Buyer protection
Contents
The basis of donkey feeding is straw – barley or oat straw –, supplemented with late-cut, high-structure hay. This is complemented by limited, lean grazing, fresh water at all times, and salt or mineral feed as needed. As a rule, a donkey does not need concentrated feed. Sounds meager? That is exactly the point.
Why donkeys eat differently than horses
Donkeys come from barren, dry regions. There, they find little nutrient-rich, but rather fiber-rich food spread throughout the day: hard grasses, herbs, twigs. Their digestive system is designed exactly for this. It gets an astonishing amount of energy out of very little.
That is why donkeys are not little horses. A ration that would be barely enough for a horse is often already plenty for a donkey. Too much sugar, too much starch, and too lush food promote obesity and are considered the main risk for laminitis in donkeys. Malnutrition can also promote colic.
At the same time, donkeys want to and should chew for a long time. They are designed to spend many hours a day eating. Long feeding breaks do not suit their digestive system. The art of donkey feeding therefore lies in combining a lot of activity with little energy.
Hay or straw? A direct comparison
Many owners ask: hay or straw – which is right? The answer is: both, in the right role. Straw forms the basis, hay supplements.
| Feature | Straw (barley, oats) | Hay (late-cut) |
|---|---|---|
| Role in the feeding plan | Basis, available for many hours | Supplement, in portions |
| Energy and sugar | low | higher than straw, depending on the time of cutting |
| Structure and chewing time | very high in fiber, long chewing time | high in structure, if cut late |
| Popularity | liked, but eaten less greedily | very popular, eaten more quickly |
| What to look out for | clean, dry, dust- and mold-free | well stored, not musty, no early, leafy hay |
| Typical mistake | seeing straw only as bedding | free access to hay for lightly fed donkeys |
Why barley or oat straw? Both are relatively soft and are liked by donkeys. Wheat straw is harder and is often accepted less. In any case, quality is crucial: straw must be dry, clean, and free of mold.
Why late-cut hay? The later grass is cut, the more fiber and the less sugar it generally contains. Early, leafy hay is intended for horses in training, not for donkeys. Good donkey hay smells pleasant, is not dusty, and contains no poisonous plants.
This is what a feeding routine with donkeys looks like
There are no fixed amounts for all donkeys. Size, weight, age, activity, season, and history play a role. These principles still help you with planning:
- Straw available as long as possible: Your donkey should almost always have something to chew spread throughout the day. You should avoid long feeding breaks.
- Portion hay: Give hay in smaller amounts, preferably spread over several meals. Fine-mesh hay nets extend the feeding time.
- Water at all times: Fresh, clean water must always be accessible. In winter, make sure that the water troughs do not freeze.
- Salt and minerals: A salt lick is common. Whether and which mineral feed your donkey needs, discuss with your veterinarian.
- Keep an eye on their figure: Regularly feel the neck, back, ribs, and belly. Fat pads, for example on the mane ridge, are a warning sign. Then the ration is adjusted, not just the following year.
- Have their teeth checked: Who chews poorly, processes roughage worse. Regular dental checks are therefore part of the feeding.
- Change feed slowly: Introduce new hay or straw batches and the start of grazing gradually.
Grazing and seasons
Grazing is exercise, activity, and food for donkeys at the same time. But it is not a free pass. A lush, fertilized meadow quickly provides a donkey with more energy than it needs. Lean, limited areas are a better fit. How this can look in practice, you can read in Donkey Care: Sand Instead of Meadow.
- Spring: Young grass grows quickly and is rich in sugar. This is the most delicate time for donkeys. Gradually accustom your animals to grazing and keep the grazing time short at first. Straw remains the basis.
- Summer: The grass gets older and higher in fiber. Nevertheless, the rule applies: limited area or grazing time, a dry turnout with straw as a balance, and shade.
- Autumn: After rain, the grass often grows vigorously again. Cold, sunny days are also considered delicate, because grass can then store a lot of sugar. In addition, there is fallen fruit. Collect chestnuts, acorns, and plums regularly – more on this in Can Donkeys Eat Chestnuts? and Can Donkeys Eat Plums?.
- Winter: Grazing provides hardly any food anymore, straw and hay take over completely. A dry shelter without drafts is important. A donkey's coat does not repel moisture as well as that of many horses. More straw helps additionally, because chewing and digesting generate heat.
What does not belong in the trough
Many feeding problems arise not from too little, but from too much and the wrong things. These things have no place in the feeding plan:
- Concentrated feed without reason: Grains, muesli, and pellets are superfluous for most donkeys. Exceptions, for example with older donkeys with dental problems, you clarify with the veterinarian.
- Bread and grains: Why bread is taboo is explained in Can Donkeys Eat Bread?. The same applies to corn: Can Donkeys Eat Corn?.
- Grass clippings and garden waste: They ferment quickly and can contain poisonous plants. More in Can Donkeys Eat Grass Clippings?.
- Treats as a component of the feed: Fruit and vegetables are given at most rarely, small, and as a reward, cut into columns or lengthwise into strips. For overweight donkeys or donkeys with a history of laminitis, it is better to avoid them entirely.
And one more note for everyone who does not have their own donkey: never feed strange donkeys without the owner's permission. Which foods donkeys can and may eat at all, you can find in What Donkeys Can Eat: the Complete Feed List.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can donkeys be fed only with straw?
Straw is the basis, but usually not everything. Late-cut hay and limited grazing supplement the feeding plan. How the ratio should look for your donkey depends on weight, age, and season. Discuss it with your veterinarian.
Can donkeys eat haylage or silage?
Generally not recommended. Haylage and silage are moister, more substantial, and are eaten more quickly than hay. For donkeys, dry roughage is the more suitable choice.
How often a day should I feed my donkey?
As much as possible so that long feeding breaks are avoided. Straw should ideally be available for many hours, hay you give in several portions spread out.
Does a donkey need concentrated feed in winter?
Usually not. More straw, supplemented with hay, and a good shelter are generally sufficient. If your donkey loses weight, have the cause checked by your veterinarian.
This post provides general guidance on feeding donkeys. If you have questions about your animal, about pre-existing conditions, or abnormalities, please contact your veterinarian.
You want to do something good for donkeys without keeping one yourself? With a donkey sponsorship, you support donkey sanctuaries in Germany. And those who are curious about the food we stand for as DON DONKEY'S® can find our donkey milk here.
