They don't go for meat products at all; they have large, flat teeth that are designed for chewing plants, so even if they were interested in a porterhouse steak, they wouldn't know how to eat it. Mini donkeys prefer to browse for their bulk and fiber throughout the day. If you take a good care of your donkey, it might live to be over 30 years old. Aug 11, 2019 - In this article, we discuss the nutritional needs of donkeys, and by extension, mules. They don't deserve their reputation for stubbornness: in fact, they're smart and contemplative. Mini donkeys love treats (as do we all). Select healthy vegetables and fruits as treats – these taste good to your horse and are usually close to foods they eat in their normal diet, so chances of digestive upset are reduced. 95 Things Goats Can Eat i hear they eat what horses do and Im thinking a nice carrot might put me on good terms with the donkey? “They eat 99 percent grass,” Vukadinović says. They also like molasses but that should be kept as an occasional treat because of the high sugar content. If you think you fall into that category limit the amount of horse and mule feed you give as treat and be sure it is a lower protein mix---10 % to 12%. Be sure that you aren’t overfeeding your miniature donkeys – perform and record the donkey’s stats and body condition frequently. For this reason, it is imperative that they do not come into contact with these poisons. What do donkeys eat? Donkeys, with their sweet faces and gentle, intelligent nature, make wonderful pets. Ray loves cattle and … They do not need to be fed as much as overfeeding a donkey could cause laminitus. Amy Y. Donkeys were domesticated around the same time as horses (3,000 BC). Donkeys prefer to eat little and often. Some domestic donkeys may also eat horse treats, peppermints, and sugar. Don’t fall for those cute faces and long ears, donkeys and mules don’t “need” many treats and typically don’t require a high fat feed. Older donkeys often enjoy eating the leaves as they contain naturally occurring aspirin. Other trees that are non-poisonous to donkeys are beech, hazel and ash. They also eat grain and sweet feed-one scoop per donkey is considered a treat. But there are some guidelines we can use when selecting the type of treat, as well as the feeding frequency and amount. All treats like shoots, roots, and leaves are safe for them. If you cannot find that low of protein do not to feed over 14%. Donkeys eat dry matter and fibrous foods such as straw, hay, bark and shrubs. A domestic donkey's basic diet: A domestic donkey's diet needs to be rich in fiber and low in sugar, taking special precautions not to overfeed them because they can easily become obese, which consequently undermines their health.. Donkeys need to eat small amounts of food at regular intervals. Provide aid-lib barley straw. SPANA treats thousands of mules each year through our centres and mobile clinics and works with their owners to provide better care and understanding of these misunderstood animals. Donkeys are very nimble. I don't know if there is anything that they can't eat specifically just because they are a donkey-- but I think the same plants, etc are poisonus to them. Milk and Cheese. Donkeys prefer to browse for their bulk and fibre throughout the day. Donkeys love stripping the bark from willow logs. They like to munch on grasses, grains, oats and barley straw. These come from a variety of backgrounds, with some sent to the unit for treatment, others waiting to be rehomed, and still others that were confiscated because of … Luddy’s six donkeys can survive on one bale per week in the winter. Treats for these animals include raw veggies, bread, and stale cake. Donkeys do not need high levels of sugar in their diets. Mini donkeys will do … They need lots of interaction, and they like to have a friend around like another donkey, horse, goat or cow. According to different poles, horse owners, and research, bamboo plants are safe for horses. Although they eat grass, they should not overfeed on either it or clover. A happy donkey has a friend to play with that plays the way he does, and that he can eat with and sleep near. Over the thousand years of evolution, donkeys have adapted to dry environments where there is a scarcity of food or its nutritional quality is rampant. (( subscribe, ring the bell & comment)))) GET THE FRESHEST AND THE JUICIEST STORIES FROM ACROSS KENYA. Donkeys consume the same feeds as horses but generally in smaller quantities as feed amount is directly related to body mass and most donkeys (even mammoths) are smaller than most horses. These products may be appealing to donkeys as well, and they may attempt to lick or eat them if discovered. But, if you go this route, expect the herd to devour all of the treats quickly – often