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).
What do you feed a donkey?
Consider feeding your donkey chaff, a mixture of chopped up hay and/or straw. There are many types of chaff on the market. These contain variable amounts of chopped rye, timothy or alfalfa grasses and oat straw. Some have added oil, molasses, minerals, herbs or hoof growth supplements whilst others are high fibre and molasses free.
How can we help Poitou donkeys?
The sanctuary's help included research into genetic blood grouping of all known Poitou donkeys, artificial insemination and advice and help to the French breeders on modern techniques and stable management. The first step was to identify each donkey by electronic marking, which we funded.
What is a Poitou donkey?
What is a Poitou donkey? The Poitou donkey breed originates from the Poitou region of France, about 300 miles south-west of Paris, and has a thick, matted and tangled coat. The adult male Poitou is called a baudet (pronounced 'bo-day') and stands at 142-152 cm, while the Poitou mare is called an ânesse and is about one hand lower.
How to feed a donkey grass pellets?
For this purpose, it is recommended that you feed your donkey grass pellets that contain about 5% of its bodyweight. The best way to feed a donkey is to offer it high-quality hay.
What to feed donkeys in winter?
What do donkeys eat?
Why do donkeys eat straw?
How do donkeys control grass?
What is the best grass for donkeys?
When is the best time to cut hay for donkeys?
What is the phone number for the welfare of a pasture?
See more
About this website
What is best feed for 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...
Are Poitou donkeys rare?
“The Baudet du Poitou breed is currently endangered,” Dr. Podico explains. “Their population is below 500 animals worldwide.” In 1977, there were only 44 of these donkeys, since automation of the agriculture industry made them less valuable in farming.
What do you feed miniature donkeys?
Miniature donkeys eat grass and hay. One barrell of hay has several precut blocks. Feed one block to each miniature donkey per day. Check on the water every couple of hours to make sure that it is clean of insects and algae and make sure to have water in various places out of direct sunlight.
What should you not feed donkeys?
Avoid dusty or mouldy feeds. Access to an equine salt or mineral lick is advisable (avoid mineral licks designed for other types of livestock as they may contain inappropriate mineral levels).
How many Poitou donkeys are there?
The Baudet du Poitou has a massive bone structure and is known for its strength. In 1977 there were just 44 registered pure bred Poitou donkeys left in the world, even today there are fewer than 800 worldwide and less than 60 in the UK.
Are Poitou donkeys endangered?
Baudet du Poitou donkeys are endangered. Their numbers have dwindled to only 300-400 worldwide. A breeding effort is underway at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's College of Veterinary Medicine to expand their numbers and help save the breed from extinction.
Can mini donkeys eat sweet feed?
You should never feed Longears (donkeys, or mules) any pre-mixed sweet feeds, or products high in alfalfa. Equines in general should never be turned out in a pasture with Fescue grass.
How much hay should a mini donkey eat in a day?
For miniature donkeys, all you would need to feed is 10 g (1/3 oz) per day. The buckets are much smaller and have a longer shelf life, so there would be no concern about the product going stale.
Do mini donkeys need salt blocks?
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.
What is poisonous 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.
Are rolled oats good for donkeys?
Youngsters under the age of two and older donkeys that are more than 20-years-old have been found to do well on rolled oats or a 50 per cent rolled oat and 50 per cent rolled barley mix. Adult donkeys over the age of two years do well on good quality, clean whole oats.
What do donkeys eat for treats?
TreatsBasic treats like carrots, apples, peppermints, bananas, watermelon, oranges, pears, grapes, celery, strawberries, and pumpkin are all safe for donkeys. ... Donkeys like sweet flavors, like raspberry.More items...
Can donkeys just eat grass?
Because food availability in their native settings is sparse donkeys in such environments don't only eat grass. They happily eat browse (woody shrubs, trees, and broadleaf plants) and forbs (flowing plants) as well.
What pellets to feed donkeys?
You may choose to feed mineral balancer pellets, which is a concentrated and economical pellet shaped feed that provides the donkey with daily minerals that it needs but also balances the ratio of minerals which are needed for most diets.
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 do donkeys eat for treats?
