Fresh green beans make a tasty treat for alpacas! High-protein vegetables such as green beans help develop bones, organs, and muscles. Green beans are also high in Vitamins A, C, folate, and manganese.
Folate is a B vitamin that helps to prevent any birth defects whereas manganese helps to support quick healing. Along with being rich in Vitamins A, B6, C, manganese, and potassium, they provide additional benefits whether they are fed cooked or raw.
They provide liver support when they are uncooked and can help to fatten up any alpacas when cooked. While fruits and vegetables provide additional nutrients and health benefits, others will lead to serious health problems.
Some foods that alpacas should not eat include avocados, cherries, corn, mustard vegetables, or nightshade vegetables. Avocados contain a fungicidal toxin known as persin inside the leaves, pit, and fruit.
Eating avocados can lead to symptoms such as gastrointestinal distress, respiratory irritation, and a swollen head and neck. Alpacas are susceptible to cyanide poisoning which can happen after eating cherries. Although this is most common with wilted leaves, sprouts, seeds, and twigs are also dangerous for alpacas. Additionally, black cherry leaves can be toxic.
These materials contain amygdalin, which breaks down to form cyanide after the alpaca digests it. In large amounts, corn can cause a spike in sugar levels and even diabetes for alpacas. Additionally, if there is a drought or other kind of stressor, the plant will produce additional nitrate.
These levels will be the highest in the stem and leaves and can cause nitrate poisoning. In alpacas, this disease appears in the form of reproductive and lactation issues, lethargy, and a loss of appetite. We will talk more about this in the next section. Before going further, let us first address how camelids and ruminants are different. This is important as they have different needs.
No one in the camelid family camels, llamas, alpacas, vicunas, guanacos are ruminants. They have both behavioral and physiological differences when it comes to food. And there are more differences! We prefer to just call camelids camelids. They have different digestive and nutritional needs, which is a rather big difference. The main distinguishing factor between ruminants and camelids is their stomach, or perhaps more appropriately, the number of compartments in their stomachs.
Ruminants have a single stomach with four chambers while camelids have three, as mentioned above. They do share commonalities like chewing cud Food matter that returns from the first stomach compartment back to the mouth for further chewing but are still quite distinct from one another. The below is not meant to be representative of the needs of every alpaca resident.
Crias Young llamas or alpacas babies and tuis juveniles , pregnant and lactating hembras female , alpacas with certain health conditions, and senior alpacas will have different nutritional requirements and should be discussed with an experienced veterinarian. This information provides a general guide to nutritional requirements for the healthy, adult alpaca.
There are structural and non-structural carbohydrates. In most situations, grazing ideally browsing is sufficient, along with a recommended mineral supplement. Hay and pasture should be analyzed for mineral, protein, and sugar content in order to safely meet the needs of your residents. Too much of the above can result in serious health issues, as can a deficit in required protein and vitamins and minerals. Like a number of other resident species, a lush spring pasture can prove too much for alpaca residents and cause issues.
Not only does forage provide the necessary crude fiber an alpaca needs, it also prevents them from boredom and psychological distress, as they should spend much of the day grazing. Even then, they should still have dry fiber as a large part of their diet. Of course, a veterinarian should be consulted when developing a plan for an individual. If some grains are recommended, be sure to purchase pelleted grains designed specifically for llamas and alpacas.
It is important to know that, while many alpacas in the US and Canada and many other places graze where they are kept, they may nibble shrubs and tree leaves. Providing opportunities to browse in addition to grazing can provide a diet closer to those where they originate.
Alpacas need forage for the base of their diet, but how much? Ideally, the correct balance of forages alone are sufficient for an alpaca resident. While there is some variation in estimates, there is general agreement that an alpaca needs 1. You should always speak to your veterinarian for their suggestions. For example, if Ellie weighs lbs and requires 1.
Pasture grass should be tested for sugar, protein, and mineral content as the results will help guide you in the right direction. This is about safety, as too much or too little of some components can cause health issues, requiring limited grazing or vitamin and mineral supplementation.
