Donkeys eat meadow grasses and “weeds”, but they also will eat tree leaves and even tree bark. They also love things like carrots and apples and, as you have learned, your ornamental lawn plants.
Can donkeys eat just 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.
Is fescue hay good for donkeys?
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. Our pastures are seeded with brome and orchard grass and they seem to do best on that mix.
How much grass do donkeys need?
Donkeys ideally should have a diet consisting of 75% straw and 25% grass, hay or haylage in summer months. This changes to 50% straw and 25% hay or haylage in winter. Certain populations may need haylage or chop as the main part of their diet.
Is Mint good for donkeys?
Donkeys love polo mints and ginger biscuits, these products are great to tempt fussy feeders but care should be taken not to feed too many as they are very high in sugar and may lead to obesity and associated health problems. Older donkeys with poor teeth will also struggle to eat them.
What should you not feed 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.
What kind of grass can donkeys eat?
Good grass hay is adequate for donkeys. Legume hay such as alfalfa is not recommended for the same reason that lush pasture is not good for donkeys. The digestibility is very high as is the energy and nutrient content.
Do 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.
Is beet pulp good for donkeys?
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.
What is the best hay to feed 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.
Do donkeys Need grain?
Grain Tolerance
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.
How much hay does a donkey need per day?
A general rule of thumb is that a donkey should be provided daily with straw or hay equal to 5% of its bodyweight, even though it may only eat about half of this (Jones 1997).
What grain do you 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).
Why do donkeys roll in dirt?
In late spring donkeys roll to help with shedding of their winter coat. In summer donkeys roll in dust and mud to keep the flies at bay. Donkeys will also roll if there is any itchy spot on their coats as the mud can be soothing. Often donkeys will prepare a spot to roll by pawing with their hoof to loosen the dirt.
What is a donkey’s favorite treat?
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 celery good for donkeys?
Donkey’s can eat celery raw with no problems. But you can also give it to them cooked; whether steamed or boiled and they’ll probably enjoy it just as much too. The best way to feed a donkey celery is either directly by hand or place cuttings into their feeding tray.
Do donkeys eat dead leaves?
ANSWER: Donkeys eat meadow grasses and “weeds”, but they also will eat tree leaves and even tree bark. They also love things like carrots and apples and, as you have learned, your ornamental lawn plants.
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.
Can donkeys stay out in the rain?
The first study of its kind
The research showed that while horses can cope well with gloomy weather, most donkeys will seek out shelter under a light breeze, if it starts to rain, or when temperatures drop below 14 degrees.
How many pellets should you feed a donkey?
Perhaps the KER supplement the vet was referring to was All-Phase, a pelleted ration balancer that will supply protein, vitamins, and minerals to the diet. All-Phase has a feeding rate for your miniature donkeys of 2.5 oz (75 g or a little more than 1/8 lb) per donkey per day.
Is wheat straw good for donkeys?
What kind of straw is best? 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.
