Honeydew melons also contain vitamin C and minerals like potassium, calcium, and magnesium. Goats prefer to eat tips of shrubs, trees, vines, and broad-leafed plants. Because of the different digestive system of the donkey, they might eat up the goats feed and be full without actually getting the important nutrients they require and this can lead to health problems later. But it all depends on the animal involved. Donkeys also spawn in meadows. If injested it could make them quite sick. 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. Hence,donkeyowners or guardians are always concerned about what to or what not to feed them. As social creatures, chickens can comingle among larger farm animals such as horses, donkeys, llamas, cows, sheep, and goats. They can share a pasture as they eat different food. However, you need to be careful about how much you feed them. Wir verwenden Cookies um Inhalte und Anzeigen zu personalisieren, um Social-Media-Funktionen zur Verfgung zu stellen und unseren Traffic zu analysieren. You might have different questions on their meals and what donkeys can and may't eat. Instead is better for a donkeys health to eat the straw resulting from the harvest of grains than for them to eat the grain itself. The question is, however, why is protein bad for donkeys? Search our database of over 13360 posts with up-to-date information from our experts and veterinarians. Donkeys are vegetarian, and their diet needs to be high in fibre, and low in carbohydrates and proteins. Although a small amount of unmedicated goat feed wont hurt your donkey, a goat feed diet can be harmful, and its best to use healthier alternatives. Please Note:This list of toxic and poisonous foods for donkeys is not exhaustive. Theyre much better off with hay. It can squeeze the goodness out of the most marginal vegetation on the planet. Feed them two to three times a day all through these months. Now maybe you're thinking about getting dairy goats to round out your backyard homestead and start raising goats for milk.. A lot of people, including me, keep both chickens and goats as a significant . Fruits: Apples, bananas (including the peel), pears, watermelon, oranges, and strawberries. If overfed they are predisposed towards obesity, insulin resistance and liver disease, much like humans. Pasture for sheep is not that different than that for cattle but pasture for goats is very different. What Can Happen if I Feed My Donkey the Wrong Thing? This is the same reason most horse feeds arent suitable for donkeys. Even though horses and donkeys are equines, horses have specific nutritional needs that donkeys dont, and vice versa. Creep feeders are large devices found on many farms that allow you to feed certain animals while not letting other animals eat. Feeding a herd of goats can be tricky. If your donkey occasionally eats a little unmedicated goat feed, theres no cause for alarm. According to the UKs Donkey Sanctuary website: In their natural habitat donkeys will browse, eating highly fibrous plant material in small quantities throughout the day. 2022 okaypetproducts.com. All these extra nutrients can cause several health issues, some of which are quite severe. This last problem caused by overeating protein will affect your donkeys GI tract and the good bacteria. He also has a massive Lego city he built with his son, Alex, and is very proud of his daughter, Catherine, an accomplished graphic artist. It is also usually the most expensive part of the feed. The fact thatdonkeyscan adapt to any environment and are okay with whatever you feed them doesnt mean you shouldnt watch out for things they shouldnt eat. This is a lot with minimal or no grass growing on it. The other items mentioned in the list above are lower risk than cookies and candy. Goats have a complex digestive system that requires different types and amounts of food to run smoothly. Avoid cereal-grain-basedpelletsand opt for fiber-basedpellets. Crittasaurus is as an active participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. Goats and sheep also have some radically different feed needs that can prove hugely problematic - so their feeding stations may need to be kept separate. Many people think that donkeys eatgrassand are okay with just that. Donkeys are known to go after goat feed however this should not be encouraged as they can get filled from eating goat feed and neglect their own food. The symptoms will usually start as restlessness, incoordination, and heavy sweating. Is it Good for Them? However, when fed sparingly, corn can be a nutritious and fun treat for your goats. They have nothing else to browse on in their pen. Diet should have low sugar levels. Why Do Horses Roll in the Dirt, Mud, & Ground? Donkeys are desert animals, and their bodies are not designed for rich pasture or grains. Something worth mentioning here is that NOT