Changes

Donkeys and mules have evolved to survive on highly fibrous forages that they would naturally graze and browse on whilst walking many miles per day over challenging terrain.  Donkeys have a natural appetite of between 1.3 – 1.8% of their bodyweight (in dry weight); in order to avoid behavioural issues related to boredom it is important to satisfy this requirement by providing fibre throughout the donkey’s day.  Satisfaction of this appetite without leading to weight gain is often challenging for sedentary donkeys and mules who do not work or who work only lightly.  Donkeys are able to extract more energy from food sources than are horses and feeding donkeys freely on unrestricted temperate grasses and hays will undoubtedly lead to obesity.  The most appropriate source of energy and dietary fibre for fit donkeys with good dentition are cereal straws (cereal stalks remaining after the grain has been harvested).  Straw (barley, oat or wheat) is a forage which is high in fibre and low in energy and allows the donkey to satisfy his natural appetite whilst not oversupplying energy.   

Donkeys and mules have evolved to survive on highly fibrous forages that they would naturally graze and browse on whilst walking many miles per day over challenging terrain.  Donkeys have a natural appetite of between 1.3 – 1.8% of their bodyweight (in dry weight); in order to avoid behavioural issues related to boredom it is important to satisfy this requirement by providing fibre throughout the donkey’s day.  Satisfaction of this appetite without leading to weight gain is often challenging for sedentary donkeys and mules who do not work or who work only lightly.  Donkeys are able to extract more energy from food sources than are horses and feeding donkeys freely on unrestricted temperate grasses and hays will undoubtedly lead to obesity.  The most appropriate source of energy and dietary fibre for fit donkeys with good dentition are cereal straws (cereal stalks remaining after the grain has been harvested).  Straw (barley, oat or wheat) is a forage which is high in fibre and low in energy and allows the donkey to satisfy his natural appetite whilst not oversupplying energy.   

For most donkeys and mules living in temperate climates like the UK straw should form the majority of the diet.  Straw can be fed from the floor or hay nets and should be freely available at all times for animals with good dentition.  Straw provides fibre and limited nutrients to the diet but does need supplementation to ensure protein and vitamin and mineral levels within the diet are optimal.

For most donkeys and mules living in temperate climates like the UK straw should form the majority of the diet.  Straw can be fed from the floor or hay nets and should be freely available at all times for animals with good dentition.  Straw provides fibre and limited nutrients to the diet but does need supplementation to ensure protein and vitamin and mineral levels within the diet are optimal.

 

====Hay/Haylage====

====Hay/Haylage====