The donkey diet should consist of mainly good quality barley straw or oat straw (barley straw is best) and carefully restricted access to grass. Donkeys may require supplemental hay if they are not maintaining good body condition with the straw and restricted grass diet (for e.g. during the winter months).
- Feed forages with a low starch and sugar content, preferably under 10% sugar and starch.
- Have 'farm produced' forage tested to check the energy and sugar content.
- Commercially produced high fibre 'laminitic safe' haylage can be a good option.
- Very low energy short chop products may be useful.
What treats can I give my donkeys?
Six Homemade Mini Donkey Treats from the Heart
- Popgrain Balls. Our first yummy treat for mini donkeys is these Popgrain balls. ...
- Flax Snax. The sweetness of these Flax Snax can be attributed to ingredients like molasses, cinnamon, and coconut oil.
- Apple and Carrot Treats. ...
- No-Bake Cookies. ...
- Carrot Treats. ...
- Ultimate Donkey Cookie. ...
- Conclusion. ...
What should I Feed my donkey?
- Limited grazing (if available)
- No straw or hay
- UK: 2.25-3kg MolliChaff Donkey fed free-choice or several times a day, 0.5kg Saracen Donkey Diet, soaked and split into two feeds per day and 150g TopSpec Comprehensive Balancer per day. ...
- USA: 2.25-3kg Triple Crown Safe Starch Forage per day, fed free-choice or split into three or four feeds per day. ...
What should you feed your donkeys?
- Hay
- Straw
- Minerals and Vitamins
- Short chop chaff products
- High Fibre Pellets
- Fruits and Vegetables
- Dried Sugar Beet Pulp
- Don’t forget – Your donkey needs plenty of fresh water!
What is the best grain for donkeys?
What should I feed my donkey?
- Basic rules of feeding a donkey. Feed little and often as donkeys are ‘trickle feeders’. ...
- High fibre requirement. Donkeys require a diet high in fibre and low in protein, sugars, starch/carbohydrates and calories. ...
- Common health problems associated with an inappropriate diet. ...
- General. ...
- Elderly donkeys. ...
What do you do for a foundered donkey?
What are the best ways to treat grass founder? If you suspect your donkey has laminitis, ensure it has access to a deep bed of shavings, easy access to food and water, then call your vet immediately. As with many diseases, prompt treatment can make all the difference.
What can I feed an old donkey?
To tempt fussy donkeys, carrots, bananas and apples are invaluable; however, donkeys with poor teeth may struggle with them. Grated carrots and apples are ideal, however if this is not practical mashed, tinned carrots may be used or small amounts of unsweetened apple sauce may be helpful.
What is the best feed to feed donkeys?
What to feed your donkeysStraw. We recommend feeding donkeys quality barley straw as it is high in fibre and low in sugar, and closely resembles the food that a donkey would eat in the wild. ... Hay. ... Silage. ... High fibre pellets. ... Short chop chaff products. ... Dried sugar beet pulp. ... Succulents. ... Minerals and vitamins.More items...
What is the best salt block for donkeys?
The best is loose (granular) salt. Donkeys, mules and horses have smoother tongues than a cow and may not actually get their needed amount of salt from a block. They may end up biting the block in an attempt to get more, which can lead to teeth and jaw or tooth problems.
How do you treat laminitis in donkeys?
Care for a donkey with laminitiscall your vet immediately to arrange an urgent visit. ... provide a deep bed with bedding that will mould around the hoof and provide support, such as shavings or straw.ensure easy access to food and water.
What is the best grain for a donkey?
barley strawThe donkey diet should consist of mainly good quality barley straw or oat straw (barley straw is best) and carefully restricted access to grass. Donkeys may require supplemental hay if they are not maintaining good body condition with the straw and restricted grass diet (for e.g. during the winter months).
What foods are toxic to donkeys?
Barley straw is a great option along with Meadow hay or seed hay. However, it's important to avoid feeding donkeys cereal grain, as they may develop gastric ulcers from these. Many other foods can be harmful to donkeys such as bread, rotting fruit, chicken feed, and horse nuts, and should all be avoided.
Are Timothy pellets good for donkeys?
