- Type
- Legume hay
- Crude protein
- 13%
- NSC (sugar + starch)
- 8%
- Ca : P
- 4.4 : 1
High in condensed tannins with potential anti-parasite benefits.
Typical nutrient profile
| Measure (dry-matter basis) | Typical value | Rating for alpacas |
|---|---|---|
| Dry matter | 90% | As-fed moisture: dry, stores well |
| Crude protein | 13% | Good |
| ADF (acid detergent fiber) | 40% | Fair — coarse |
| NDF (neutral detergent fiber) | 50% | Average |
| TDN (energy) | 50% | Low energy |
| Calcium | 1.1% | |
| Phosphorus | 0.25% | |
| Ca : P ratio | 4.4 : 1 | Calcium-heavy |
| NSC (sugar + starch) | 8% | 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 | Sericea Lespedeza Hay (13% CP) |
|---|---|---|
| Adult maintenance (non-breeding, fiber animals) | 8–10% | Meets needs |
| Pregnant female (months 1-8) | 10–12% | Meets needs |
| Pregnant female (last 3 months) | 12–14% | Meets needs |
| Lactating female | 12–14% | Meets needs |
| Weanling / yearling (growing) | 14–16% | Slightly low add some alfalfa or a camelid pellet |
| Working herdsire | 10–12% | Meets needs |
| Senior (12+ years) | 10–12% | Meets needs |
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
Frequently asked questions
Is sericea lespedeza hay good for alpacas?
High in condensed tannins with potential anti-parasite benefits. With about 13% crude protein it is good for alpacas.
How much sericea lespedeza hay 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.