TreatsBasic treats like carrots, apples, peppermints, bananas, watermelon, oranges, pears, grapes, celery, strawberries, and pumpkin are all safe for donkeys. ... Donkeys like sweet flavors, like raspberry.More items...
What Type of Forage Should You Feed Donkeys? – The Horse
Donkeys’ crude protein requirement is somewhere in the range of 3.8% and 7.4% of the diet compared to 8% to 12% for mature horses. Donkeys have the ability to recycle nitrogen, so they do not ...
What should I feed my donkey? – RSPCA Knowledgebase
Donkeys have evolved over thousands of years to live in semi-arid environments where the nutritional quality of the food available is very poor.
Feeding Donkeys and Mules – LMF Feeds, Inc.
Read the nutritional article on Feeding Donkeys and Mules that's provided by LMF Feeds, Inc. Don't forget to view all nutritional articles for useful information
Nutrition and Feeding of Donkeys | IVIS
As a guide when feeding donkeys: Roughages with a score under 6 are poor with little energy value, while those over 12 will have high levels of digestible energy and so be good for feeding working, lactating or growing donkeys.
What do pony feeds need?
Depending on a pony’s condition, size, and workload, he may need to consume a feed to ensure he gets the nutrients he needs for optimal health. This could include something like Fibrenergy, a textured feed with the kind of protein, vitamins, and minerals vital to a working pony.
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.
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.
Do donkeys need salt?
In addition, both ponies and donkeys need plenty of fresh, clean water and access to a free-choice, equine salt block.
What does a donkey eat?
The donkey is a herbivore. This means that it eats plants as food. The food provides the energy, protein, minerals and vitamins which the donkey needs for maintenance, for work, for growth, and when appropriate for pregnancy and lactation.
Why do donkeys need to be fed?
There are many reasons to feed a donkey well. Good feeding keeps a donkey in good body condition. This makes it less prone to harness and saddle sores when working. Good nutrition can reduce the occurrence of disease, reduce the effects of disease on the donkey and help increase the rate of recovery from a disease.
What is concentrate feed for horses?
Concentrate feeds contain carbohydrates mainly in the simple form whereas roughages are high in fibre, the complex carbohydrates. Concentrate feed usually provides the donkey with the more readily accessible form of energy, which can be readily digested and absorbed in the small intestine. A donkey fed mainly on the complex carbohydrates in roughage relies mainly on the micro-organisms in the large intestine to produce the energy giving substrates in a form it can use. Donkeys and horses cannot be fed on concentrates alone. They must have some fibre in the diet to stimulate muscle contractions in the digestive tract, and to dilute the more readily fermentable simple carbohydrates. This reduces chances of colic or other digestive problems, which can occur when equids are fed high levels of concentrate feed.
How to meet water requirements for donkeys?
The best advice that can be given on how to meet water requirements is - offer water to the donkey at every opportunity and at least 4 times a day, more if it is working in the heat. Contrary to popular belief a donkey, and a horse, does not suffer from water toxicity. Both species can drink large amounts of water in one go without suffering any ill effects. A donkey deprived of water is very good at drinking to its requirements. In a study in Zimbabwe donkeys drinking only every 48 hours, drank the same amount over a three-week period as donkeys allowed to drink as much as they wanted daily. Working donkeys can also be watered during work in the day with no harm. In any short rest periods it is important to make sure the donkey is in the shade and to offer it water. It may not drink straight away so let the donkey spend some time at the trough or with the water bucket (at least 5 minutes) to see if it will drink. When it starts drinking it may pause in drinking and look about, make sure it is allowed to continue until it has finished and turns away of its own accord.
How much time do donkeys spend feeding?
In natural conditions a donkey would spend 14 - 16 hours a day in feeding. It is important that donkeys kept on grazing land have time to eat. Work in particular takes the donkey away from feeding. The more work it does the less time there is for feeding, but the more food is needed to meet the increased energy requirement. A working donkey therefore needs more concentrated feeds than one that is not working. Donkeys are more susceptible to the time available for eating than cattle. Cattle increase rate of eating if they have been working, donkeys do not, since the initial chewing is more important in processing the food in the donkey than in the ox (a ruminant).
What is the digestive system of a donkey?
It consists of the mouth (lips and teeth), the esophagus, the stomach, the small intestine, the large intestine (cecum and colon) and the rectum.