before the plant matures and produces the produce is yields that they would most enjoy. You welcome :). Facts About Donkeys. Relevance. When it comes to mealtime, these donkeys adore greens. A: ... from WEG competitors to Miniature donkeys and everything in between. However, they also eat straw, tree leaves, bark, some flowers and brambles. You can plant many of these healthy treats in the goat herd browsing area, or inside their pen as a free choice snack. Do you struggle to get pills into your horse? Older donkeys still need plenty of space to roam throughout the day, so if you do decide to give them their own space, make sure they can still stretch their legs if they feel the need! Yes, donkeys do get bored. Do you want a festive fall treat for your horse? ... Is it okay for horses to eat pumpkin and/or pumpkin-flavored treats? Can Miniature Horses Eat Bamboo? Miniature donkeys prefer to eat in small amounts, quite often. In the wild, a donkey feeds on a variety of vegetation, from bark and shrubs to berries and grass. Donkeys and … Donkeys have a sweet tooth and can put on weight easily if they eat the wrong foods, or too much lush grass or rich hay, which can lead to potential health problems. Donkeys need a companion and they love to be with their own kind but if she bonds with your horse that's good. Donkeys eat similar to horses. They’ll eat apples, carrots, oranges, beets, turnips, pears, and even whole bananas with the peels still on. Donkeys love eating bread, peppermints and ginger biscuits, but these rot their teeth! Place enough straw in the feeder so that they can browse through it. Well adjusted, content donkeys love their people just as much as a single donkey would. You can also carve little wells in the logs and fill them with treats or scented oils. Donkeys are prone to weight gain, colic and laminitis and if fed like a horse, those nasty problems will be encouraged. There are many new and innovative ways to address rodent … Can donkeys eat cheese? Interestingly, donkeys will never drink stale water and must be within a two to three day reach of a water source. Tips for Getting Horses to Eat Medications. Domestic donkeys eat hay, grass, grain, vegetables, apples and other plant life. Hay nets are not recommended as it is better for donkeys to eat from the floor and empty hay nets can be a hazard. If you’re not sure what a mule is, read on to learn more about these hardworking creatures and the contributions that they make to people’s lives all over the world… Do not over feed your donkey; check the body condition of your donkey regularly. Horses are programmed to eat small amounts of food on a continuous basis, so your horse will ALWAYS want another treat, but for his well-being, learn to say no. 4 Answers. They'll eat all kinds of fruits and veggies, including apples, oranges, pears, carrots, beets and turnips. If you plan on feeding a donkey for a while, however, watch out. Donkeys belong to the family Equidae. What do donkeys eat in the wild? Even though they are related to horses, donkeys have different nutritional needs compared to their cousins. ( If your Jenny (Mom) is nursing and needs to make more milk, you can feed her a higher protein treat. The liquids these animals consume include milk from the female, jennet, and water . The Highveld Horse Care Unit (HHCU), situated in Meyerton, Gauteng, covers 16ha and is home to about 40 horses and donkeys. Some treats, pill pockets, and ... from WEG competitors to Miniature donkeys … Donkeys kept indoors require a floor-level feed bin or corner-floor feeder placed so that feed cannot get soiled. Im doin a donkey basketball tournament and was just wondering what do donkeys eat as a treat (trying to get the donkey to like me :) ). SUBSCRIBE&TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS. And when grass is unavailable, a good quality hay is preferred as it provides the most nutrition. The reason mules, donkeys, overweight horses, and ponies get grass founder when eating rich, green grass is because it’s high in simple sugars and starches that are easily broken down by the bacteria in the equine large intestine. Read on to learn more on what do donkeys eat. The donkeys' loud brays and quick pursuit will scare away predators and may also alert the shepherd. Yes like horses, miniature horses can also eat bamboo. Mini-donkeys also love treats. Conclusion. Donkeys that are are raised by humans are fed hay (dried grass) when the grass is not growing. In most instances donkeys will confront and chase dogs or coyotes out of the pasture. Domesticated donkeys are usually fed hay, but they enjoy special treats like apples, pears, beets, bananas, bread, and molasses. Your donkey needs a friend. Donkeys are herbivores. 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