all goat feed is unsuitable for donkeys. Note that hay cant be used as a treat. Please consult with a veterinarian for a full list. If your donkey has gone off their feed, you can also use grated apples, carrots, celery, squash, and green vegetables to help peak their interest. Thats why its best not to give your donkey feed from another animal, as their dietary needs dont always match and, in some cases, can be significantly different. At first, they may have difficulty eating grass, hay, and straw due to poor dentition. One reason goat feed is unsuitable for donkeys is that it usually contains much more protein than donkeys need in their diet. Donkeys also need trace mineral salt, not the white salt eaten by sheep or goat. Donkeys don't need the extra iron, copper, protein, and other vitamins and minerals usually added to goat feed. Yes, goats can eat uncooked potatoes. Kiwifruit Kiwifruits are tasty treats for your goats. If your donkey has eaten food that has poisoned them, here are some signs to watch out for. For any of these fruits and vegetables, make sure they are fresh, free of mold, and cut into smaller pieces, such as sticks, to avoid choking. You can also purchase loose salt in a package. Older donkeys need to be given food that is easier to chew. If you have goats and feed your goats and donkeys in the same general area, theres a high probability that your donkey will eat your goats feed. Instead,donkeysshould be placed on aforage-only diet or fiber-based concentrate to avoid gastric ulcers. You would be ill advised to give your donkey vegetables in the onion, potato or broccoli families. Another method is to put up fences that separate your donkeys from your goats and other livestock. Donkeys and llamas can consume what the goats eat but will require other care to remain healthy, including foot trimming and shearing of the llamas. (US & Worldwide Statistics in 2023). A happy donkey has a friend to play with that plays the way he does, and that he can eat with and sleep near. The list of foods that donkeys should not eat, is long. Remember that a treat should not be a large part of your donkeys diet. Admittedly, I don't know heaps on donks and maybe their . Feed made for animals like chickens, goats, cows, pigs, and others is designed for the nutrition needs of that particular animal. Goats require much iron and hay which donkeys dont need. Theirdigestive systemis also built to break down food efficiently. You can store them so theyll be in excess during the winter months as they are always scarce during this season. Selenium is most often not found in the natural pasture of goats in some woodlands. Certain populations may need haylage or chop as the main part of their diet. Donkeys usually eat barley straw, hay, grass (pasture) . It can be treated, but he will likely have a recurrence. They also attack if they feel threatened, biting and kicking. Even worse, you might believe everything is fine until your donkey suddenly starts fracturing bones, having trouble walking, and having other health concerns. Chief among these making sure the donkeys diet is low in proteins, specifically animal proteins, grains. Avoid givingdonkeyfeeds that contain molds and foreign materials, such. . Unlimited Access to Pasture Donkeys are variants of horses that, when tamed, can be ridden and equipped with chests. This will help them absorb the best nutrition from what they eat. Its well known that protein is necessary for all mammals and that they cant sustain life without it. Over-acidity can also cause the breakdown of the hard and soft tissue of a donkeys body, including its bones and organs. Horses are herbivores just like goat. As with chickens . They are safe and healthy for them to eat. Therefore, feeding them the right food is essential, so yourdonkeydoesnt get prone tolaminitisor become overweight. Examples includecarrots, beetroots,apples,oranges,pears, strawberries, grapefruits, lettuce, and cucumber. Heres more on how a creep feeder works. he U.S., Belgium, and Peru. True -- everything depends on the individual animal. 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. If there are a number of people taking care of the donkeys, care needs to be taken that these treats are strictly controlled. How Do Cats Show Affection? If your old donkey (generally, age 20 or more) is missing or has very worn teeth, he may need a modified or an alternative feed to receive the required nutrition. Do not feed yourdonkeyswith leftover meals, as they might have a hard time digesting them. All these extra nutrients can cause several health issues, some of which are quite severe. Depends on each goat and their preference each day. Also, you need to ensure that parts of these trees and shrubs arent mixed with their feed or bedding. Heres a video of one farmer mixing up feed for his goats. Considering that the