Feeding problems? Trying to keep weight on your animals in the winter cold? Try this! After the animals cannot graze in the pasture in the fall, we begin to supplement their normal grain with alfalfa pellets. I usually mix the alfalfa pellets with the regular alpaca feed in a 3-to-1 or 4-to-1 ratio, depending on your animals feed habits. I have a standing order at my local feed store for a certain number of bags per month thru the winter. I slowly cut back the alfalfa as the grass comes in again in the spring. At first, your animals may not like the alfalfa, but if you introduce it slowly, they will gradually catch on. Some of my adult males still will not eat it, but my lactating and pregnant females love it. The first year I tried this, it took them awhile to like them, after that, each year, there was no hesitation! It has helped my females hold their body weight and that in turn helps them stay warmer through the bitter cold. It's gets really cold here in Lancaster...-34F a few days this year!!

Janice A Thompson
Darron Spalty
New Millennium Alpaca Farm

< Back to Health

See All >

Design by BreedWorks