Donkeys and mules that are not doing any work should be able to meet all of their nutrient requirements from good grass hay (such as timothy or orchard grass offered from Standlee Premium Western Forage) fed at a rate of 1.5% of body weight and a low-intake ration balancer pellet.
What is toxic to donkeys?
As little as 20% of black walnut in the shavings can cause toxicity in horses or donkey. Red Maple (Acer rubrum) ingestion can cause destruction of the red blood cells when ingested by horses or donkeys. This can cause secondary kidney damage as well. Red or dark colored urine is typically the first sign seen.
Is a salt lick good for donkeys?
Donkeys need salt and, if suffering from a salt deficiency, they may eat dirt or lick/chew objects. To avoid this, pour some loose salt into a separate container to other food or give a little at night. You can also buy equine salt lick blocks, but make sure you do not buy a cattle salt block by mistake.
Is Himalayan salt good for donkeys?
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Is molasses good for donkeys?
What do donkeys eat & drink – can I feed them? Donkeys usually eat barley straw, hay, grass (pasture) and various other things like bread, molasses & sugar beet which are mixed in with their feed, as well as carrots, apples, pears, turnip & swede.
What is barley straw for donkeys?
Barley straw is the best all-rounder for most healthy donkeys, as it makes a good feeding and bedding straw and is readily available. Wheat straw is more fibrous than barley straw and more difficult to chew. We would usually only recommend feeding it to younger donkeys for this reason.
Are Timothy pellets good for donkeys?
Donkeys and mules that are not doing any work should be able to meet all of their nutrient requirements from good grass hay (such as timothy or orchard grass offered from Standlee Premium Western Forage) fed at a rate of 1.5% of body weight and a low-intake ration balancer pellet.
Can donkeys have sweet feed?
We vaccinate in the spring and fall. Consult your veterinarian for the types of vaccines you will need for your area. You should never feed Longears (donkeys, or mules) any pre-mixed sweet feeds, or products high in alfalfa.
Can donkeys eat bread?
What do donkeys eat & drink – can I feed them? Donkeys usually eat barley straw, hay, grass (pasture) and various other things like bread, molasses & sugar beet which are mixed in with their feed, as well as carrots, apples, pears, turnip & swede.
Can a donkey have a ration balancer?
A product like Hallway Feeds Pure & Simple Balancer can support a healthy digestive tract and has the protein, vitamins, and minerals that many equines need to ensure overall health. Note , though, that a donkey would be fed a balancer at a much lower rate than a pony. Consult your vet for appropriate advice.
Is a donkey a pet?
Donkeys are growing in popularity as pets, even here in Kentucky, home of the Horse Capital of the World! Because donkeys look so similar to ponies, their owners may think Hallway Feeds is a good option to ensure they get all the nutrition they need. However, donkeys and ponies are very different—with different digestive systems, ...
Is a donkey a browser?
For example, ponies are grazers, and they can meet a lot of their nutritional needs out in the pasture. Donkeys, however, are both grazers and browsers.
Can donkeys get laminitis?
It also means that if a donkey is let loose in a lush pasture, he’s more likely to put on too much weight. (And yes, overweight donkeys can develop laminitis.) Ideally, a donkey’s year-round diet should include more mature hay than grass, to help keep his condition in check.
Can donkeys eat cereal?
Donkeys, on the other hand, don’t need this kind of supplementation. In fact, cereal grains should never be fed to a donkey; a donkey’s increased metabolism of energy and protein makes cereal grains completely off-limits.
What do donkeys eat?
High fibre requirement. Donkeys require a diet high in fibre and low in protein, sugars, starch/carbohydrates and calories. The donkey diet should consist of mainly good quality barley straw or oat straw (barley straw is best) and carefully restricted access to grass. Donkeys may require supplemental hay if they are not maintaining good body ...
What is trickle feeding?
This is known as trickle feeding and helps to keep the donkey’s digestive system healthy and to keep the donkey occupied. Please note that, while donkeys are a member of the Equidae or horse family, they are a different species to horses and therefore have different needs.
How to keep donkeys indoors?
