Meadow Hay
is a natural mix of grasses made from grass grown on old pasture and is suitable for feeding to donkeys. Seed Hay is also good for donkeys. It is a planted crop of specific grasses, such as rye or timothy, which the farmer makes from the stems remaining after the grain has been taken.
Should donkeys eat hay or straw?
Straw should make up the majority of most donkeys’ diets
, with grazing and hay or haylage being considered a top-up only. Feeding a donkey on grass and hay without providing any straw will end up over-supplying them with calories and energy, causing them to store the excess calories as fat.
What kind of hay is good for donkeys?
Barley straw
is the Donkey Sanctuary’s main recommendation, followed by wheat and then oat straw. Barley straw is favored because of its low nutritional value and because it’s easier to eat than wheat straw, which is more fibrous.
What should you not feed donkeys?
Avoid sugary biscuits,
bread and cake
and never feed meat or dairy products – animal protein can be fatal to donkeys. Onions, leeks, garlic, cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower), anything from the nightshade family (potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, aubergine), stoned fruit and chocolate are also to be avoided.
Is alfalfa bad for donkeys?
Straw is also far lower in protein than a typical grass hay and, certainly,
donkeys should not be fed alfalfa due to its significantly higher protein content
.
Should donkeys have free choice hay?
Healthy donkeys who are not overweight might eat as much as 2% of their bodyweight per day, with
free-choice barley straw
and limited grazing or grass hay. An overweight donkey should still eat 1.5% of their bodyweight in dry matter, it just needs to be low in calories.
How do I keep my donkey busy?
Take an old bucket and drill some holes in the bottom
. Place donkey treats inside it and hang it from the barn ceiling (or other high place where there is room for it to swing). Trying to get the treats out of the bucket will keep your donkeys amused for hours! Donkeys love stripping the bark from willow logs.
Can donkeys eat too much hay?
Most of their diet should consist of grass or a mature or low NSC grass hay, but careful attention should be placed on making sure the quality and quantity is not causing them to become too overweight. … Many donkeys will do best when fed
their hay in several small meals a day
or limit hay if they have access to grazing.
Can donkeys eat banana peels?
Yes
, donkeys can eat banana peels just as they ingest the flesh. … Banana peels should be thoroughly washed as no one want their pet to ingest the chemicals.
Do donkeys need a salt block?
Most donkeys will do well on a plain diet of timothy or grass hay, with access to clean water and
a salt block
.
What is poisonous to donkeys?
Pesticides, Herbicides, And Rodenticides
. It may not come as a surprise that herbicides and rodenticides can cause toxicosis in donkeys if ingested. If donkeys ingest plants that have been sprayed with phenoxy acid herbicides, they can become ill or even die.
Can donkeys eat peanut butter?
Can donkeys eat peanut butter? …
Dogs are the favorites for peanut butter and not donkeys
. This is because Peanut butter is full of natural fats and protein, and too much of it can result in obesity and pancreatitis.
What can I feed a donkey?
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.
Can donkeys eat cucumbers?
Yes! Donkeys can eat cucumbers
and they often love them! Cucumbers are extremely healthy and can be fed to donkeys as treats.
How do donkeys show affection?
Donkeys show affection
by leaning into you for cuddling
. If you don’t cuddle them, they might rub their head against your hand or your body. If you see a donkey doing this, then that donkey definitely likes you and is showing it.
Do donkeys eat weeds?
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.
