Cut pineapple in small triangles and no need to take the peel off, donkeys are happy to eat it! Blackberries are low in calories and very high in fiber: grams of blackberries have only 43 calories and 5. Carrots are one of the most popular treats for donkeys. They are also one of the easiest to find as you may have many in your own kitchen for the humans in your house or farm. Carrots are low in calories and a good source of fiber, although a somewhat lower source than some other fruits and vegetables on this list.
However, they are a great source of vitamin A, vitamin C, and potassium source : all nutritional components that are important for optimum donkey health. Pumpkin is a very safe and healthy vegetable to feed your donkey. Pumpkins are 92 percent water and very high in fiber. Pumpkins are also full of essential minerals including magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus source. Cut up raw pumpkin in small chunks before feeding it to your donkeys.
Also, stay away from pumpkin that has started to go off or that is moldy: mold is toxic for donkeys. Similar to pumpkin, butternut squash is very high in water, a great source of fiber, and rich in essential minerals including magnesium and potassium source.
Turnips belong to the cruciferous family, along with kale, brussels sprouts, broccoli, and cauliflower. While turnips are safe for donkeys, other cruciferous vegetables are not. See section below for fruits and vegetables to avoid. One cup of cut up turnips has only 36 calories and is a great source of vitamin C and vitamin K source.
Rutabagas, also known as Swedish turnips or swedes, are another popular treat for donkeys. Over 80 percent water, this root vegetable is very low in calories and source of fiber source.
According to most donkey experts, rutabagas are one of their most common go-to treats for their donkeys sourc e. Celery is a good source of potassium and very low in calories; a gram portion has only 15 calories, so this is a particularly healthy vegetable for donkeys to eat source.
Although slightly higher in sugar than turnips or celery, they are also a great source of manganese, potassium, and iron, some of the essential minerals that a healthy donkey diet should contain. Corn is a plentiful vegetable and is safe for donkeys. Generally as a rule we do not recommend feeding treats from the hand unless for training purposes as it can encourage the animal to bite.
None of the above lists are exhaustive - please contact us if you are in doubt about the safety of any other food type. Safe treats for donkeys A guide to tasty treats and tempters for donkeys.
Feed in moderation We would recommend feeding only leaves or one small handful-sized portion maximum per day. Ensure that chopped fruit and vegetables are cut in a way that minimises the risk of choking, such as in sticks. Donkeys on a forage only diet may not obtain all of the required vitamins and minerals from the straw, grass and hay in their diets. Therefore, we recommend that in addition to the standard food you supply that all donkeys will benefit from the addition of a vitamin and mineral supplement in the form of a balancer or unmolassed equine mineralised block, designed to supplement their diet all year round to prevent any deficiencies.
Blocks designed for other livestock may be toxic to donkeys as some contain inappropriate mineral levels. We have successfully used TopSpec Donkey Forage Balancer for donkeys on weight loss or maintenance diets and TopSpec Comprehensive Balancer for those with extra nutritional needs such as growing, breeding, underweight, ill or elderly donkeys.
Water is perhaps the most essential of all nutrients since without it life cannot continue for longer than a few days, or less in adverse conditions. Clean, fresh water should be freely available at all times. Remember to check water supplies in cold weather to ensure they have not frozen. If it is possible provide access to several sources of water to increase the choices available to your donkey, enriching their environment and encouraging them to drink sufficient amounts.
For more information about nutrition and pasture management, please call the welfare advice line on What to feed your donkeys Essential nutrition advice. Straw We recommend feeding donkeys quality barley straw as it is high in fibre and low in sugar, and closely resembles the food that a donkey would eat in the wild.
Hay If you plan to feed your donkeys hay during the winter months, ensure you have enough forage in store to see you through the winter as supplies could run out before the winter is over. Different types of hay available include: 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. Hay produced from cow pasture usually has higher energy levels and may be less suitable if fed on its own. However it could be fed mixed with a higher ratio of straw.
Silage Silage is not suitable for feeding to donkeys because the moisture level is usually too high, with a low pH, as well as a low fibre and high protein level. High fibre pellets There are many brands on the market selling high fibre pellets. Dried sugar beet pulp Sugar beet, a by-product of the sugar industry, is a useful food given in small amounts to tempt a sick donkey to eat or to help an elderly donkey or underweight donkey gain condition. Succulents Fruit and vegetables can be fed in small amounts one or two a day to provide variety and encourage a healthy appetite.
Minerals and vitamins Donkeys on a forage only diet may not obtain all of the required vitamins and minerals from the straw, grass and hay in their diets. Water Water is perhaps the most essential of all nutrients since without it life cannot continue for longer than a few days, or less in adverse conditions. General considerations All feed stuffs should be of high quality. All equines are sensitive to toxins that can be found in spoiled feeds. All feed stuffs should be free from mould.
All changes to their diet should be made gradually, over at least days. Donkeys prefer to browse for their bulk and fibre throughout the day. Donkeys prefer to eat little and often.
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