Grasses that are grown as pasture may become weather-leached when they reach maturity, resulting in reduced digestible energy, protein, as well as soluble carbohydrates, carotene, and other minerals. The type of grass and location or season in which it is grown may also affect nutritional quality. There are two main types of grasses: cool and warm season varieties. The cool season grasses tend to mature at slower rates, and therefore, their overall quality also tends to deteriorate less rapidly.
Grass hays are generally better than alfalfa because of the potential for excess protein and calcium intake; this can cause hypercalcemia Hypercalcemia refers to a condition where calcium levels in the blood are above normal. There is a debate on the provision of alfalfa to alpacas for this reason.
Mixing smaller amounts of alfalfa with grass hay is often fine depending on the resident and adding alfalfa to certain residents with additional protein requirements may be beneficial. There are many types of grass hays with different nutritional values.
We have a herd of Alpacas that we shear every year for their beautiful fiber, which we then have milled into ultra luxurious yarn. We make our own maple syrup, preserves and pickles. We raise bees for honey and herbs for medicine. We also raise pigs for meat and fun. We are the parents of two young children, and consider that our most important job. Follow our adventures here and also on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter. View more posts. You are commenting using your WordPress. You are commenting using your Google account.
You are commenting using your Twitter account. But when I started, I worried about choosing poisonous plants that would harm my alpacas. While there is a wide range of plants and trees that are not safe for your llamas and alpacas to eat, there is an equal number of safe and desirable plants and trees as well. Always be sure to protect your young trees and growing plants from curious llamas and alpacas with proper fencing or tree guards.
Once the plants are big enough to withstand chewing, you can allow access. But, even then, you will want to take steps to protect the bark and sensitive parts to keep your plants healthy. Even in poor soil quality, pear trees can thrive. Fertilize once a year, and you should soon see fruit on your young trees within years. Pear trees need a full sun spot and plenty of water in the first few years.
Pears are a highly desirable snack for my llamas and alpacas. They can be used in place of most other fruits in any treat recipe. There is a wide range of apple tree varieties, and all are a great choice for alpaca treats!
Apple trees love being planted in full sun and require well-draining soil. Apples are an excellent treat for llamas and alpacas, and being able to grow your own can save money if you use many apples in your treat recipes.
Grow strawberries easily on your windowsill or patio. Strawberries are a very desirable snack for llamas and alpacas due to their bright color and sweet smell. Strawberries can be planted in normal pots, large buckets, or even barrels to provide ample amounts of fruit for your camelid herd.
One of the best leafy greens to feed llamas and alpacas as a treat, Romaine lettuce is quick and easy to grow for even the newest gardener. You can plant this lettuce in standard garden rows or grow it in hydroponics systems with excellent results from each.
Keep some for your own salads, but use the rest for your llama and alpaca treats and snack recipes. This seasonal melon is a very versatile and easy to grow plants your llamas and alpacas will love!
The entire pumpkin can be used as a camelid treat, the seeds can be roasted or baked, and you can make pumpkin pie for your family as well. You can also make Jack-O-Lanterns for Halloween and save the inner pulp for baking or making llama and alpaca treats.
Llamas and alpacas can be very picky when it comes to what they like and dislike. In addition to fruits, vegetables, and homemade treats, some alpaca and llama owners have found their alpacas like some unconventional store-bought treats.
The most popular purchased treat is animal crackers. They are followed by peppermint horse poppers and camelid hay pellets. Some owners even feed their alpacas fruit-based dog treats.
Llamas and Alpacas can safely enjoy a wide range of fresh fruits and vegetables, but some vegetables are bad for alpacas and llamas. If fed to them by accident, these foods can cause stomach upset, diarrhea, dehydration, and possibly even death.
Always be aware of what ingredients are in every treat you offer your camelid friends. Foods to avoid giving your llamas and alpacas include:.
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