Donkeys kept indoors require a floor-level feed bin or corner-floor feeder placed so that feed cannot get soiled. Hay nets are not recommended as it is better for donkeys to eat from the floor and empty hay nets can be a hazard. Place enough straw in the feeder so that they can browse through it. There will be no waste as the remainder can be used for bedding. If possible, position the feeder so that the donkey’s feet are not on the bedding while they are eating, so they have a chance to dry out. It is recommended to allow ‘paddock’ time to exercise and for environmental enrichment.#N#Donkeys should always have access to a clean water supply and they may be quite fussy about what they drink. A securely supported bucket or a self-filling trough should be constantly available and should be cleaned out daily after the stable has been mucked out to avoid a build up of dust or dirt in the water.
Why do donkeys need veterinary attention?
These donkeys will require veterinary attention to address the dental issues and special dietary attention to ensure they receive adequate nutrition. They may require supplementary feeding with high fibre products that are more easily eaten e.g. short-chop high fibre products to reduce the need to chew.
How do donkeys survive?
Donkeys have evolved over thousands of years to live in semi-arid environments where the nutritional quality of the food available is very poor. They have adapted to eat fibrous plant material in small quantities throughout the day. This is known as trickle feeding and helps to keep the donkey’s digestive system healthy and to keep ...
Can donkeys have laminitis?
Limit cereal (grain) based diets. In one study, donkeys that had been fed a diet including cereal-based concentrates were more likely to have gastric ulcers when compared to donkeys fed on a fibre concentrate or forage-only diet.
Do donkeys need special diets?
Elderly donkeys. Please note that elderly donkeys may require special dietary attention. Dental disease and/or other health problems may mean that older donkeys have trouble chewing long strands of straw/hay and therefore they may require supplementary feeding to provide an alternative fibre source.
Why do donkeys eat desert?
Due to their typical desert diet, their digestive system is much more efficient than that of a horse, and therefore donkeys require a different feeding strategy. In many parts of the world, donkeys face the issue of malnutrition and starvation.
How to care for a donkey?
To correctly care for your donkey, remember that it is not just a “horse with longer ears”. Donkeys are unique in their nutritional and care requirements, but they will give you endless enjoyment if you manage them properly. Categories. Care and Management, Feeding Management, Horse Nutrition, How To, Weight Control.
What to feed a rescue horse?
If the teeth are OK, can use either a good quality grass forage (coastal, timothy, brome, Tifton etc.) or a legume such as alfalfa.
Can you feed a donkey hay?
Then you can feed the donkey his correct amount of hay where he can get to it. This may help your older horse as well, since she won’t be competing for her feed and though he may not think so, your donkey will benefit from a more appropriate diet. Thanks for the question!
Do donkeys need energy?
In countries like the United States we present donkeys with energy rich food and usually don’t require them to work very hard for it. People tend to feed these animals just like horses – but a diet that may be perfectly fine for a maintenance horse could cause the average donkey to become grossly overweight.
Do donkeys eat horses?
Donkeys have a little different feeding behavior in some cases than horses. You might try a different feed just to give the donkey a different taste/feel. Old timers used to say that donkeys are very responsive to anything that made them uncomfortable and learn to graze very selectively, more so than horses.
Is donkey feed better than horse feed?
Hello Larry, Thanks for the question. Donkeys are typically more efficient digesters, and thus easier to put weight on than horses. We would suggest a high fat, high fiber horse feed, that is also controlled starch. SafeChoice Original or Special Care would both be excellent options for you. Good luck!
Why do donkeys die?
Hyperlipidemia —excess fat in the blood—is a health issue in donkeys that can be fatal. It is the main cause of death in donkeys. It can occur when an animal goes off feed and goes into “negative energy balance,” where more energy is being used than what is being consumed.
What is the difference between a donkey and a horse?
The major difference is that they are more efficient animals. For example, donkeys are considered to be browsers and are selective about the forage they consume.
What supplements are good for mules?
Mules in training or heavy exercise may thrive on special dietary attention and supplementation to support athleticism, muscle recovery and longevity including the addition of alfalfa, flax oil, joint-supporting nutrients, probiotics and ulcer support formulas and antioxidants like vitamin E and selenium.
Why do donkeys need more energy?
Winter and cold weather may increase caloric needs and higher hay levels may be used. Some donkeys may require higher energy levels to support growth , pregnancy, lactation, performance or work-load needs.
