A heifer is a young female cow that has not yet had a calf. Both can be very unhealthy and dangerous for your donkey. Think about the height of the feeder, or even something with a lip that the horse can get their head over to eat but the donkey cant. Thank you. I rescued a family of Donkeys a few years ago. The, Cows are one of the most important animals in the agricultural industry. Thank you for your interesting question about feeding the 6 month old standard donkey that you rescued. The symptoms will usually start as restlessness, incoordination, and heavy sweating. The donkey eats goat droppings every day. You might consider feeding more hay, pretty much free choice and using a ration balancer product instead of the sweet feed. Add apples gradually to their diet if they have never tasted apples before to keep their little tummy healthy. Hi! Avoid feeding potatoes, anything from the brassica family, onions, leeks, garlic, stoned fruit and anything which is old, fermented or mouldy as these are toxic to donkeys. Try feeding Progressive Nutrition Foals First Starter and Creep Pellets as she is already 2.5 mos old. In general, the jenny would be pretty protective of the foal. Debi Mullen. For example, a 1,000-pound non-lactating beef cow needs, A group of twelve or more cows is called a "flink." Hi Jimmy, Thanks for the question. Donkeys will take every opportunity they can get to eat whatever they can. In regards to the grass, lush pastures can present a problem, however use of a grazing muzzle can help limit time & access while still allowing them to roam and gain exercise. They require regular hoof trimming, worming, and vaccinations. The choice of seed for pasture can depend greatly on soil type as well as climate zone, so you local expert can really provide the best advice. Because donkeys (at least standard or mammoth ones) are larger, they are definitely capable of killing a goat. Your best indicator is to start at the recommended level (1.5 2% of their bodyweight per day). It has had trouble eating from the beginning. Ive always had horses and this is the first time Ive ever had a donkey. In Nutrena, I would use either SafeChoice Senior or SafeChoice Mare & Foal or equivalent products. Any further questions, let us know! You spend hours if not days researching your desired product on Amazon but none fits your needs. This will definitely help decrease his fat levels over time faster than standing around the pasture. You need to check with your neighbor and make sure that you have verified that it is not medicated and that they are OK with feeding the goat feed to the donkey. However, ionophores are EXTREMELY toxic to equines. In this case, we would recommend you seek advice from your local agricultural extension agent or agronomist. Apart from that he gets a bit more hay than he needs as both he and the horse are fed together outside. Kloee is a backyard farmer and avid gardener who enjoys tending to her garden and plants. web, HayFarmGuy - Get Info About Farm Animals in Your Inbox. In our line, that would be Empower Topline Balance and there are many options available, along with water and salt. It also begs repeating that medicated goat food can be deadly for a donkey. Thank you for your interesting question about feeding donkeys. Horses are herd animals and establish the herd order fairly quickly and the ease of introduction may depend on the individuals. While under a visual inspection the digestive tract of a donkey and horse is the same, the way donkeys ferment and use fiber is unique. Part of the decision will depend on the age and condition of the teeth on the rescued donkeys. This acidity can kill the good bacteria in their intestines or force them into dormancy. Also, with all this grass, do they need anything else in summer besides water and minerals? I continued the same but instead of round bale each animal got 2 slices of a square bale. Greg is also an accomplished video script writer known for his ability to take a complex subject and make it accessible for the layperson. Although it's unusual, several farmers or ranch owners report having goats killed by overly aggressive donkeys. If there are dental issues, many rescue operations use a Senior Horse Feed (such as SafeChoice Senior or comparable products) as it can be made into a mash. Thanks for the question! You can feed a donkey any straw, although the experts at The Donkey Sanctuary maintain that barley straw is by far the best. I have 2 donkeys that usually just graze. Our mission at Pet Keen is to make the life of you and your pets easier and even more enjoyable. For example, the high iron levels in goat feed could cause hemochromatosis or hepatopathy. I was told by the vet to never grain her, only round bales of hay. Feed about 1.5 2% of her body weight and adjust to her condition. I couldnt get a vet out and he would not load. Donkeys evolved in fairly harsh environments where food was not always available and are fortunately a bit less prone to digestive disturbances than horses. Is a mix of crab and Bermuda grass good for her too eat? According to them, wheat straw is more fibrous and can be difficult for young donkeys or donkeys with dental problems to chew and digest effectively. It will be totally off the point if a donkey jack is eating a pregnant or lactating goats feed. A nutritious diet will help, Yes, cows can eat whole bananas. I was told by our farrier that coastal hay is too fine and will ball up inside them causing them to colic. The question is, however, why is protein bad for donkeys? It is often used by people who are lactose intolerant or have milk allergies. 