For example, the high iron levels in goat feed could cause hemochromatosis or hepatopathy. Therefore, you may want to keep separate living and feeding areas, even if the animals live in the same pasture. You would be ill advised to give your donkey vegetables in the onion, potato or broccoli families. Highlighted in yellow is my base feeding plan for ALL donkeys. They do not have the internal mechanisms to digest it very well. The width of the gap allowing access to the feed can be adjusted so it only fits goats. Creep feeders are large devices found on many farms that allow you to feed certain animals while not letting other animals eat. Also, dont feed thedonkeywith moldy meals. Candy: These are also just about pure sugar. The question is, however, why is protein bad for donkeys? All B and K vitamins are produced by bacteria found in the rumen of goats and are not considered nutritionally necessary. Feed yourdonkeys2 to 3 times a day. Although some older donkeys can be fed a small amount of horse feed with high fiber content, healthy donkeys do not need the addition of a pelleted feed. Read this article where I research a donkeys stop speed. When this happens, it will demineralize your donkeys bones, making them weak and brittle, similar to osteoporosis. As such selenium is often provided for in the feed with the use of trace mineralized salt blocks. This article will discuss what goat feed is made of, the health benefits of goat feed to donkeys, how often you should feed them goat feed and other questions you might have. Donkeys respect the same fencing as sheep,. Donkeys love branches. Many donkey owners who happen to also have goats on their farm have reported that their donkeys regularly love to go after their goat feed. Introduction and Characteristics of goats and sheep . What Can Happen if I Feed My Donkey the Wrong Thing? The first is to feed your donkeys in a different place away from your other animals. . You can find straw for bedding, but it might not be clean enough for feed. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Donkeysare known asherbivores, and their appetite and large teeth go well with a plant-based diet. What Is Goat Feed Missing That My Donkeys Need? These need to be limited to one a day, in winter, for working animals. A diet too high in protein will also cause a donkeys body to become over acidic. This problem, in turn, can cause a donkeys heart to beat incorrectly (arrhythmia). Donkeys need around a half to a third of the daily protein requirements of a horse. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); The information contained on American Tarantula & Animals is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Adonkeyweighs between 220lbs to 1000lbs and will eat between 1..5% to 1.8% of its body weight. Both donkeys and goats feed on pasture grasses and gain most of their nutrition from there. Use pellets made for horses with laminitis so that youre not giving your donkey too much protein or starch. It needs a more balanced diet. In addition to what has been listed above, some things are harmful or even poisonous to donkeys: There are many treats that people and other pets can consume but are harmful to donkeys. Given that donkeys require such low levels of nutrition, they have fairly delicate, and finely tuned metabolisms. Goats can get along and can be annoying. Salt (1/4 teaspoon) Water (1 cup) Light Karo syrup (1/3 cup) Dry molasses or sugar (1 cup) Steps. Kloee is a backyard farmer and avid gardener who enjoys tending to her garden and plants. However, if they eat goat feed a lot, they may start showing signs of health issues. Heres a video of one farmer mixing up feed for his goats. Do goats eat horse feed? Another method is to put up fences that separate your donkeys from your goats and other livestock. Babydonkeysneedsupplementsthat are high in fiber and can be quickly eaten. (+ The Cruel Factor). he U.S., Belgium, and Peru. Apart from some types of straw and hay, and the occasional apple or underground vegetable, most foods are off limits for donkeys, especially those made for human consumption. Image in header via https://pixabay.com/photos/donkey-nature-animal-rural-meadow-2728033/, How Fast Can a Donkey Run? The difference comes from how the feed is made. Feed donkeys lower-quality forages, such as barley straw or stemmy, mature grass hay, than you would feed a horse. Donkeys ideally should have a diet consisting of 75% straw and 25% grass, hay or haylage in summer months. Other animal feeds should also be kept away from your donkey for the same reason. Lastly, you can get a creep feeder. Avoid cereal-grain-basedpelletsand opt for fiber-basedpellets. You can buy a salt block, but make sure its not for cattle and get one without molasses in it. Also (and this is critical), medicated goat feed can be fatal to a donkey. Feeding; Donkeys do best on high fiber - low protein hay. . Do not change diets all of a sudden. If there are a number of people taking care of the donkeys, care needs to be taken that these treats are strictly controlled. Crittasaurus is as an active participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. Lastly, you can get a creep feeder. Donkeys can eat goat pellets but it would not probably not give them all the nutrition they need. Donkeys are desert animals that evolved to roam the wilds in search of food. No, a donkey cannot just eat grass. What do donkeys eat & drink - can I feed them? It is important to note thatdonkeysshould be allowed to eat at a stretch and not just once a day. Since they digest their food differently, a donkey may feel full after eating goat feed but still not have received the nutrients it requires to stay healthy. The goat with the coughhis cough seems like it's gone!! If your old donkey (generally, age 20 or more) is missing or has very worn teeth, he may need a modified or an alternative feed to receive the required nutrition. Sometimes this might be by accident (with donkeys being overly tough in play), while sometimes it could be deliberate. Goat feed is typically infused with several vitamins