This results in a lower need for protein in their diet. However, proteins are still important as they provide both essential and nonessential amino acids that donkeys need. How much of these amino acids an individual donkey needs depends largely on their age and whether they are pregnant or lactating. Hays and grasses contain protein, so careful attention must be paid to the protein and sugar content of hays and grasses.
Legume hays, such as clover and alfalfa, are significantly higher in protein and could cause health issues in resident donkeys if they consume too much. Otherwise, a small handful as a treat now and then may be okay. Straw is low in protein and can be a good source of forage for donkeys as they are able to digest it and pull more nutrients from it than is generally possible.
With hay and straw , the quality and growth stage at harvest determines how digestible the hay is, in addition to its sugar and protein content. Remember, high levels of sugar are likely to cause a number of potential health issues in donkeys! Forage from pasture is also a potential source of protein. However, the nutrient makeup will depend on a number of factors including season and soil quality.
All in all, a mixed or total straw-based diet is better suited for many donkeys as their energy and protein requirements are lower than horses. Donkeys with certain health conditions may also require more or less fat in their diet. In general, percent fat in food is a good amount of fat for healthy adult horse residents. Donkeys require less than that. Too much more can lead to unnecessary weight gain and potentially cause health issues.
Talk with your veterinarian or an equine nutritionist about what is best for your donkey residents. While donkeys produce some of the vitamins they need during the digestive process, most others are accessible in forage.
However, as the nutritional content of grass, hay, and straw can vary, a donkey resident would generally do well with a forage balancer to ensure they get what they need for a healthy body. As long as residents have access to the outdoors where they can soak up the sun, their Vitamin D needs are usually met.
Forage also contains some amounts of Vitamin D. Donkeys get Vitamin A from eating fresh grass and some hay. Donkeys synthesize B and K 2 vitamins. As for Vitamin C , donkeys can produce this in their liver from glucose. Vitamin E is also found in grass and fresher hay, though there are also Vitamin E supplements available. A lot of concentrated grain products provide these necessary vitamins as well, but can be a potential health hazard for aforementioned reasons.
As mentioned above, there are also forage balancer supplements available, which have these vitamins and minerals but with a lower calorie content. These are most often recommended by veterinarians to ensure a healthy donkey. Other populations growing or pregnant residents may need more Phosphorus and Calcium to maintain good health. Like vitamins, many minerals can be found in grass and hay, though the content can vary, resulting in residents with mineral deficiencies.
Based on those findings, you can discuss with your veterinarian or equine nutritionist whether you should consider using an aforementioned forage balancer to meet the needs of your residents.
Absolutely DO NOT give donkey residents mineral blocks intended for other species as they may contain toxic levels of certain minerals. If not using mineral blocks, salt licks can be provided for them to seek out as they see fit.
The amount and ratio of minerals consumed is also important. A ratio is recommended for healthy adult donkeys. Special populations may require more or less of certain minerals.
This should be discussed with your veterinarian. Water is an important part of keeping resident donkeys healthy. However, unlike horses, healthy donkeys can go longer without water than their equine cousins before ill effects may be seen. However, donkey residents should have continuous access to clean water sources.
It is advisable to have water heaters during freezing temperatures, as it allows continuous access to water and also encourages them to drink more.
Donkeys may refuse to drink if the water is very cold. This can cause a number of health issues, in spite of their evolutionary adaptation to manage periods of dehydration better than horses.
Donkeys are trickle feeders and should ideally have access to forage throughout the day. Straw can generally be provided throughout the day. For these reasons, donkey residents should always have access to ample forage.
It is generally recommended that a donkey consume around 1. This is why it is inappropriate to feed alfalfa, which has very high protein levels, to donkeys.
By feeding donkeys lower-calorie hay, you can keep more hay in front of them, which helps reduce boredom and promote gastrointestinal health. It is, however, challenging to find a grass hay with a calorie content in the recommended range they are typically over 0. Straw is often between 0. However, these are the forages that are ideal for donkeys.
Therefore, a very stemmy, mature timothy hay assuming the sugar content is not too high might be a good option. Nonstructural carbohydrates e. Donkeys can develop insulin dysregulation , and often the higher the sugar, the higher the calorie content.
Once donkeys get fat, it can be very difficult to remove weight, and they are not only at risk of laminitis but also hyperlipidemia—both of which can lead to death. With careful forage selection, you can maintain your donkey at a healthy weight while maximizing forage intake, maintaining gastrointestinal health, and staving off boredom.
As a nutritionist she works with all equids, from WEG competitors to Miniature donkeys and everything in between. Growing up, she competed in a wide array of disciplines and was an active member of the U.
Pony Club. Today, she serves as the district commissioner for the Salt River Pony Club. You must be logged in to post a comment. Favorite Share:. About The Author. Important note: Some donkeys, even young donkeys may have difficulty eating straw, hay and grass due to poor dentition. 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.
Mouth and teeth checks should be done by an equine vet or dental technician at least twice yearly. Signs of dental disease include drooling, dropping feed, slow or reluctant to feed and bad breath leading to weight loss.
Please consult your vet should you have any questions or concerns. Please see the following site for more detailed information about diet including poisonous and toxic plants to avoid: www.
Any change in the feeding regime must always be carried out gradually over a couple of weeks. Avoid dusty or mouldy feeds. Ensure that chopped fruit and vegetables are cut in a way that minimises the risk of choking, such as in sticks.
Donkeys on a forage only diet may not obtain all of the required vitamins and minerals from the straw, grass and hay in their diets. Therefore, we recommend that in addition to the standard food you supply that all donkeys will benefit from the addition of a vitamin and mineral supplement in the form of a balancer or unmolassed equine mineralised block, designed to supplement their diet all year round to prevent any deficiencies.
Blocks designed for other livestock may be toxic to donkeys as some contain inappropriate mineral levels. We have successfully used TopSpec Donkey Forage Balancer for donkeys on weight loss or maintenance diets and TopSpec Comprehensive Balancer for those with extra nutritional needs such as growing, breeding, underweight, ill or elderly donkeys.
Water is perhaps the most essential of all nutrients since without it life cannot continue for longer than a few days, or less in adverse conditions. Clean, fresh water should be freely available at all times. Remember to check water supplies in cold weather to ensure they have not frozen.
If it is possible provide access to several sources of water to increase the choices available to your donkey, enriching their environment and encouraging them to drink sufficient amounts. For more information about nutrition and pasture management, please call the welfare advice line on What to feed your donkeys Essential nutrition advice.
Straw 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 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. Different types of hay available include: 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. Hay produced from cow pasture usually has higher energy levels and may be less suitable if fed on its own. However it could be fed mixed with a higher ratio of straw. Silage Silage is not suitable for feeding to donkeys because the moisture level is usually too high, with a low pH, as well as a low fibre and high protein level.
High fibre pellets There are many brands on the market selling high fibre pellets. Dried sugar beet pulp Sugar beet, a by-product of the sugar industry, is a useful food given in small amounts to tempt a sick donkey to eat or to help an elderly donkey or underweight donkey gain condition. Succulents Fruit and vegetables can be fed in small amounts one or two a day to provide variety and encourage a healthy appetite.
0コメント