Daily needs by life stage
| Life stage | Dry matter / day | Hay / day (as fed) | Hay / month | Bales / year* | Water / day | Protein target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult maintenance (non-breeding, fiber animals) | 2.2 lb | 2.4 lb (1.1 kg) | 73 lb | 18 | 2.7–3.8 L (0.7–1.0 gal) | 8–10% |
| Pregnant female (months 1-8) | 2.2 lb | 2.4 lb (1.1 kg) | 73 lb | 18 | 2.7–3.8 L (0.7–1.0 gal) | 10–12% |
| Pregnant female (last 3 months) | 2.4 lb | 2.7 lb (1.2 kg) | 81 lb | 20 | 3.3–4.4 L (0.9–1.2 gal) | 12–14% |
| Lactating female | 2.8 lb | 3.1 lb (1.4 kg) | 93 lb | 23 | 4.4–5.4 L (1.2–1.4 gal) | 12–14% |
| Weanling / yearling (growing) | 3.0 lb | 3.3 lb (1.5 kg) | 101 lb | 25 | 3.3–4.4 L (0.9–1.2 gal) | 14–16% |
| Working herdsire | 2.4 lb | 2.7 lb (1.2 kg) | 81 lb | 20 | 2.7–3.8 L (0.7–1.0 gal) | 10–12% |
| Senior (12+ years) | 2.3 lb | 2.5 lb (1.1 kg) | 77 lb | 19 | 2.7–3.8 L (0.7–1.0 gal) | 10–12% |
How to use this chart
- *Small square bales of about 50 lb with no pasture; add 10–15% for waste.
- Hay is assumed to be ~90% dry matter. Fresh pasture is only 20–30% dry matter, so alpacas eat far more pounds of grass.
- Match hay quality to the protein target: 8–10% grass hay for maintenance, adding alfalfa or a camelid pellet for pregnancy, lactation and growth.
- Water doubles in hot weather and for nursing mothers — keep it clean and unfrozen.
- Weigh or body-condition-score monthly and adjust: amounts are starting points, not rules.
- Need another weight? Use the feeding calculator.
FAQ
How much hay does a 120 lb alpaca eat per day?
About 2.4 lb (1.1 kg) of hay per day at maintenance (1.8% of body weight as dry matter), plus 10–15% for waste. Late-pregnant and nursing females eat more.
How much water does a 120 lb alpaca drink?
Roughly 2.7–3.8 liters (0.7–1.0 gallons) a day in mild weather — up to double that in heat or when nursing.
Do these amounts include pasture?
No. They assume hay is the only forage. Good pasture replaces most of the hay during the growing season.
This page is educational and does not replace advice from a veterinarian who has examined your animals. Camelid medicine uses many drugs “extra-label”, so dosing must come from your vet. In an emergency, call your vet first. Read our disclaimer · How we write and review content.