Nutrition and Feeding

What do llamas and alpacas eat? Penn State Extension offers an answer to this and many other questions related to the llama and alpaca diet. A broad range of topics related to managing camelid nutrition for llamas and alpacas is also covered: copper nutrition, salt feeding, the effects of forage quality. Tips on body condition scoring and the prevention of hepatic lipidosis are also provided in this section.

Llamas and Alpacas Feed Management

The llama diet consists mainly of grass and shrubs and the same is true for the nutritional needs of alpacas. Yet, there may be a need for supplementation at certain times depending on the needs of individual herds and animals.

Herd owners can find out more information about the different types of grains, feeds, and supplements suitable for camelids. Those who rely on feed as part of their animals’ diet will be interested in a discussion about the risks of mold and mycotoxins growing in feed, as well as learning how to test feed for toxins and deal with contaminated feed.

Llamas and alpacas do not have hooves and this means they cause less damage to the environment. This, combined with the unique way in which they graze – without uprooting plants – means they are less likely to damage pastures. Still, there are additional techniques that farmers could follow to help pastureland recover quickly and easily.

Llamas and alpacas need a reliable supply of fresh water. Detailed advice on how to estimate a farm's water needs and plan for the relevant water systems is available here.

A lack of dietary copper can cause diseases like anemia and other health problems in camelids. However, ingesting too much of this mineral is also problematic and can cause copper toxicity and other issues. Obtaining the right balance can be challenging as many types of llama feed and alpaca feed are supplemented with copper and other trace minerals.

Penn State Extension offers detailed information on the importance of copper in camelid nutrition, identifying health issues due to too little or too much copper in the diet, and ensuring that herds receive the right amount of nutritional copper.

Supplementing salt is essential to a balanced llama and alpaca diet. Penn State Extension offers information on which salt products to use as well as detailed salt feeding recommendations.

Llamas and Alpacas Pasture and Forage Management

Llamas and alpacas have very efficient digestive systems and can sustain themselves on a diet of grass. Farmers who have to rely on some feed may be interested in an article which discusses the different aspects of forage quality and feed analysis. Additional information on the different types of forage and the effects of forage quality on alpacas is also available here.

Grassland consists of many different species of plants. This one-hour webinar discusses the role of warm-season annual plants and their importance for grazing animals. An interesting additional grazing option is grazing on crop residues and cover crops.

Poisonous plants are a concern for farmers whose animals graze on pasture land. A general article on poisonous plants growing in summer is available here. Poison hemlock and milkweed are two plants of particular concern.

In addition, wilted cherry leaves may cause cyanide poisoning. While multiflora rose is not known to be toxic to llamas and alpacas, it is an invasive weed, which spreads fast and may take up a lot of space. Farmers can find tips on multiflora rose control here.