Alpacas are known to be complete herbivores usually surviving on a diet that is hundred percent plant related.
Alpacas graze on pasture when available and are also fed hay especially during winter.
As an alpaca owner you might want to incorporate eggs into your pets diet and might be thinking of safe ways to do that.
Eggs are nutritious and are not known to have an adverse effect on animals so alpacas eat them.
This article will discuss the health benefits of eggs to alpacas, how often to feed them eggs, whether they can eat raw, cooked and scrambled eggs amongst other questions.
What Are The Health Benefits Of Eggs To Alpacas?
- Fats
Eggs are known to contain omega 3 fatty acids. Omega 3 fatty acids are important nutrients which cannot be gotten from every food source.
Triglyceride levels in the blood are known to be reduced by omega-3 fatty acids, which is a well-known risk factor for heart disease.
Eggs help to keep your alpacas safe and healthy
- Protein
We all know proteins are the basic building blocks of the body and eggs are an excellent source of quality protein and one egg can contain up to 6 grams of protein in it.
Proteins are important in the alpacas bodies for increased muscle mass, bone health and even optimized blood pressure level.
- Antioxidants
Eggs contain the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin. Antioxidants are substances in the body that help to reduce the effects of cell damage and prevent oxidation.
Lutein and zeaxanthin are particularly important for promoting eye health and reducing the risk of eye disorder and problems.
- Choline
Choline is a lesser known nutrient which is quite important.
It is sometimes grouped as with B vitamins however it is quite an important nutrient whose deficiency can be damning and cause serious consequences.
Choline is used to build cell membranes and plays a role in the production of signal transduction in the brain, among other things.
- High Density Lipoprotein
High density lipoprotein or HDL is the good cholesterol in the body.
Higher levels of HDL are known to lower risk of heart disease, stroke and other heart related issues.
Here is an article I wrote on everything you can use to feed alpacas
How Often Should I Feed Them Eggs?
Eggs are not exactly a part of the alpacas diet. Alpacas are mainly herbivores whose diet consists majorly of plants, grasses and vegetation.
Pasture grasses and hay are needed to keep alpacas growing and developing.
Incorporating eggs into your alpacas diet will be a change for them as they are not exactly used to it.
If you are going to feed them eggs then you should start out slow and feed them very little at once so it doesn’t mess with their delicate systems.
Feeding eggs should not exactly be a regular thing, depending on how your alpacas react to it you might give them eggs twice a month or once a week.
Can Baby Alpacas Eat Eggs?
Baby alpacas usually rely on milk from their mothers breasts for the first weeks of life.
They have to be breastfed and suckled to ensure survival as they are usually very fragile at birth and lose a lot of weight immediately.
Focus for your baby alpacas should usually be on their mothers milk and ensure they are suckling well.
In a few weeks, they can begin to eat grasses and you can begin to include other foods in their diet.
It is possible that baby alpacas can eat eggs if they are soft boiled and then sliced into smaller pieces and makes it easy for them to eat.
Can Alpacas Eat Scrambled Eggs?
Scrambled eggs is a popular dish made with eggs, salt, oil, butter and other ingredients such as cheese.
The eggs are broken directly into the pan and milk and butter is added to the mix and any other preferred additives.
Scrambled eggs are popular in most homes and you might be wondering if it is safe to feed them to alpacas.
Alpacas are not exactly known to eat scrambled eggs but you can always offer them to your flock and watch how they react to it.
Even if they do accept it, scrambled eggs are not exactly the healthiest treats for your pet alpacas and you can focus on feeding them plant based treats instead.
Also check out this article I wrote on can alpacas eat kiwi
Can Alpacas Eat Cooked Eggs?
Alpacas are majorly herbivores and consist of a vegetarian diet which involves hay, grasses, silage and other plant related foods.
However, if you do want you can serve them soft boiled eggs.
This will serve as a nice and easy to chew treat for them.
Boiled eggs which do not have any extra additives or preservatives are safe to feed them and when given in moderation can offer them some health benefits.
Can Alpacas Eat Raw Eggs?
Although some mammals such as foxes and hedgehogs prey on raw eggs and are even known as egg thieves, alpacas do not fall into this category.
It is not advisable to give alpacas raw eggs. Alpacas are mainly vegetarians and prefer to eat grasses and plant related foods.
They might actually be put off by the smell and taste of raw eggs.
Also, the gentle alpacas have quite the sensitive stomach which can be upset by eating raw eggs if they do happen to eat it.
If you want to give your alpacas treats at all costs then you can give them fruits such as apples, bananas and vegetables like carrot and celery.
These treats will be loved and appreciated by the alpacas.
Things To Watch Out For Before Feeding Them Eggs?
Your alpacas might not take to eating eggs as it is not part of their major diets.
You might give them a few slices of eggs to ensure that they will like it and also watch to see that it does not have any negative effect on them.
Put in mind that egg feeding should not be an everyday thing as it is not a recommended treat for alpacas.
How Can I Feed Eggs To Alpacas?
The best way to prepare eggs for alpacas is to boil them and then slice into smaller pieces for them to eat.
After boiling you can slice it into a vegetable mix to make a sort of healthy vegetable salad for them to eat.
Conclusion
Eggs are one of the most popular foods in the world and it is loved by animals and humans alike.
There are several ways to cook up scrumptious egg recipes which can be shared with your family.
Alpacas are majorly herbivores and eat a diet that consists mainly of plants and vegetation.
Eggs are not exactly part of their diet and it is not in any recommended treat sheet however it has not been shown to have an adverse effect on them.
Feeding them soft boiled eggs can be a nice treat however raw eggs should not be fed to alpacas.
