Changes

====Supplementary Feeding for Donkeys====

====Supplementary Feeding for Donkeys====

The vast majority of mature, healthy donkeys do not require additional feeds.  When extra condition is required it is important to ensure that weight gain is gradual and feeding is based upon a fibre rich diet.  Donkeys may require extra condition due to increased nutritional requirements such as during pregnancy or lactation, when working hard, when sick or when they have been inappropriately fed in the past.  Elderly donkeys may also require extra condition as they can find chewing long fibre forages such as straw and hay difficult as their teeth deteriorate with age.  In most cases the safest way to encourage weight gain in donkeys is to feed supplementary feeds based upon laminitic friendly, high fibre cubes (e.g. TopSpec Fibre Plus Cubes) and unmolassed or thoroughly soaked and rinsed sugar beet; the addition of TopSpec Donkey Forage Balancer will ensure that the donkey is receiving adequate micronutrients.  In cases where donkeys are sick or extremely underweight other balancer products may be more appropriate, please telephone our helpline for advice.

The vast majority of mature, healthy donkeys do not require additional feeds.  When extra condition is required it is important to ensure that weight gain is gradual and feeding is based upon a fibre rich diet.  Donkeys may require extra condition due to increased nutritional requirements such as during pregnancy or lactation, when working hard, when sick or when they have been inappropriately fed in the past.  Elderly donkeys may also require extra condition as they can find chewing long fibre forages such as straw and hay difficult as their teeth deteriorate with age.  In most cases the safest way to encourage weight gain in donkeys is to feed supplementary feeds based upon laminitic friendly, high fibre cubes (e.g. TopSpec Fibre Plus Cubes) and unmolassed or thoroughly soaked and rinsed sugar beet; the addition of TopSpec Donkey Forage Balancer will ensure that the donkey is receiving adequate micronutrients.  In cases where donkeys are sick or extremely underweight other balancer products may be more appropriate, please seek advice from The Donkey Sanctuary nutrition team.

Elderly donkeys with dental problems may struggle to eat long fibres; to maintain a healthy digestive tract and natural behavior it is important to provide an alternative fibre source.  Trickle feeding of donkey friendly, short chopped, chaff products throughout the day encourages the donkey to maintain natural feeding behavior and should assist with maintaining a healthy body condition.  Chaff products should be soft, laminitic friendly with low sugar levels and should be safe for feeding as a sole diet, the addition of an appropriate balancer will ensure the donkey is receiving adequate nutrients.  The base diet of short chop can also have additional fibre rich products added if further condition is required. When chaff can no longer be adequately chewed a complete feed of soaked fibre cubes and an appropriate balancer may maintain quality of life for an extended period.

Elderly donkeys with dental problems may struggle to eat long fibres; to maintain a healthy digestive tract and natural behavior it is important to provide an alternative fibre source.  Trickle feeding of donkey friendly, short chopped, chaff products throughout the day encourages the donkey to maintain natural feeding behavior and should assist with maintaining a healthy body condition.  Chaff products should be soft, laminitic friendly with low sugar levels and should be safe for feeding as a sole diet, the addition of an appropriate balancer will ensure the donkey is receiving adequate nutrients.  The base diet of short chop can also have additional fibre rich products added if further condition is required. When chaff can no longer be adequately chewed a complete feed of soaked fibre cubes and an appropriate balancer may maintain quality of life for an extended period.