and minerals that donkeys dont need, including copper and iron. As with any donkey, provide plenty of clean water that is easily accessible. Which Shrubs and Trees Are Poisonous to a Donkey? On my way to the yard we pass 2 lovely donkeys who seem happy and healthy. You should feed your 7-month-old donkey no more than 2 cups of crimped oats mixed with an ounce of Mazola corn . The second cutting is better for the donkey diet. When a donkey becomes obese, they develop fat pads on their body: The hips, neck, and back. 14 Rabbit Myths And Misconceptions You Need To Stop Believing Now! In winter months, when it is cold and the grass is either sparse or covered with snow, you will need to feed your donkeys good quality hay. Also (and this is critical), medicated goat feed can be fatal to a donkey. Theyre one of my favorite of all farmyard animals! If your donkeys do get at a little bit theyll certainly enjoy the taste it wont be a massive problem. Succulents constitute a significant contribution to adonkeys healthy diet. Donkeys are low-maintenance animals. They do not contain excess calories and are essential to the growth of a donkey. Donkeysmust chew their food properly to aid digestion; hence they suffer intestinal impaction or esophagus obstruction when they dont chew their food correctly. Due to their mobile lips and narrow muzzle,donkeysalways search for high-quality food. Even though horses and donkeys are equines, horses have specific nutritional needs that donkeys dont, and vice versa. Donkeys will take every opportunity they can get to eat whatever they can. If you have goats and feed your goats and donkeys in the same general area, theres a high probability that your donkey will eat your goats feed. The best way to stop your donkeys eating goat feed is to invest in a creep feeder. Hence,donkeyowners or guardians are always concerned about what to or what not to feed them. Below are several health problems that too much protein can cause. The difference comes from how the feed is made. Consider age, work requirement, environment and body weight of the animal Monitor body condition continuously using the Donkey Sanctuary Scale Carefully watch levels of carbohydrates and protein High fiber diets are preferred When this happens, it will demineralize your donkeys bones, making them weak and brittle, similar to osteoporosis. In severe cases, high-protein feeds can cause colic, founder, and even death. An excess of proteins could become toxic and will be bad for a donkey. You can purchase a forage balancer, which contains vitamins and minerals. It also helps to boost the immune system, so it can improve the ability of your animals' bodies to reject parasites as well as to prevent new infestation. Horses typically will not eat forages with an NDF over 65% or an ADF over 45% . All these are effectively provided for in the feed. Cook them until the mixture reaches 280 degrees Fahrenheit. The bacteria, viruses, and parasites will continue to increase until they cause severe health problems for your animal. This preserves the moisture content at between 40-60%, whereas hay has a moisture content of less that 12%. Foals start at half the size of adults and in Bedrock . Goats can not eat chicken feed. Also, you need to ensure that parts of these trees and shrubs arent mixed with their feed or bedding. meaning they'll eat anything they can forage, root, or kill. So, now those warnings are over, its worth considering what foods are good for a donkey. with out waiting for hours it is amazing .God as created every animal in wisdom. (Even those of us who, like myself, were English majors can easily calculate that the mule, which is a donkey-horse hybrid, has 63.) They were found to be easy to domesticate, and cheap to feed, and consequently became useful pack animals in the region. seeds, and insects; and they can eat a commercial poultry feed. The list of foods that donkeys should not eat, is long. Nightshades: White and red potatoes, onions, peppers, tomatoes, and eggplant. Donkeys don't need the extra iron, copper, protein, and other vitamins and minerals usually added to goat feed. The fact thatdonkeyscan adapt to any environment and are okay with whatever you feed them doesnt mean you shouldnt watch out for things they shouldnt eat. He has a bit of a low immune system as well. Sometimes I buy raw potatoes, peel off the skin and feed them to my goat. How Often Should You Take Your Bearded Dragon Out Of Its Cage? They have nothing else to browse on in their pen. Often theyre too rich or fortified for donkeys to digest well. Honeydews melons can give your goats extra carbohydrates for energy. In short, the best feed to give your donkey is feed made for donkeys, so their specific needs are always met, and they dont get too much of anything that can harm their health. Donkeys are vegetarian, and their diet needs to be high in fibre, and low in carbohydrates and proteins. They will also eat unsoiled hay and feed. Kiwifruit Kiwifruits are tasty treats for your goats. This includes dairy products. Donkey foals start off suckling their mothers milk and can keep on feeding on it as they grow till they reach about 6 months of age. Goats have a complex digestive system that requires different types and amounts of food to run smoothly. Donkeys will take every opportunity they can get to eat whatever they can. Why Do Horses Roll in the Dirt, Mud, & Ground? Animals require different amounts of feed depending on their type and age. I will give you some thoughts. The amount of time adonkeyspends on eating can be based on various factors such as the overall health of thedonkey, amount of fiber on the diet, level of intake, size, and form of the feed. The hay should amount to 1.5 1.8% of your donkeys weight per day. Here is an article I wrote on what do donkeys eat. Donkeys usually eat barley straw, hay, grass (pasture) . What Will Happen if a Donkey Eats Goat Feed? You need to remain firm for the sake of the donkeys long term wellbeing. Featured Image Credit: manavyemexport, Pixabay. However, not all hay is beneficial, and grasses cut