Changes

Donkeys may require dietary supplementation with hay or haylage during the winter or when pregnant, lactating or growing in order to supply extra energy.  Hay or haylage for donkeys must be selected carefully as forage made for horses or other livestock is often too rich and may lead to dietary upset or laminitis.  Hay or haylage should be late cut, high in fibre, low in sugar and will be visibly coarse.  High fibre haylage may be appropriate for donkeys when late cut hay is not readily available as sugar levels are reduced through partial fermentation.  Donkeys are able to thrive on hay or haylage with low energy and high fibre levels but physical quality should not be compromised on.  Dusty or mouldy forages should be strictly avoided as they may put the donkey at risk of respiratory disease or colic. Pregnant or lactating donkeys should be provided with ad-lib hay or haylage during the last trimester of pregnancy and the first 3 months of lactation.  Donkeys during the winter should not require more than 25-50% of their forage by weight to be comprised of hay / haylage, meaning that 50-75% of their fibre should still come from straw.

Donkeys may require dietary supplementation with hay or haylage during the winter or when pregnant, lactating or growing in order to supply extra energy.  Hay or haylage for donkeys must be selected carefully as forage made for horses or other livestock is often too rich and may lead to dietary upset or laminitis.  Hay or haylage should be late cut, high in fibre, low in sugar and will be visibly coarse.  High fibre haylage may be appropriate for donkeys when late cut hay is not readily available as sugar levels are reduced through partial fermentation.  Donkeys are able to thrive on hay or haylage with low energy and high fibre levels but physical quality should not be compromised on.  Dusty or mouldy forages should be strictly avoided as they may put the donkey at risk of respiratory disease or colic. Pregnant or lactating donkeys should be provided with ad-lib hay or haylage during the last trimester of pregnancy and the first 3 months of lactation.  Donkeys during the winter should not require more than 25-50% of their forage by weight to be comprised of hay / haylage, meaning that 50-75% of their fibre should still come from straw.

[[File:Donkey DM allowances.png|center|thumb|800px|<small><center>Daily food allowances for mature donkeys at maintenance between 100kg and 300kg body weight (BWt) in addition to ''ad libitum'' access to good quality straw and a mineral lick. Dry matter (DM) basis.(Courtesy of [http://drupal.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk The Donkey Sanctuary])</center></small>]]

[[File:Donkey DM allowances.png|center|thumb|800px|<small><center>Daily food allowances for mature donkeys at maintenance between 100kg and 300kg body weight (BWt) in addition to ''ad libitum'' access to good quality straw and a mineral lick. Dry matter (DM) basis.(Wood ''et al'' (2005).Courtesy of [http://www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk The Donkey Sanctuary]</center></small>]]

====Grazing for Donkeys====

====Grazing for Donkeys====

Donkeys are a unique species that cannot be managed like other equines.  They require specific diets, healthcare and daily care.  Further guidance and resources on donkey care and welfare can be provided by The Donkey Sanctuary; the world’s largest donkey and mule charity working to improve welfare worldwide.

Donkeys are a unique species that cannot be managed like other equines.  They require specific diets, healthcare and daily care.  Further guidance and resources on donkey care and welfare can be provided by The Donkey Sanctuary; the world’s largest donkey and mule charity working to improve welfare worldwide.

[[Category:Donkey]]

[[Category:Donkey]]