Where are my alpacas hanging out?  At the feeder, of course!  Different kinds of feeders exist: some work well for the larger alpaca, some for the small, and some for the in between.  Regardless, they all seem to be less than perfect.  Through the feeding process, you either have an excess of hay all over the ground or alpacas constantly at war as they compete for the feed.

The hot ticket for the alpaca rancher is to have NO feed waste.  In other words, keep the feed in the feeder, not on the ground and not in the alpaca’s topknot. 

Ideas to plan and design a feeder toward solving the excessive waste factor were envisioned and tried.  My first attempt resulted in a wooden 4’ x 8’ x 1’ deep box.  The second was funny looking yet functional using ½ inch conduit and 3/8 rod.  These items were available at the local scrap metal yard.  The conduit was placed vertically 2 feet apart around the perimeter.  The inner section was the 3/8” rod spaced 6” apart.  At a 6” spacing, the alpacas were able to get their heads in to eat off of the top of the bale.  This kept the alpaca feed competition and conflict to a minimum.  The metal structure, which gave the appearance of spider legs, was made to fit perfectly in the 4 feet square box.  As a plus, crias were able to put their little muzzles into the hay too! 

The first trial feeder led to an improved model.  The plan was to incorporate a mini-shelter in the first design and upgrade the “spider” effect for increased alpaca access.  So, back to the scrap metal yard.  This time 2” x 3” galvanized tubing was available and 1 ½” square galvanized too!  Unfortunately, I made the mistake of not getting extra of these valuable scrap pieces.  At a metal scrap yard, it is now or wait until who knows when for the availability of more of the same metal.

On the new model, I used 1 ½ square galvanized tubing to hold the plywood and hay box.  Two inch by three inch galvanized tubing was used for the uprights and the grid that was used to hold the corrugated galvanized roofing.

The new and better model feeder was made so that a 4’ x 8’ sheet of plywood would drop into the floor of the feeder.  It is important to keep the top of the sides 18” from ground level for cria hay access.  Spaces for adult alpacas were 2 feet between the uprights.  The rods were left 6 inches apart.  This helped to keep the bullies from chasing away the more submissive alpacas.  The conduit interferes with this unfavorable activity.  As a result, up to ten alpacas were feeding at one time without much fussing.  A perfect fitting 100-pound bale of hay was dropped in at the top of the feeder and strings tying it together cut after dropping it.  Our alpacas were able to get their heads through the rod with ease.  They pull the hay out from the sides or just put their heads through and eat off the top of the bale with minimal hay droppings.  With the roof at 10’ x 12’, the alpacas have some shade and, if it rains, their hay is kept dry. 

Dennis and Bea Miller have been awed by their alpaca herd on their hillside ranch in Wildomar, California for almost three years.  Though they are actively and successfully involved in raising, breeding, and showing their alpacas, they also work full time at their daytime professions.  They are proud to provide full service in related alpaca maintenance and care.