Is Horse Feed Good For Donkeys?

Donkeys require specialist feeding, they are not a small horse and should not be fed as such. They require fewer calories to maintain weight than a pony of the same size, and enjoy trickle feeding on highly fibrous feeds.

Can you feed horse feed to donkeys?

Chaff products marketed for equines prone to laminitis are good for donkeys that have difficulty eating straw, hay or grass due to poor dentition, and can be used as feed supplements or fed ad lib as a total straw/hay replacer.

What is the best feed to feed donkeys?

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).

Do donkeys and horses have the same diet?

Both horse and donkey diets should primarily come from forage (typically in the form of hay or pasture). Horses should be fed 1.5-2% of their body weight each day in forage. Donkeys require about the same, 1.5% of their body weight. Specific forages will depend on what is available in your region.

Can you feed donkeys sweet feed?

You should never feed Longears (donkeys, or mules) any pre-mixed sweet feeds, or products high in alfalfa. Equines in general and especially pregnant equines, should never be turned out in a pasture with Fescue grass.

What should you not feed donkeys?

It is best not to feed straw or hay to a donkey with dental problems. This is because these feeds require significant chewing, which may be difficult for a donkey with teeth problems. Instead feed them chaff, chop or grass pellets. These require less chewing and make choking less likely.

Should donkeys be fed grain?

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 food do donkeys love?

Basic treats like carrots, apples, peppermints, bananas, watermelon, oranges, pears, grapes, celery, strawberries, and pumpkin are all safe for donkeys. But remember—everything in moderation, including treats! Donkeys like sweet flavors, like raspberry.

Is alfalfa OK for donkeys?

The lower the calorie content the more you can feed. Straw is also far lower in protein than a typical grass hay and, certainly, donkeys should not be fed alfalfa due to its significantly higher protein content .

What do you feed a starving donkey?

Good quality hay or high fibre haylage (e.g. Horsehage High Fibre) should be all that is fed initially, fed in small quantities (up to ¼ Kg) every 4-6 hours. If teeth are poor a low energy and low non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) hay replacement product (e.g. Happy Hoof) can be fed instead.

Why do farmers put donkeys with horses?

1. Keepers of the field: Infamously known for their guarding abilities, donkeys frequently take on the role of protector. Many barn owners place a donkey in their pasture to ward off coyotes, dogs, and other predators. They usually get along with horses, goats, sheep, and smaller barn critters.

Is beet pulp good for donkeys?

*Standards or minis also get soaked beet pulp (no molasses!) if they are looking a little thin or they are working. About 1/2 cup per 100 pounds. Rescue donkeys that are underweight will need additional foods, and so do pregnant jennets.

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.

How much should a donkey eat a day?

2-3kg
Research has shown that on average a donkey will eat approximately 1.3 – 1.8% dry matter of its bodyweight per day. For a 180kg, or around 10hh donkey, this equates to 2-3kg dry matter per day.

How do you keep a donkey healthy?

Just like any other pet, donkeys need regular veterinary care. Regular exams, vaccinations, and worming are all important. You’ll also need to keep up with your donkey’s hoof and dental care needs. Ask your vet for recommendations.

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.

Should donkeys have a salt block?

Providing donkeys access to a trace mineral salt block is recommended. Fibrous forage is the basis for a donkey’s healthy diet. Lower quality forage, that may be too mature for a horse, is often just fine for a donkey.

Will chicken feed hurt donkeys?

What happens if my donkey eats chicken feed? Intestinal upset, diarrhea, colic and laminitis, lung, liver and heart health issues. Feed intended for chickens may be filled with additives that are very toxic for donkeys, mules and horses.

What do farm donkeys eat?

They are natural browsers and enjoy grass, bushes, berries, and fallen fruit that they may find in their natural habitat. It is most important to not allow donkeys to overfeed and become overweight. Native grass and barley straw are about all they need to eat to keep healthy.

How many pellets should you feed a donkey?

The amount to feed can vary depending on the donkey’s activity. When donkeys were given free access to forage, research showed that they will only consume about 1.5% of their body weight per day. For a medium-sized, 450-pound donkey, this would equate to about 7 pounds of forage per day.

What are donkeys afraid of?

Donkeys also have a natural dislike of foxes, coyotes, wild dogs, and other members of the canid family. They can be taught to tolerate them, but their instincts will never really go away.