Complete feeding guide
The alpaca digestive system, daily rations by life stage and common mistakes.
Can alpacas eat…?
149 foods checked with serving sizes.
Hay & feed database
Nutrient values for 46 hays, pastures and feeds.
Feeding chart by weight
Daily hay and water for alpacas from 60 to 220 lb.
Feeding calculator
Personalised daily amounts in seconds.
Toxic plant checker
Which plants are dangerous?
Minerals & supplements
Selenium, zinc, vitamin D, copper and more.
Choosing hay
How to pick, test and store hay.
Winter hay calculator
How many bales to buy.
The 6 rules of feeding alpacas
- Forage first: grass or grass hay should be most of the diet — about 1.5–2% of body weight in dry matter daily.
- Always provide clean water; it doubles in hot weather and for nursing mothers.
- Offer a camelid-specific loose mineral free choice (not a block, and not a cattle or sheep mineral).
- Add protein (some alfalfa or a camelid pellet) only for late pregnancy, lactation, growth or thin animals.
- Keep grain and treats minimal; never feed bread, lawn clippings or medicated cattle feed.
- Make every change gradually over 1–2 weeks and score body condition monthly.