Why do donkeys need less protein than horses?
Donkeys also require less protein than horses as they have an enhanced ability to recycle nitrogen via the reabsorption of urea —up to 80 percent—created during protein metabolism.
What is the best supplement for donkeys?
Supplements. A comprehensive vitamin and mineral supplement that is nutrient dense but low in carbohydrates to safely balance the diet. Omega-3 fatty acids , an essential fat with a wide spectrum of health benefits, especially important for donkeys not on pasture.
What is the best way to keep a donkey?
Keeping donkeys at an ideal body weight is proactive health care and may help to prevent metabolic issues. Using a Body Condition Score (BCS) chart specifically for donkeys, based on 1 to 5 versus the 1 to 9 scale used for horses, can be a great tool for identifying when dietary adjustments are needed. Although they are famously “easy keepers,” ...
What do mules and donkeys eat?
Mules & donkeys are members of the equine family along with horses, ponies, and zebras. Most people think you can feed them a diet similar to horses but in lower quantity. Donkeys however have unique evolutionary traits that make them anatomically and behaviorally distinct. Donkeys are highly adaptable feeders that if given the opportunity will consume a variety of different grasses and shrubs to obtain sufficient nutrients. It is generally accepted that the donkeys can exist with less food than a horse. Donkeys and mules can utilize more mature, less digestible, more fibrous plant material than a horse. They are able to metabolize their feed very efficiently and can be overfed very easily. The donkeys’ efficient utilization of food makes them "easy keepers." However, don’t let the term misguide you. It is important to take care in determining when and how much to feed a donkey. Obesity is a major concern in modern domesticated donkeys and mules.
Why are donkeys prone to obesity?
Donkeys and mules are prone to obesity and will develop laminitis if they are given access to lush grass such as spring and fall pasture.
Why do donkeys have fat on their necks?
Several studies in horses and ponies have clearly shown that regional fat deposited on the neck of the animal indicated a higher risk for developing metabolic challenges such as insulin resistance and laminitis. Donkeys frequently accumulate fat on their necks and are at high risk of insulin resistance and laminitis.
What classes of donkeys need concentrate feeding?
Classes of donkeys and mules that need concentrate feeding include those that are working heavily, pregnant, lactating, growing or senior. The amount of concentrate that should be provided is determined by the BW and physiological state of the animal.
How do donkeys conserve water?
It has been suggested that donkeys have the ability to conserve internal water stores and avoid thirst by reducing sweating for temperature control and reducing the amount of water lost in man ure.
What is the water requirement for donkeys?
Donkeys have the lowest water requirements of all domestic animals with the exception of camels. Under hot conditions (85°F to 100°F) donkeys consume water at a rate of 9% of BW per day. Under cooler conditions donkeys consume water at a rate of 4-5% of their BW per day.
What are the challenges of a donkey?
Nutritional Disorders. Obesity is the biggest challenge facing most non-working donkeys and mules kept in areas of the world where food sources are abundant and of good quality. Emaciation is very common in most areas where donkeys are used heavily for work and food is scarce and of poor quality. Body condition scoring donkeys is very similar ...
What to feed a donkey with good teeth?
Encourage ad-lib feeding - straw is particularly useful for those with good teeth and should be freely available. A non-pasture run out area such as a dirt paddock, sand school or bark chipped area will allow the donkey precious exercise time without access to grazing once veterinary advice allows periods of exercise.
How to stop a donkey from becoming overweight?
Monitor your donkey's weight to avoid your donkey becoming overweight and gradually reduce weight if this is already a problem. Remember there is no safe time to graze a laminitic donkey - fructan levels in grass can spike at any time of day or year with the right weather conditions. Avoid feeding sugary treats.
What to feed forage with?
Things you should do. Feed forages with a low starch and sugar content, preferably under 10% sugar and starch. Have ‘farm produced’ forage tested to check the energy and sugar content. Commercially produced high fibre ‘laminitic safe’ haylage can be a good option. Very low energy short chop products may be useful.
Do donkeys need specialist feeding?
Donkeys with laminitis need specialist feeding, which often requires major changes to feeding and other aspects of daily care. Managing donkeys with laminitis is a long-term issue focused around maintaining a healthy weight and feeding appropriately to prevent recurrence/exacerbation of the condition. Laminitis is a complex health issue and ...
