Because food availability in their native settings is sparse donkeys in such environments dont only eat grass. link to Are Chickens Smart? Product Description. The equine cannot chew correctly and can choke or colic. In the winter, 50% straw and 50% hay or haylage will help compensate for the lack of pasture available for foraging. How Much Does It Cost To Butcher A Cow? Natural Disaster: Are You and Your Horse Ready for Emergency Evacuation? They are a worthwhile addition to the normal food ration in winter and early spring when fresh grass is not available. Thank you! Find a Standlee retailer near you. Provide aid-lib barley straw. Oat straw is the majority of the straw we use at Dengie, but in times of shortage we supplement with wheat straw to ensure we can maintain supply. Legume hays, like alfalfa and clover, contain as much as 33% protein, making them highly unsuitable for donkeys. We must test all forage before purchasing. Whatever type of hay you choose, it needs to be stored in a dry barn for at least three months before its suitable for feeding. Why were losing our horse doctors and how to begin solving the problem. However, donkeys can resorb this urea and reuse the nitrogen and they can up and down regulate this mechanism depending on the level of protein in the diet and how much nitrogen they need.Crude protein requirement for donkeys is thought to be somewhere in the range of 3.8-7.4% of the diet compared to 8-12% percent for mature horses. Do not suddenly introduce freshly cut hay to the donkeys diet as it could cause colic or laminitis. $12 a bale with pick up in Klamath. Even though donkeys eat a lot of different plant species, some are just as toxic to a donkey as they are to any other equid. Most donkeys do not require this supplementation with the high fiber cubes. #donkeyvideo #happydonkeys #donkeylife. In fact, donkeys given access to pasture most of the year will not need much hay, even in the winter. Finally feeding straw when water is not available or is unpalatable also presents an increased risk of a donkey developing colic. Made in the USA. . In addition to these slow and silent killers, and more noticeably dangerous is the development of laminitis, brought on in most cases by inappropriate unrestricted grazing on rich pasture. Freshly cut hay should be stored in a dry barn for at least three months before feeding. The high sugar and starch content can cause obesity and other weight-related issues. In the UK, the Donkey Sanctuary recommends feeding barley straw. Barley bales for ponds are most effective in shallow water with sunlight and good circulation. thanks for the info. A donkey will, therefore, enjoy an environment where there is a rich diversity of plant life. Straw has no nutrition. Your veterinarian will help you find laboratories where you can have your feeds tested to determine: So, you will have a better idea of what exactly youre feeding. And pastures should be grazed very carefully. Donkeys are stoic and will not show pain quickly like a horse. Donkeys do not need high levels of sugar in their diets. print Print. In the wild, donkeys will consume almost any plant, from thorny shrub to herbaceous succulents. If feeding hay to donkeys, ensure it is grass hay (no alfalfa) and as mature as possible. 9 Most Intelligent Chicken Breeds. Donkeys prefer to eat little and often. Long fibres such as straw, hay and haylage need a significant amount of chewing to break them down sufficiently enough to be swallowed. Just like in horses, forage needs to be the foundation of a donkeys diet. You can provide a high-fiber diet to your donkey by providing them with barley straw and hay. The feeding and watering of a donkey is completely different than that of a horse. Because a lot of the minerals in the blocks can be very toxic to equines and even cause death. Small hole haynets can be used with donkeys, but should be tied at a comfortable height to avoid lifting the head too high, but also not so low that the donkey is at risk of getting tangled up in it. Those are the situations where its best to consult with your veterinarian and determine the best way to go. If you are unsure about the suitability of locally available haylage as donkey food, we would recommend having it analysed (most of the large horse feed companies provide this service for a small fee) or feeding a commercially available equine haylage marketed as laminitic safe. However, the thought of feeding straw often does not sit well with owners, especially if they are more familiar with feeding horses hay and using straw as stall bedding. farm & garden - by owner Also, learn the minerals, supplements, etc., that may be needed to keep your donkey healthy. Donkeys can happily munch on barley straw throughout the day without gaining weight. It also has a high moisture level, is high in protein, and low in fiber, making it unsuitable for a donkeys nutritional needs. Ideally, all donkeys should be maintained on a diet low in starch and sugars. Most donkeys need to eat at floor level as this is healthier for their digestion, respiratory system and eyes. Make sure that fresh barley straw is available at all times wherever your donkey is during the day and at night. Watch the poop. However many improved pastures are too high in nutritional value and unrestricted access will likely lead to obesity.Limited turnout or utilizing strip grazing can work well when grass is abundant. Typically as the amount of NDF and ADF in a hay increases crude protein level decreases, making this an ideal scenario for donkeys.Left to their own devices, donkeys have an appetite to consume between 1.3-1.8% of their body weight per day in dry matter. If in any doubt about the energy value or the quality of any feed, it is advisable to seek expert advice. The hay should amount to 1.5 - 1.8% of your donkey's weight . Linseed straw is best avoided since the seed is poisonous to donkeys unless it has been boiled, and it is very difficult to ensure that no seed is present in the straw. Check them out on line Where did you purchase your miniature donkeys fromthey sound interesting. Summit 131 Clear-Water Barley Straw for Livestock Watering Troughs, Treats up to 1000-Gallons. You may need to supplement a donkeys diet more if: In such circumstances, look for either high-fiber pellets, like these, or if your donkey needs bulking up some beet pulp. Another key adaptation is the donkeys ability to internally recycle nitrogen, which is something horses and ponies cant do. Merry Christmas! While horses use their kidneys to excrete excess nitrogen in the form of urea, donkeys reabsorb it. Horses, even shetlands have different diets to donkeys. We proudly make each premium soft yacht rope halter with matching lead line by hand in the U.S.A. Spring Sale! Also used to assist in growing grass. Product Details. I'm going to deep litter until the Springjust removing the really wet and soiled partsthen I'll clean the lot out in the Spring. Ive been around horses since the age of six and, 15 years ago, leapt at the chance to leave behind my London-based career in journalism and start life on a small-holding in South Africa. