tons | 49.28 tons | $8,399.15 |
| 200 | 540.0 lbs | 8.10 tons | 98.55 tons | $16,798.30 |
Other Animals
Browse feed requirement guides for other livestock species.