How long does it take for a donkey to change its diet?
The type of food fed determines the types and proportions of the micro-organisms in the hind-gut. It can take up to two weeks for the micro-organisms to adapt to a change in diet, and so it is very important not to change a diet too quickly. Sudden changes in diet can result in colic, diarrhea or laminitis. It is better to change a diet gradually, so as not to upset the micro-organisms and hence upset the donkey. A common time for problems in some countries is at the start of the wet season when new grass suddenly becomes available and people switch their donkeys from a crop residue based diet to a grazing regimen.
What do donkeys need to eat?
Donkeys require a diet high in fibre and low in protein, sugars, starch/carbohydrates and calories.
What type of hay do donkeys need?
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). Types of suitable hay include: Meadow hay or seed hay (from Rye or Timothy grass).
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 ...
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.
What are some good foods for donkeys?
Bananas. Bananas are another fruit that is very popular with donkeys. High in potassium, bananas are also a source of vitamin B6, fiber, magnesium, vitamin C, and manganese ( source ). Some of these essential minerals (namely potassium and magnesium) are an important part of a donkey’s healthy diet.
What to feed a donkey when it's sick?
According to The Donkey Sanctuary, wild strawberries are a good treat for a sick donkey.
How much fiber is in strawberries for donkeys?
Strawberries are full of water, very low in calories, and a good source of fiber–100 grams of strawberries contain 2 grams of fiber–all traits that make them a very healthy treat for your donkeys.
What fruits do donkeys like?
Table of Contents. 9 Fruits Donkeys Love. 1. Apples. 2. Bananas.
What are the minerals in pumpkins?
Pumpkins are also full of essential minerals including magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus ( source ).
Do donkeys like treats?
Donkeys love treats. Adding fruits and vegetables to a donkey’s diet provides variety and encourages a healthy appetite. However, donkeys also have very particular nutritional needs. They are prone to obesity, which can lead to hyperlipidemia, a dangerous or even deadly condition for them. Having a well-planned feeding program for your donkey ...
Can donkeys eat banana peel?
Also, no need to take that peel off! Banana peel is safe for donkeys and they love eating it ( sourc e ).
WHAT DO DONKEYS EAT?
They are natural browsers and enjoy grass, bushes, berries, and fallen fruit that they may find in their natural habitat.
How many donkeys do you need to get a happy dog?
So keep this in mind when getting one. You might need two donkeys for them to be happy.
Why do donkeys need a friend?
Donkeys need a friend. It is vital to their health and well-being. They will often pair up for life with one donkey or other equines such as horses, mules, and goats. They can get very stressed when removed from their companion or even when the companion has died.
Why is my donkey not moving?
Check their hooves daily for muck and stones that need to be removed. And remember, when your donkey does not want to move, it might not be stubbornness but rather a sign of pain.
Why are donkeys used as guard animals?
8.) Donkeys are used as guard animals for cattle, sheep, and goats since they have a natural aversion to canines and will keep them away from a flock. ( However, since miniature donkeys are smaller, they don't offer the same protection. So keep this in mind when getting them if you want them for protection) They can help protect against a single canine attack, or 1 fox, etc. They cannot handle a large heard.
How to introduce new chicks to a flock?
When introducing new chicks to a flock, I would have them in the same area but divided by a fence, so they can see and get used to each other . I use this same practice for our other animals.
Which is stronger, a horse or a donkey?
5.) Donkeys are very strong and sometimes even stronger than a horse.
Where do Poitou donkeys come from?
What is a Poitou donkey? The Poitou donkey breed originates from the Poitou region of France, about 300 miles south-west of Paris, and has a thick, matted and tangled coat.
How many Poitou donkeys were there in 1995?
It showed that the young and growing population of pure-bred Poitous was three times greater than that of 15 years earlier. In 1995 there were over 200 Poitou donkeys.
What is a Poitou mare called?
The adult male Poitou is called a baudet (pronounced 'bo-day') and stands at 142-152 cm, while the Poitou mare is called an ânesse and is about one hand lower. For hundreds of years the Poitou was bred solely to be used in mule breeding, an activity that made an important contribution to the French agricultural economy and earned ...