Can a donkey graze on a frosty pasture?
Do not allow the donkey to graze a frosty pasture on a sunny morning as the level of fructans in the grass may be very high at this time. Do not feed senior or conditioning feeds even if the donkey is underweight as these feeds are too high in proteins, fats, starch and sugars.
How to avoid grass founder in a donkey?
Suggestions for Avoiding Grass Founder in Your Mule or Donkey. Limit their access to lush pasture. In those equines that have had grass founder before, it may be best to keep them off lush pasture entirely until the grass is more mature. See Getting Your Mule to Trust You and Catching Them In Pasture On Your Terms.
Why do donkeys have laminitis?
This is because the equine is trying to shift its weight off its painful front feet to its hind legs. Long standing cases of front foot laminitis may result in loss of muscle over the shoulder area as the donkey attempts to take most of its body weight on the hind limbs.
What happens when a horse has grass founder?
When an equine has grass founder, they experience inflammation of the laminae in the foot. Laminae are accordion-like tissues, like a shock absorber, that attach the inner surface of the hoof wall to the coffin bone in the hoof, to keep the coffin bone in place. As the outside hoof wall widens, it pushes on the coffin bone, ...
What does a dull donkey mean?
The donkey may appear ‘dull’ and we already know that a dull donkey is a veterinary emergency. Grass-foundered equines move gingerly, like they’re walking on eggshells and are often unwilling to turn or move at all. In severe cases, they may refuse to stand.
Why do grass founders not grind their feed?
The sharp points on their teeth cause them to not grind their feed properly. Grass Founder is a disease which can result in pain, destruction of inner hoof tissues, and even the eventual rotation of the coffin bone within the hoof. It may involve one, two, or all four feet, and be mild to severe.
Why do horses eat green grass?
The reason mules, donkeys, overweight horses, and ponies get grass founder when eating rich, green grass is because it’s high in simple sugars and starches that are easily broken down by the bacteria in the equine large intestine. What happens when these simple sugars breakdown, is it causes a production of a substance that can damage ...
Do mules and donkeys have colic?
While mules and donkeys are not immune to many of the diseases and illnesses that horses contract, they are more resistant to them. Mules and donkeys are injured less often, they are less prone to colic, and they are less likely to develop common equine illnesses – with some exceptions, of course. They need the same basic care ...
What is the best feed for donkeys?
While grass and hay is often sufficient to supply the maintenance requirements for most donkeys and mules, additional supplementation in the form of concentrate feeds might be needed when donkeys cannot eat sufficient forage to meet nutrient requirements.
What classes of donkeys need concentrate feeding?
Classes of donkeys and mules that need concentrate feeding include those that are working heavily, pregnant, lactating, growing or senior. The amount of concentrate that should be provided is determined by the BW and physiological state of the animal.
What are the challenges of a donkey?
Nutritional Disorders. Obesity is the biggest challenge facing most non-working donkeys and mules that are kept in areas of the world where food sources are abundant and of good quality. Emaciation is very common in most areas where donkeys are used heavily for work, and food is scarce and of poor quality.
How do donkeys conserve water?
It has been suggested that donkeys are able to conserve internal water stores and avoid thirst by reducing sweating for temperature control and reducing the amount of water lost in manure.
What is the water requirement for donkeys?
Donkeys have the lowest water requirements of all domestic animals, with the exception of camels. Under hot conditions (85°F to 100°F), donkeys consumed water at a rate of 9% of BW per day. Under cooler conditions donkeys consumed water at a rate of 4-5% of their BW per day.
What is body condition scoring in donkeys?
Body condition scoring donkeys is very similar to condition scoring horses using a 1 to 9 scoring system where 1 is emaciated and 9 is obese. Donkeys tend to accumulate fat on the neck, on either side of the chest wall giving a saddlebag appearance and around the buttocks.
Can a donkey eat less than a horse?
It is generally accepted that the donkey can exist with less food than a horse. Thanks for watching! Donkeys and mules can utilize more mature, less digestible, more fibrous plant material than a horse. They are able metabolize their feed very efficiently and can be overfed very easily.
