Llama — Feed Requirements Guide
Llamas are South American camelids increasingly popular in North America as pack animals, livestock guardians, fiber producers, and companion animals. At 350 lbs, a llama consumes approximately 6.3 lbs of dry matter daily, making them one of the most feed-efficient large livestock species. Llamas have a three-compartment stomach (C1, C2, C3) that is analogous but not identical to the rumen system of cattle and sheep, allowing them to extract nutrients efficiently from relatively low-quality forages. Their maintenance energy requirements are approximately 20-30% lower than horses of similar size. Llama nutrition emphasizes adequate fiber from grass hay, moderate protein levels, and proper mineral supplementation with a camelid-specific formula. Overfeeding is the most common nutritional problem in llamas, leading to obesity, hepatic lipidosis, and reproductive failure. A body condition scoring system specific to camelids should be used to monitor nutritional status.
Llama Nutritional Requirements by Life Stage
The table below shows how dry matter intake, protein requirements, and feed costs change across the 4 life stages of llama production. Life stage adjustments account for the dramatically different energy and protein demands of lactation, growth, gestation, and maintenance. Click any life stage for a dedicated page with detailed feeding recommendations and management tips.
| Life Stage | DMI Adj. | Daily DMI | Protein % | Daily Protein | Monthly Cost* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maintenance | 1x | 6.3 lbs | 10% | 0.6 lbs | $16.11 |
| Pregnant Female | 1.15x | 7.3 lbs | 13% | 0.9 lbs | $18.52 |
| Lactating Female | 1.3x | 8.2 lbs | 14% | 1.2 lbs | $20.94 |
| Growing Cria | 1.2x | 7.6 lbs | 15% | 1.1 lbs | $19.33 |
*Monthly cost estimated using grass hay at $150/ton. Actual costs vary by feed type and region.
Recommended Feeds for Llama
The following feeds meet both the minimum crude protein and TDN requirements for llama at maintenance level (10% protein, 55% TDN) when fed as the sole feed source. In practice, most feeding programs combine multiple feed ingredients to optimize cost and nutritional balance.
| Feed | Protein | TDN | As-Fed/Day | Cost/Ton |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alfalfa Hay | 18% | 58% | 7.0 lbs | $250 |
| Haylage (Baleage) | 14% | 60% | 14.0 lbs | $80 |
| Oats | 12% | 70% | 7.1 lbs | $210 |
| Barley | 13% | 84% | 7.2 lbs | $230 |
| Soybean Meal | 44% | 84% | 7.0 lbs | $450 |
| Cottonseed Meal | 41% | 75% | 6.9 lbs | $380 |
| Distillers Grains (Dried) | 27% | 86% | 7.0 lbs | $200 |
| Wheat Bran | 16% | 67% | 7.1 lbs | $180 |
| Rice Bran | 13% | 65% | 6.9 lbs | $200 |
| Pasture Grass (Fresh) | 12% | 62% | 25.2 lbs | $0 |
| Corn Gluten Feed | 21% | 80% | 7.2 lbs | $200 |
| Canola Meal | 36% | 74% | 7.0 lbs | $350 |
| Layer Pellets | 16% | 70% | 7.0 lbs | $400 |
| Broiler Starter | 22% | 78% | 7.0 lbs | $450 |
| Horse Sweet Feed | 12% | 72% | 7.2 lbs | $350 |
| Brewers Grains (Wet) | 26% | 66% | 26.3 lbs | $60 |
| Alfalfa Hay Cubes | 17% | 56% | 7.0 lbs | $300 |
Feeds Requiring Supplementation
These feeds meet either the protein or TDN requirement but not both, and would need to be combined with other feeds in a balanced ration. The table indicates which nutritional requirement is met and which needs supplementation.
| Feed | Protein | TDN | Protein OK? | TDN OK? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Timothy Hay | 9% | 55% | No | Yes |
| Bermuda Grass Hay | 10% | 52% | Yes | No |
| Corn Silage | 8% | 70% | No | Yes |
| Whole Corn | 9% | 88% | No | Yes |
| Cracked Corn | 9% | 88% | No | Yes |
| Beet Pulp | 9% | 74% | No | Yes |
| Molasses | 5% | 72% | No | Yes |
| Fat Supplement (Bypass Fat) | 0% | 180% | No | Yes |
| Urea (Feed Grade) | 281% | 0% | Yes | No |
Feeding Llama at Different Body Weights
Body weight directly determines dry matter intake. The table below shows how daily feed requirements change across a range of body weights for llama at maintenance level. Use the calculator for custom weights, life stages, and herd sizes.
| Body Weight | Daily DMI | Daily Protein | Monthly Feed | Annual Feed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 210 lbs | 3.8 lbs | 0.4 lbs | 113 lbs | 0.69 tons |
| 280 lbs | 5.0 lbs | 0.5 lbs | 151 lbs | 0.92 tons |
| 350 lbs | 6.3 lbs | 0.6 lbs | 189 lbs | 1.15 tons |
| 420 lbs | 7.6 lbs | 0.8 lbs | 227 lbs | 1.38 tons |
| 525 lbs | 9.5 lbs | 1.0 lbs | 284 lbs | 1.72 tons |
Herd Size Feed Budgets for Llama
Planning feed purchases and storage requires estimating total feed needs for your herd over time. The table below shows monthly and annual feed requirements and costs for various herd sizes of llama at maintenance level using grass hay at $150/ton.
| Head Count | Daily DMI Total | Monthly Feed | Annual Feed | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 31.5 lbs | 0.47 tons | 5.75 tons | $979.90 |
| 10 | 63.0 lbs | 0.95 tons | 11.50 tons | $1,959.80 |
| 25 | 157.5 lbs | 2.36 tons | 28.74 tons | $4,899.50 |
| 50 | 315.0 lbs | 4.73 tons | 57.49 tons | $9,799.01 |
| 100 | 630.0 lbs | 9.45 tons | 114.98 tons | $19,598.01 |
| 200 | 1,260.0 lbs | 18.90 tons | 229.95 tons | $39,196.02 |
Other Animals
Browse feed requirement guides for other livestock species.