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian with any questions you may have regarding your pets medical condition. 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. Its therefore important when limiting forage intake not to feed forage at an amount below the lower end of this intake range. Oat straw is more digestible and can cause weight gain. $ 15 00. Haylage is almost identical to grass, except that it is has a higher moisture content. What You Should Know About Donkey Eating Hay. These factors make it less palatable and harder to digest. An occasional piece of fruit can help boost your donkeys immune system and provide the roughage he needs to keep his digestive system working. The original and best selling barley straw pond treatment from Summit. Donkeys and all equine who have teeth or serious deep pocket gum issues cannot eat straw or hay. We got the advise re straw from the donkey sanctuary in Sidmouth. With todays advancements in pasture maintenance, even the quality of the pasture far exceeds the needs of most of the donkeys. What is the best feed for donkeys? High fibre pellets can be soaked down to a mash, which is particularly useful for donkeys with poor teeth. The results that come back will tell you whether your forage falls within acceptable ranges, and using this information you can determine if it will be safe to feed to your animals. Find Oat Barley Straw in For Sale. Vegetables are an excellent source of fiber, especially if you feed them with their peels still attached. You can boost your donkeys immune system and fiber intake by offering him healthy fruits and vegetables, but dont overdo it. Try to find forages with an NDF content in the low 70% range. Consider feeding your donkey chaff, a mixture of chopped up hay and/or straw. Donkeys prefer to browse for their bulk and fibre throughout the day. There are now some quick-soak unmolassed sugar beet products on the market which soak in under ten minutes although its always advisable to check the product is fully soaked before giving them to your donkeys. Straw is considered bedding by most people. We have been on all the donkey courses at the Donkey Sanctuary, before we embarked on this journey, and do take their advise. Summit 125 Clear-Water Barley Straw Bales, Treats up to 1000-Gallon, 2 Packs of 2-4 total. The key to successful donkey nutrition is to find high-fiber forages of low nutritional value. During the spring and summer the donkeys at The Donkey Sanctuary have access to restricted grazing. Look for a commercially available laminitis safe equine haylage with low starch and sugar content to avoid these complications. We change the water every other day on our farm unless the wind comes in and adds dirty than it is every day. Haylage is excellent forage insofar as it is dust-free, highly palatable, and nutritious.. Oat straw may be useful for old or underweight donkeys as this usually has a slightly higher nutritional value than barley straw. Special Report: Preventing 3 Common Equine Joint Issues, JACKSON- Gelding/Bay/Mustang (Nevada) - Project/Ready for Training, JENNINGS Gelding/Cremello/Mustang (BLM) Ridable (Green), Neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF), Geriatric Colic Surgery: Factors to Consider, Feeding the Growing Foal to Meet Nutrient Needs, A Pain in the Neck: Approaches to Cervical Spine Disorders In Horses, DIESEL: Bay Mustang Gelding Non-Riding Companion Only. Is it a different kind of hay pellet? All equines are sensitive to toxins that can be found in spoiled feeds. It gives your donkey all the fiber he needs without overloading him with protein and carbohydrates and increasing his risk of developing obesity, laminitis, or metabolic issues. Depending on the donkey, straw might make up 100% of the diet or be fed in combination with other forage sources such as pasture. If there are any signs of mould or yeast growth on a bale once opened it should be discarded, as should any uneaten haylage as this could be toxic to the donkeys. Barley Domestic Mediumhair Kitten Male My story Barley and his brother Berry are the fluffiest and cuddliest kittens you'll ever meet! Hopefully have found some but in the next Department. This is why it is inappropriate to feed alfalfa, which has very high protein levels, to donkeys. Wheat straw is used as a mulch/groundcover. However, a donkey ration balancer can help balance out any nutritional deficiencies in the grazing and forage provided. All information contained in this website is for educational purposes only. As donkeys have a very high fibre, low sugar dietary requirement, straw makes a good basic feeding product. Certain populations may need haylage or chop as the main part of their diet. It consists of amino acids, vitamins, minerals, yeasts, and prebiotics. All forage should test 10% or lower in sugar and protein for the desert equine the donkey. Donkeys on box rest may need their diet adjusting, please contact your vet for advice. Donkeys have such a strong desire to browse that they can become quite destructive when forage is limited. Wheat straw is more fibrous and difficult to chew, making it less suitable for very young donkeys or donkeys with poor dentition. Donkeys that have lost a significant number of teeth either over time or through poor dental care may have trouble selecting and chewing mouthfuls of food, in particular longer fibres. Put yesterdays feeding straw into todays bed. That equates to about 2 to 3 kg of fiber per day. Grazing at times when sugar content is lower is also recommended. If you have a disability and are having trouble accessing information on this website or need materials in an alternate format, contact ulster@cornell.edu for assistance. 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