Re: [AlpacaTalk] alpaca feed
If folks are making decisions to start new feeds, have their own mixed,
or are considering changing feeds, I think it might be a really good
idea to educate yourself about the ingredients being used. While we look
at things labeled "by-products" usually in a negative light, in
the case of feeds, "by-products"
source of nutrition.
Using wheat midds or middlings which are a
by-product of milling for flour is a good thing. The starchey portion of
the wheat has been removed for flour, and what remains is a product
that is excellent for livestock, relatively high in protein, certain
minerals, and fiber.
Using distillers grains is basically the
same. The starchy portion of the corn, barley, etc have been
consumed in the process of fermentation to produce alcohols. The remaining
product is an excellent source of protein, fiber, and minerals, and the
yeast left there is also beneficial.
It is also useful to
understand that the compartmentalized alpaca stomach is actually a factory
where the bacteria and fungi located in the first two parts of the stomach
are there to convert the fiber, sugars, and starches into usable
components including alcohols, that are quickly converted into energy to
run the various systems of the alpaca.
Since the diet of the
alpaca is primarily forage which is low in protein, the third compartment,
the only portion that produces acid, is responsible for digesting the
bacteria and fungi which are the primary source of protein for the alpaca
to utilize. The proteins that are found in the alpaca forage and
supplements are actually used to create more bacteria etc. for the rumen
to keep operating. This is why ulcers occur in the third compartment
instead of elsewhere.
Because the whole system relies on a
symbiotic relationship between the alpaca and the beasties in its first
stomach compartments, doing anything that would upset the balance of
bacteria there can lead to problems. Sudden changes in feed or
ingestion of an unusually large amount of feed can cause the whole system
to go out of whack and cause anything from a minor stomach ache to
complete shut down.
Acidosis is not a condition in the stomach,
but rather a condition of the pH of the blood caused by an imbalance of
the bicarbonate, hydrogen ions, and carbon dioxide located
there. There are many, many causes for this, but the kidneys
and the lungs are what keep things in balance. It can certainly be caused
by a sudden feed change where there is an excess of starches that causes
the rumen organisms to produce acids rapidly that are absorbed into the
blood stream in too great a quantity to be handled by the alpaca's
compensatory mechanisms.
Another consideration when you look at
the feed label is that some ingredients may be added for
palatability. If it doesn't taste good to the alpaca, then it ain't goin'
to eat it and the minerals and vitamins you are trying to get into your
alpaca via the supplement will go on the compost pile.
Anywho
before you make a change, you should either trust the nutritionists behind
the company that is making the feed, or educate yourself so that you can
draw appropriate conclusions.
If you choose to have your
formulation mixed, visit the inner workings of the mill. When I was
considering this route, I quickly changed my mind when I saw the caliber
of the individuals actually back in the mill that would be making the
feed. I felt that the likelihood that errors in mixing would occur would
be high.
Lastly, a plug for making sure that your feed is
fresh. Most feeds should not sit for much over 3 months. Cold
weather can extend that time, while warm weather shortens it.
Palatability, risk for molding, and reduction of vitamins are all affected
by longer holding prior to feeding.
Laurel
Bluebird Hills
Farm
Springfield, Ohio
937-206-3936
www.bluebirdhills.
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posted by Chaddo at 8:31 AM
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