When did the Donkey Sanctuary merge with the Donkey Sanctuary?
In 1988 our sister charity (now merged into The Donkey Sanctuary), the Elisabeth Svendsen Trust for Children and Donkeys (EST), brought three pure-bred Poitous to England so that they could be closely observed - a three year old male called Torrent and two ânesses called Jonquille and Amanda.
What to feed donkeys in winter?
If you plan to feed your donkeys hay during the winter months, ensure you have enough forage in store to see you through the winter as supplies could run out before the winter is over. Never feed donkeys mouldy hay as they may have potentially fatal allergies to the mould. It is best to try and build up a good relationship with your hay supplier to make sure you have a consistent supply of good, clean hay suitable for feeding to your donkeys. Different types of hay available include:
What do donkeys eat?
In their natural habitat donkeys will browse, eating highly fibrous plant material in small quantities throughout the day. During the spring and summer the donkeys at The Donkey Sanctuary have access to restricted grazing.
Why do donkeys eat straw?
Constant access to straw allows a donkey to eat to appetite without consuming too many calories. Too many additional calories adds a risk that the donkey could put on excess weight, which has associated risks of developing health conditions such as laminitis and hyperlipaemia.
How do donkeys control grass?
The amount of grass donkeys have access to is controlled, either by strip grazing using electric fencing or by co-grazing with other species to prevent them from becoming overweight. During the winter months some of our donkeys are housed in large airy barns with concrete run-out yards, without access to grass.
What is the best grass for donkeys?
Meadow Hay is a natural mix of grasses made from grass grown on old pasture and is suitable for feeding to donkeys. Seed Hay is also good for donkeys. It is a planted crop of specific grasses, such as rye or timothy, which the farmer makes from the stems remaining after the grain has been taken.
When is the best time to cut hay for donkeys?
Weather conditions tend to influence the cutting season - late May to July. Remember late cut hay will have lower energy values, which may suit your donkeys if they are overweight and require forage with a lower energy content, but not if they are elderly/underweight donkeys that need feeding up.
What is the phone number for the welfare of a pasture?
For more information about nutrition and pasture management, please call the welfare advice line on 01395 578222.
Introduction
Feeding Strategy of The Donkey
- To feed a donkey well does not require a large amount of money or feed, it is easier to feed a working donkey well than for example a working ox. The donkey is smaller and so needs less actual feed than most cattle. However, the way in which the donkey processes the food and what it gets from it are different from an ox. It is important to remember this when feeding donkeys - t…
The Digestive Tract
- The anatomy of the digestive system of the donkey is similar to that of the horse (Figure 1). It consists of the mouth (lips and teeth), the esophagus, the stomach, the small intestine, the large intestine (cecum and colon) and the rectum.
Foods Available
- Most donkeys are fed on roughages for most of their life, supplemented with grazing of natural grassland, roadsides, bush and scrubland if they are kept in the rural areas. Many working donkeys are found in urban and peri-urban areas of the world where opportunities for grazing are few and people feed their animals entirely on purchased feeds. In t...
Guidelines to Feeding Donkeys For Different Activities
- These are guidelines, since the exact amounts and proportions will be affected by how much production is expected from the donkey, its body condition and the food available. A thin donkey has few body reserves of energy, whereas a donkey in good condition does have something in reserve for a short period. Table 1shows how to assess the feeding value of roughage in terms …
Conclusions
- The final test of a ration is to try feeding it to some donkeys and see if it is palatable, maintains weight and keeps the animals healthy. Feed a range of feedstuffs - if possible a mixture of dry forage, green forage and some concentrate - and then you can rarely go wrong. Feed the young donkey on the best possible feeds available, good quality roughage and high protein, energy con…
General Textbooks on Equine Nutrition
- 1. Allison K, Day C. A Guide to Equine Nutrition. UK: JA Allen Ltd, 1995. 2. Cuddeford D. Equine Nutrition. UK: The Crowood Press, 1997. - Available from amazon.com- 3. Frape D. Equine Nutrition and Feeding. UK: Blackwell Sciences, 1998. - Available from amazon.com- 4. Kohnke J, Kelleher F and Trevor-Jones P. Feeding Horses in Australia. A Guide for Horse Owners and Man…