A contribution to the energy supply of pre-ruminant and lactating llamas (Lama glama)

Objective: Despite the growing interest in llamas in Germany as farm and pet animals, very little information is available on the rearing of suckling llamas and the energy supply of lactating llamas. Therefore, the objective of the present short review is to derive some basic recommendations based on published data. Material and methods: Published data on milk composition, milk intake, body weight and daily growth rate were firstly used to derive the maintenance energy requirement for suckling llamas by regression procedures and secondly to give some practical recommendations on the milk supply in case of artificial rearing. Additionally, data on milk production and milk composition were used to calculate the energy requirement of lactating llamas at three different lactation periods. Results: The maintenance energy requirement for suckling llamas is 310 kJ/kg BW0.83 per day. The calculated energy requirement for one gram of daily growth is 15 U Based on milk intake studies, suckling llamas require in the first four weeks p. n. 250-230 g/kg BW0.83 which decreases to 80 g/kg BW0.83 until week 18 p. n. Energy requirements in lactating llamas range between 29.1 and 25.3 MJ ME per day depending on the body weight, milk composition, milk production and the lactational stage. Conclusion and clinical relevance: Insight into the maintenance energy requirement, the required energy for growth and the derived practical recommendations for the supply of milk in pre-ruminant llamas can serve as a guideline for llama keepers and veterinarians.