- Type
- Legume hay
- Crude protein
- 19%
- NSC (sugar + starch)
- 10%
- Ca : P
- 5.6 : 1
- Also called
- Lucerne hay
Very rich. Use as 10-30% of the forage for breeding females and crias.
Typical nutrient profile
| Measure (dry-matter basis) | Typical value | Rating for alpacas |
|---|---|---|
| Dry matter | 90% | As-fed moisture: dry, stores well |
| Crude protein | 19% | High — breeding & growth |
| ADF (acid detergent fiber) | 31% | Good digestibility |
| NDF (neutral detergent fiber) | 40% | High intake potential |
| TDN (energy) | 60% | High energy |
| Calcium | 1.4% | |
| Phosphorus | 0.25% | |
| Ca : P ratio | 5.6 : 1 | Calcium-heavy |
| NSC (sugar + starch) | 10% | Low sugar/starch |
| Fat | 2.5% |
Typical averages from published feed-composition tables. Hay varies enormously with species, maturity, soil and curing — a forage test (about $25–$40) is the only way to know what your hay provides.
Does it meet each life stage's protein needs?
| Life stage | Protein target | Alfalfa Hay (early bloom) (19% CP) |
|---|---|---|
| Adult maintenance (non-breeding, fiber animals) | 8–10% | Rich mix with grass hay |
| Pregnant female (months 1-8) | 10–12% | Rich mix with grass hay |
| Pregnant female (last 3 months) | 12–14% | Meets needs |
| Lactating female | 12–14% | Meets needs |
| Weanling / yearling (growing) | 14–16% | Meets needs |
| Working herdsire | 10–12% | Rich mix with grass hay |
| Senior (12+ years) | 10–12% | Rich mix with grass hay |
How much to feed
As the main forage, a typical 150 lb (68 kg) alpaca eats roughly:
| Life stage | Per day (as fed) | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Adult maintenance (non-breeding, fiber animals) | 3.0 lb (1.4 kg) | 91 lb |
| Pregnant female (months 1-8) | 3.0 lb (1.4 kg) | 91 lb |
| Pregnant female (last 3 months) | 3.3 lb (1.5 kg) | 101 lb |
| Lactating female | 3.8 lb (1.7 kg) | 116 lb |
| Weanling / yearling (growing) | 4.2 lb (1.9 kg) | 127 lb |
| Working herdsire | 3.3 lb (1.5 kg) | 101 lb |
| Senior (12+ years) | 3.2 lb (1.4 kg) | 96 lb |
Use the feeding calculator for your animal's exact weight, or see the feeding chart by weight.
Protein compared with other hays
Best for
- Late pregnancy
- Lactation
- Growing crias
- Underweight
Use with care for
- Idle adult males (as sole feed)
Frequently asked questions
Is alfalfa hay (early bloom) good for alpacas?
Very rich. Use as 10-30% of the forage for breeding females and crias. With about 19% crude protein it is high — breeding & growth for alpacas.
How much alfalfa hay (early bloom) does an alpaca eat per day?
About 3.0 lb (1.4 kg) per day for a 150 lb adult at maintenance if fed as the main forage.
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.