Page 1052 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse
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dysfunction (PPID); testing protocols are similar to the horse but the donkey is never
completely starved overnight.
VetBooks.ir
Figure 23.9 An overweight, elderly donkey
Feeding Donkeys
Donkeys require fewer calories to maintain their weight than a pony of the same size and
most can be maintained on a diet made up predominantly of good quality barley straw that is
free from mould. This can be topped up where necessary with small quantities of hay,
haylage or grass with a vitamin and mineral supplement that does not promote weight gain.
Their diet should be low in sugars and starches and they should not be given cereal-based
feeds. Occasional treats should be restricted to small sticks of carrot and high fibre cubes.
Grazing should be limited by using a small paddock without lush grass.
Older donkeys or those with poor dentition may need to be maintained on a short chop
low calorie product rather than barley straw.
The nutritional requirements of donkeys will increase in cold weather in the winter.
Jennies need an increase in the energy density of the diet in late pregnancy and lactation to
avoid hyperlipaemia developing.