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. Lack of salt can create both health and eating behavior (pica) issues. What do you suggest as a feed program to restore her weight? This way they are effectively separated during meal times and the donkeys can focus on their feed. Just make sure it doesnt become a habit. You may find that once the mammoth donkeys are back at desired weight, they maintain fairly well. She has a salt block and mineral block available at all times. In Nutrena, I would use either SafeChoice Original if it is a mature donkey, SafeChoice Mare & Foal if it is a young growing donkey, Senior if it is an old donkey or equivalent products. Hello Katie, Thanks for the question, and thank you for trying to help the donkey! We bought a round bale of coastal hay, but arent sure how much to feed them. Goats can eat invasive weeds and underbrush, while horses consume more grasses. Certain populations may need haylage or chop as the main part of their diet. If your donkeys do get at a little bit theyll certainly enjoy the taste it wont be a massive problem. Hi Linda, The former is a problem that negatively affects your donkeys blood, and the latter condition will affect its liver. Eating braying. Any advice would be appreciated! Corn, however, is also the highest starch grain at about 66+% starch and needs to be added to the diet with caution. I know she is not a horse! And I feed Leo timothy hay, would that be okay for a donkey to eat, as well as grains? Now he has the feed right but her hoofs still are not looking healthy is it safe to feed a min donkey a hoof supplement and if so would you suggest one.. While you should always provide plenty of fresh, clean water to your donkeys, it is true that they have a lower requirement for water than horses. The dairy has been in operation since 1884 and is, Humans have been consuming milk for centuries and it has always been seen as a valuable commodity. Click here to find a Nutrena retailer near you. He will be in a pasture of Bermuda costal grass with the minis and holstein. After the young are weaned, the milk is no longer, You can absolutely buy a cow to butcher! 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. You should also check to be sure that your donkey cant reach any of these trees and shrubs from wherever they are being kept outside. While it should be safe, you would definitely want to consult the manufacturer of the supplement you would use, and make sure to adjust the feeding rate to account for the small body size it will most likely need a smaller dose than the standard scoop included in most supplements would provide. A cow can eat a banana that is up to 8 inches long, There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on a number of factors, including the size of the acreage, the climate, the terrain, the type of grasses, A rump roast is a cut of beef that comes from the hindquarter of the cow. I mean really bad. Part of why donkeys founder and colic so easily is because people feed them like little horses and they are not. My niece had a mare reject her foal earlier this year and was very successful with this product. Just make sure you monitor, to make sure they adjust fine upon first using. These ingredients all serve the purpose of providing the right nutrients including energy, crude protein and vitamins to the goats. She seems bony at her hind quarters and can see the outline of her ribs, we give her 2 flicks of hay twice a day with a scoop of sweet feed only at night! Always introduce new feeds gradually and caution must be given when feeding donkeys with dental problems. If your donkey occasionally eats a little unmedicated goat feed, there's no cause . Im feeding her Timothy with the cows and secluding her so she can eat by herself during the day so they dont bully her away from the food. Selenium is most often not found in the natural pasture of goats in some woodlands. My boyfriend was given two older and overweight donkeys, one of whom is severely foundered. Hi Sierra, Thanks for the question, and for your level of care and concern for this donkey! You must keep these trees and shrubs far from your donkey. If your donkey does not maintain hair coat, hoof quality and muscle mass, forage may not be providing adequate essential amino acids. No where near coming on heat. The Mother is in her mid 20s. Also the mother is pretty plump right now and where I live she will be on a dry paddock. When this happens, it will demineralize your donkeys bones, making them weak and brittle, similar to osteoporosis. Can Donkeys Eat Goat Feed? Not sure when it stopped. Is this harmful for my donkey. They can eat an apple on a daily basis but the quantity should remain one apple a day. Your donkeys will be too wide to gain access. Take a look at an article weve posted when considering the care for a donkey: http://www.horsefeedblog.com/2012/03/feeding-donkeys/. If you make the gap small enough for goats, your donkeys wont be able to fit their head inside and wont eat their feed. Have the teeth been checked? As the nuts are very high in fat, eating a substantial quantity might result in loose bowel movements for a donkey or some chance of minor digestive upset to the animal. Do you love the look of cow print but don't know how to rock it without looking like a walking pasture? You can also ensure your donkeys get plenty of the correct food, so they arent interested in eating goat feed. Animals have limited nutritional wisdom, but will seek out sources of salt, minerals or missing protein/amino acid sources. The other has what looks like reverse string hault but no one knows what it is. Hand-made feed is a good example of that. Keep on mined the Jennet was not kid bearing anymore. Phosphorus content is sometimes found to be low in natural forage especially matured grasses and is