2 NEW MINI DONKEYS - HELP!

[realchick]

We just got 2 new mini donkeys - not super small but mini donkeys for sure. Jenny is 6 and Jack is 4. She is pregnant and due in 4 months they said. She shows too.

Need help with feed, they dropped them off with 12% sweet feed and had been giving each a 3quart scoop once a day. Donkeys were on dry lot - no grass. We turned them out on our winter field here in Texas with some grass/weeds/etc. Coastal plain basically. They grazed all day.

What do I feed them and how much of the 12%? They are used to probably about 4 cups each it seems daily. Is that ok? Do I need to worry about them getting sick eating the brown and green winter fields with some clover and other tasty things in it? What blocks do I need out - AND.... if we put them in the big pasture with the goats - what about the GOAT BLOCKS (Tractor Supply brand) that we have out - will donkeys eat that and is it ok???

TIA for any and all help!!!

 

[SueT]

Donkeys can get fat if they have too much rich food. They also can founder, so restrict their diet. May I suggest you Google the American Donkey and Mule Society for lots of good tips and advice on how much to feed of what.
Good luck!
Welcome to BYC!!!

 

[SueT]

Here's the link:
http://www.lovelongears.com

 

[realchick]

Super thanks - not much on the site about QUANTITY - I have a 12% sweet all stock they sent with the donkeys - he said he was giving them 1 scoop each which about 7 cups each once a day.... they now have pasture and hay and she is pregnant. So maybe half of that a day - don't want to change too much of their routine....

 

[Larry55]

Donkies much like horses dont really need much sweet feed unless they are doing work. Founder can be an issue . Try putting them on pasture for specific times. Start with small amount of time and slowly increase over a month or so. This should give their bodies ample time to adjust.

 

[SueT]

he said he was giving them 1 scoop each which about 7 cups each once a day

Well if they aren't getting fat, then probably that's fine.
Fat begins to build on on the neck under the mane. In severe cases, the fat roll will flop over, mane and all. Supposedly if it gets to that point, it can't go back up. One of mine started to get the fat roll, and we put him on a diet and it shrunk back to normal. It has been about 8 yrs, since I had my 2 donkeys, a standard and a large standard. I don't remember how much sweet feed I gave them, not a lot, it was mainly to get them to come when called. Our pasture is fescue which is too rich for equines, so we had to limit that. They mainly ate grass hay. Donkeys have super efficient digestive systems, and can thrive on much less than can horses of the same size.
Aren't they marvelous creatures! How lucky to have a pregnant jenny! I hope you post pics!!! Especially of the new baby, when is it due?

 

[realchick]

Thanks Sue - great information!! Well, our pasture is coastal bahia hay and st.augustine indigenous weeds and natural - clover/etc. Gets really dead and dry in winter and hot summer. Texas. LOL.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Have had donkeys for 30 years. I never feed grains of any sort. Grass and grass hay. They will get fat enough eating them. Grains will also make them bray every time they see you. You can use it as a treat but I personally wouldn't feed it daily. Donkeys evolved to eat poor quality roughage, so they are good at putting on weight.

 

[RiverOtter]

Have had donkeys for 30 years. I never feed grains of any sort. Grass and grass hay. They will get fat enough eating them. Grains will also make them bray every time they see you. You can use it as a treat but I personally wouldn't feed it daily. Donkeys evolved to eat poor quality roughage, so they are good at putting on weight.

Very much this!!
I know here in the US we like our beasties fat to the point many think a fit one is too skinny, but fat donkeys are not only prone to founder, but kidney trouble as well.

Unless you're actively trying to put weight on them, I'd wean them off the grain. It can do a lot more harm than good. Yes, even your pregnant girl! Donkeys are native to areas like Texas, they'll do fine on pasture and hay. As Oldhenlikesdogs says, they'll get fat on free-choice hay.

If you really want to do the very best thing you can for them, take all the money you'll save on grain and give it to the farrier. When donkey's aren't working on hard ground their hooves grow quickly and can easily get misshapen. I trim 5 donkeys, only one of them has good feet and two are bad enough it's effected their joints. And that doesn't take years of neglect or anything, it happens quick but takes forever to fix

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Very much this!!
I know here in the US we like our beasties fat to the point many think a fit one is too skinny, but fat donkeys are not only prone to founder, but kidney trouble as well.

Unless you're actively trying to put weight on them, I'd wean them off the grain. It can do a lot more harm than good. Yes, even your pregnant girl! Donkeys are native to areas like Texas, they'll do fine on pasture and hay. As Oldhenlikesdogs says, they'll get fat on free-choice hay.

If you really want to do the very best thing you can for them, take all the money you'll save on grain and give it to the farrier. When donkey's aren't working on hard ground their hooves grow quickly and can easily get misshapen. I trim 5 donkeys, only one of them has good feet and two are bad enough it's effected their joints. And that doesn't take years of neglect or anything, it happens quick but takes forever to fix

Their hooves are a nightmare if you don't keep up on them. They are prone to twisting and curving.

At our last place my donkeys kept their hooves worn down coming in and out of the shed because it was a slight climb onto a concrete floor. Here we haven't been so lucky, though we poured a concrete floor in half of their shed area that helps a bit, but they still require regular trimmings.

Our two boys aren't exactly cooperative for hoof trimming either. Boys are always more trouble in equines in my experiences. Our elderly Jenny, their mom, just stands there.