Puget Sound Veterinary Nutrition Group
Quality feed products for Alpacas and Llamas
Puget Sound Veterinary Nutrition Group was formed in 2004 as a service to Dr. Jackie’s Camelid clients. Finding a good quality, commercially available feed to meet the unique requirements of their Pacific Northwest herds was a challenge many farms struggled with. Dr. Scott & Dr. Jackie formulated Puget Sound Maintenance (PS-M) and Puget Sound Lactation and Cria (PS-LC) to help fill those gaps.
Grain Types
Frequently Asked Questions
How much grain do I feed a day?
PSVNG Maintenance or Maintenance-Based Ration: 1/2 pound per 150 pounds of body weight
PSVNG Lactation & Cria Ration: 2/3 pound per 150 pounds of body weight
*For cria: Adlib with the goal of 1/4 pound a day at 50 pounds of body weight
Ideally all rations should be divided into 2 meals per day to provide a more even nutrient distribution.
What animals in my herd are fed PSVNG Lactation & Cria Ration?
Females that are 2 months from delivering a cria, females that are nursing a cria, and cria up to 1 year of age.
If I have pregnant females who need to be on the medicated grain, can I give ½ PSVNG Lactation & Cria Ration and ½ PSVNG Medicated?
No, the medicated ration must be fed as directed or there will be no benefit. Feed ½ pound of PSVNG Medicated as directed and add ¼ pound of PSVNG Lactation & Cria.
Do I need to feed my older boys who are not breeding or showing?
Yes. The goal of PSVNG Maintenance Ration is to provide balanced vitamin and mineral supplementation. To optimize the health and fiber production of the animals it is important to feed them as directed.
Why can’t I purchase PSVNG Medicated Ration without a doctor/patient relationship?
In the case of alpacas there is not a medicated grain approved to feed by label. By law, a doctor/patient relationship is required to feed or use something medicated “off label”.
Why should I feed TMR to my older alpacas?
PSVNG Total Mixed Ration, or TMR, is a more digestible and palatable feed that is easier to eat due to dental or other health issues.
At what age should cria begin eating grain? Is there an age that is too young?
No, there is not really an age that is too young. Beginning to eat grain in the first two weeks of life is good for optimal health. It is imperative that cria be eating grain at the time of weaning.
Can I feed a lesser quality hay if I feed PSVNG Rations?
No. Forage represents more than 85% of the alpaca/llama diet. All producers should test hay and pasture annually for nutritional integrity.
Do I need to give Vitamin A & D shots if I feed PSVNG Ration?
No. PSVNG has extensively researched Vitamin A & D use. In the Pacific Northwest, if the grain is fed to the recommended daily requirements, the nutritional needs will be met.
How much hay do I need to feed a day…? How much hay do I need to buy for the year?
25 animals X 3 pounds per animal per day = 75 pounds, or 27,375 pounds for the year (or 14 ton, or (365) 75 pound bales).
*3 pounds per day is based off of dry lot, or, no other forage except hay.
Tonnage - # Animals X 3 pounds per day = ______ X 365 days ÷ 2000 lbs = _____ ton
Bales - # Animals X 3 pounds per day = ______ X 365 days ÷ individual bale weight = ____ bales