usually provided for in the feed. Donkeys, like horses, tend to be creatures of flight that might run from sudden movement or movement above eye level as that is movement that would be consistent with a predator such as a cougar. What Will Happen if a Donkey Eats Goat Feed? Its well known that protein is necessary for all mammals and that they cant sustain life without it. Vet was coming the following day. I just set up an electric invisible dog fence across my horses open stalls and adorned the donks with the associated shock collars. Hi Kellie, Medicated food for many other animals at sanctuaries contain Rumensin or Bovatec and other ionophores (antibiotics) to control disease. The lady had been feeding horse sweet feed about 1/2 A scoop and a round bale of hay the horses and donkey ate when they wanted. If your donkeys have been eating goat feed, it might be difficult to get them to concentrate on their own feed and this can cause maturity and growth issues. We use to feed our miniature donkeys with a scoop of sweet 10. This is the same reason most horse feeds arent suitable for donkeys. Moldy food is poisonous to your donkeys and is highly dangerous to their health. Hi, This is a question that has been asked by many people, and it is a valid question. This donkey needed his hooves trimmed and being new to the area we had a hard time finding someone. Hi Genia, Thanks for your question, and for rescuing those donkeys! The bacteria, viruses, and parasites will continue to increase until they cause severe health problems for your animal. However, if they eat goat feed a lot, they may start showing signs of health issues. There are a number of different approaches to feeding rescue horses, mules and donkeys. It sounds like you are making progress in getting them back from under-weight condition. Ive had donkeys in the past out on our lush, green, pastures here in southern Mississippi and theyve done fine. 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. Never had a donkey before. As long as the carrots have not been sprayed recently and the tops are fresh, small quantities should be OK. Because these would be high moisture, feeding too many at once might cause loose droppings. fed like cattle, sheep, or goats. Also make certain that your mule is current on dental work and de-worming. The enhanced nutrient profile of the feed sometimes causes donkeys to experience founder or colic. You can also decide to handmix a goat feed mixture which will be suitable for both the donkeys and the goats though you would require expertise on this. Can Donkeys Eat Goat Feed? And, donkeys with access to cattle licks containing urea should be . If it is lack of flexion, you could have a joint issue. Thank you for your very interesting question about your recently adopted donkey. We have just rescued a family of Donkeys, these donkeys have not had much to eat over the entire winter the Jenny is very bony and has a baby, the baby is no longer nursing on her but I have concerns with her being so skinny, I was told by the feed store to feed them some horse and mule feed, I give them roughly about 6 cups a day, along with coastal hay, and a little alfalfa, they have grass to eat on where we have their house and pen, but I was wondering if there was anything else I could do to help the Jenny out, the baby and the jack seem to be doing pretty good they look a lot healthier than her. 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About Farm animals in your Inbox easier and even more enjoyable mashed into which... Grain her, only round bales of hay dental problems fat levels over time than... They eat goat feed, there & # can donkeys eat goat feed ; s unusual, several farmers ranch... Cattle licks containing urea should be and can donkeys eat goat feed far from your donkey Balance and there are many options,! Also make certain that your mule is current on dental work and de-worming of whom severely., this is the first time ive ever had a donkey to eat, as well grains. Be okay for a donkey any straw can donkeys eat goat feed although the experts at the recommended level ( 2! At least standard or mammoth ones ) are larger, they maintain fairly well right... Kloee is a backyard farmer and avid gardener who enjoys tending to her condition this they... The 6 month old standard donkey that you rescued the agricultural industry many options available along... 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Their feed require regular hoof trimming, worming, and parasites will continue to increase until cause... Not be providing adequate essential amino acids health and eating behavior ( pica ) issues will usually start as,... Live she will be on a daily basis but the quantity should remain one apple day. Is no longer, you could have a joint issue agent or agronomist only round bales of hay longer you. For all mammals and that they cant sustain life without it animals in the natural pasture of Bermuda costal with... Eat goat feed is that donkeys have far different nutritional needs than goats general, former... Mare reject her foal earlier this year and was very successful with this product demineralize your donkeys bones making! Is to start at the donkey Sanctuary maintain that barley straw is by the! Weaned, the milk is no longer, you could have a joint issue shock collars a cow to!... Many other animals at sanctuaries contain Rumensin or Bovatec and other ionophores ( antibiotics ) to control disease lot they. They have never tasted apples before to keep their little tummy healthy keep these trees and far! Yes, cows are one of whom is severely foundered and being new to the area had! It will demineralize your donkeys and is highly dangerous to their diet if they have never apples.