feeding a donkey?

Question

I am getting ready to take in a donkey for the winter and I have no idea how to feed them but I do own horses. I am taking the donkey in for the winter from the ranch I work at.

I know all about donkeys I want to know how much to feed them

this donkey and there other horses are all field horse they only get feed when they need to gain wait.

Answer 1

Donkey Whow I like those stupid donkey's , feed them with grass.

Answer 2

We had a mini donkey as a companion on loan from a friend, for an orphan foal.

I'm told they are notoriously easy keepers compared to horses in general, and our experience was right in line with that.

I feed large round bales (grass/alfalfa mix) because I like the idea that it's always out there on demand, and when it's really cold I throw out some square in addition to the round.

So, Willie munched happily on the round bale as needed and got about a veggie can full of grain.

They are very entertaining. You're in for quite a treat.

Answer 3

Provide adequate clean, fresh water in clean watering troughs everyday.
Feeding time and method should be consistent daily for the donkey.
Feed donkeys intermittently with little food each time to prevent or minimise the risk of digestive upsets.
Food provided should be free of foreign materials like plastic bags and any other materials (hardware), which might be dangerous to the donkey.
A regularly working donkey with no adequate grazing time should be provided with some concentrate feeds to supplement its basal roughage diet.
A donkey should be allowed a rest period after a very large feed.

Answer 4

Donkeys are actually not horses. they're going to founder plenty swifter than horses. Horses do no longer eat barley straw the place because it relatively is mandatory for donkeys. do no longer feed donkeys candy feed! you're in seek of for issues. do some high quality learn.

Answer 5

the barn where i board and work has 2 mini donkeys and they get hay (when stabled or when their pen is grazed) and grain made for horses... they are mini's, one get half a scoop of grain and the other gets 1/4 scoop, both twice a day... they were underweight when they came to us but now are boarderline chubby but they will be outside all winter (the barn owner just rescued a pony and he took the only empty stall that was for the donks)... if he was at my barn and in good weight i'd give him free choice hay and if he starts to lose weight SLOWLY start giving him grain. good luck they are wonderful creatures and horses love them!

Answer 6

I have two donkeys. When they're not out to pasture, they get a flake of hay each. Usually Alfalfa Hay. They are fed in the morning and in the evening.

EDIT: Also thought I'd mention that a flake of alfalfa hay is equal to about 6 lbs.

Answer 7

Hopefully you will get some good responders, if not ask the owner or call you vet. It is my understanding that donkeys need hay, no oats and such, maybe a carrot and apple and lots of love. They like companionship.

Answer 8

What size is your donkey? That is really dependent on my answer sorry, if you can add that, I can help you more.

What hay do you have, grass, alfalfa, etc?

Do not give any grain, they never need it.

My donk is a 12.3h large standard, possibly still growing, and he gets 4lbs of alfalfa 2x/day. You want to make sure you do not overfeed them, they can get lipomas and those never go away, even with dieting.

Feel free to email me with more questions too, good luck and glad your asking before your getting him. So many ppl overfeed their donks, causing a walking blubbery mess :)

Good luck to you!!

Answer 9

I've got two donkey's. They eat what the horses eat, although their portions are smaller. They are pretty hardly animals, they will do fine with whatever your horses are getting.

Answer 10

Well no worries. Donkeys arent that different. They just seem to kick more.