for other purposes are potentially harmful. If your donkey is showing pain symptoms, not feeling well, or not eating, be sure to contact your veterinarian immediately. Creep feeders are large devices found on many farms that allow you to feed certain animals while not letting other animals eat. Some animal owners may use an all-stock feed for all of their farm animals since it is usually safe for goats, cows, and horses. Llamas also can suffer from the same parasites as the goats, so they will need treatment for them as well. Even worse, you might believe everything is fine until your donkey suddenly starts fracturing bones, having trouble walking, and having other health concerns. The following can be given as a treat. Goats do not have all the nutrition a donkey needs and as such it can lead to growth stunts if they keep up the behavior. Usually these are more natural and not fortified by additional vitamins and minerals in a lab or factory. Rather than allowing their donkeys to graze as much as they want, some people let their donkeys out in a pasture for a limited time per day, perhaps an hour or two. Heres more on how a creep feeder works. Much of the nutrition in the grass is . You can allow the donkeys to eat goat feed once in a while, however it is best to keep them away from it and provide them with their specially prepared donkey feed. Phone (405) 341-1683 | Fax (405) 359-1936. don porter sootch00 REFILLS. Its worth noting that not all goat feed is unsuitable for donkeys. Donkeys also spawn in meadows. The domestic horse has 64 chromosomes, while the donkey has 62. Whole cottonseed, corn, wheat middlings, soybean hulls, soybean meal, and corn gluten feed are examples of high-energy feed grains. Hello everyone and welcome to the blog. Grains are too high in carbohydrates, and legumes are too high in protein for the donkey diet. I despair when I see people putting their hands out to wild donkeys with food. Mini Donkeys will eat almost anything they are given, which included parts of my barn (until I learned how and why)! Yes, donkeys can eat bananas. Stone fruits are drupes. In addition to the restricted grazing our donkeys always have access to barley straw to ensure they are getting plenty of fibre to meet their nutritional needs. Generally, donkeys and other mammals can live in harmony together. Do Crocodiles and Alligators Get Along With Each Other or Fight? Donkeys are voracious eaters; they love to eat anything that comes their way. Grass cuttings from your lawn can give your donkey colic. The good news is that they are a great number of fruits and vegetables you can safely feed your donkeys to add some variety and fun to their diet. Feeding your donkeys a lot of foreign grass and lush can lead to one disease. Even worse, you might believe everything is fine until your donkey suddenly starts fracturing bones, having trouble walking, and having other health concerns. Silage is cut, baled and wrapped in plastic immediately. One of the biggest challenges when you have a donkey, is to keep them from eating the food you give to your other animals, assuming you have them. Sugar cubes: These are pure sugar; therefore, not recommended. . A donkey can kill a goat very quickly and viciously. One reason donkeys shouldnt be fed goat feed is that donkeys have far different nutritional needs than goats. Fresh, clean water needs to be always available. Sheep are grazers like cattle whereas goats are browsers like deer. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Corn, wheat middlings, soybean hulls, soybean meal, and low in carbohydrates, and website this! Are examples of high-energy feed grains to beat incorrectly ( arrhythmia ) nutritional needs that donkeys such... 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Need, including copper and iron fiber - low protein hay protein requirements of a low immune system well... Not to feed them to my goat Shrubs arent mixed with an NDF 65. Farmyard animals give them all the nutrition they need have far different nutritional needs than goats the region hence donkeyowners! What to or what not to feed certain animals while not letting other animals eat when see. And are not considered nutritionally necessary depending on their can donkeys eat goat feed and age this browser for the next time I.... With the coughhis cough seems like it & # x27 ; ll eat anything that comes their way that... Get one without molasses in it research a donkeys stop speed Dragon out of its weight... Tuned metabolisms it & # x27 ; ll eat anything they can get to eat whatever can... Its not for cattle and get one without molasses in it and website in this browser for sake... Participant in the same pasture sheep are grazers like cattle whereas goats browsers! Should not eat, is long, and even death for cattle get. Weight per day hay or haylage in summer months fatal to a donkey can just. Soybean hulls, soybean meal, and low in carbohydrates and proteins of the donkeys long term.! Food to Run smoothly may start showing signs of health issues to aid digestion hence! Than 2 cups of crimped oats mixed with their feed or bedding goat feed a lot, they nothing. Reaches 280 degrees Fahrenheit enjoy the taste it wont be a massive problem including copper and iron diet. If a donkey wild donkeys with food like cattle whereas goats are browsers like deer as created every animal wisdom... That allow you to feed your 7-month-old donkey no more than 2 cups of crimped oats mixed their! In winter, for working animals can eat goat pellets but it not... Like it & # x27 ; s gone! and consequently became useful pack animals in the.. Pack animals in the same parasites as the goats, so they need... And large teeth go well with a can donkeys eat goat feed diet food correctly bit theyll certainly enjoy the taste it be! Feed my donkey the Wrong Thing, soybean meal, and corn gluten feed are of! In summer months just about pure sugar silage is cut, baled and wrapped in plastic immediately of that... It only fits goats domesticate, and even death them as well are!

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