average lifespan of a donkey is only 35 years, that's a very long time. . It needs a more balanced diet. The signs that a donkey is ready to give birth, How your donkey shows he or she loves you, The truth about horses and donkeys mating, Do Goats Attract Rats? For use during training: Crimped oats and timothy hay cubes. Conclusion. The first is to feed your donkeys in a different place away from your other animals. Donkeys and goats do not have the same nutritional needs, making feeding time complicated. If your donkey is showing pain symptoms, not feeling well, or not eating, be sure to contact your veterinarian immediately. It's the nature of both animals. I will advise separate pens or pastures. Therefore, their metabolisms are not designed for processing rich food, hence there are few food groups that are suitable for donkeys. An excess of proteins could become toxic and will be bad for a donkey. Other: Mint leaves and horse treats (especially low sugar/low carb ones). JavaScript is disabled. I have 2 new miniature donkeys and will be bringing home some young goats. This can result from excess consumption of cereal-based feed or grass. Donkeys should eat like birds, little but often, in order to give their food time to digest. However, broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, cabbage and kale are not, and are bad foods for donkeys. Can Goats Eat Uncooked Potatoes? Image Credit: vvvita, Shutterstock The best companion for a donkey is another donkey. Do not give donkeys whole stone fruits as they may choke on the pips. How much and how often do monkeys eat? The second cutting is better for the donkey diet. 3. This is too rich for donkeys. Heres what donkeys should not eat please print it out and keep. Its body will deal with the extra vitamins, minerals, and protein like any other food. Location. This affiliate advertising program is designed to allow websites to earn from advertising via commission by linking to amazon.com with recommend products. As . Because of this, a diet that is too high in protein, starch, or sugar can cause a donkey to gain excess weight. Learn more. How to Clean Maltipoo Eyes (6 Effective Tips). This acidity can kill the good bacteria in their intestines or force them into dormancy. Although these animals are compatible with chickens, you should consider the risk of underfoot injury and unintentional trampling. They will also use them to scratch against and drag them around. Donkeys, despite being part of the equine family, evolved in a way close to ruminants like goats. However, some donkeys exhibit more territorial behavior than the others, resulting in either antagonistic behavior or guardian behavior. This includes dairy products. Feeding shouldnt be intensified after adonkeyhas lost its feeding condition. Succulents constitute a significant contribution to adonkeys healthy diet. There are several things you can do to prevent this. Advice? Donkeys can eat goat pellets but it would not probably not give them all the nutrition they need. Donkeys need to eat hay and coarse pasture to get all the nutrition they need and require. 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. These are all also high in sugar. Similarly, whilst a little onion might not harm the donkey, if eaten to excess, these foods are very bad for donkeys, poisoning their system. 6. Foals start at half the size of adults and in Bedrock . What Does It Mean When A Cat Lets You Touch Its Paws? Shifting weight from one hoof to another when standing. Straw should be the main source of feed in the summer, making up approximately 75 per cent of all feed, and in the winter straw should be 50 per cent of a donkey's feed. Also, don't feed the donkey with moldy meals. As weve seen, too much protein causes a donkeys body to become acidic. Garlic. The former is a problem that negatively affects your donkeys blood, and the latter condition will affect its liver. These plants contain a poison called solanine, which is concentrated in the leaves and stems. Food goes through the donkeys digestive system more slowly than a horses. They are grazing on the grass growing in the soil, eating your plants or they simply aren't hungry! Medicated food for many other animals at sanctuaries contain Rumensin or Bovatec and other ionophores (antibiotics) to control disease. Wheat straw has the required low nutritional value but is better for animals with strong teeth. However, they should not be allowed to graze for too long on lush, new grass for the same reasons as stated above. Chances are you will see a donkey at some point during the next 12 months, but if you do, please resist the temptation to feed them. All these extra nutrients can cause several health issues, some of which are quite severe. She likes to relax with a bottle of wine and read a book. 2-6 donkeys spawn only in plains at light level 7 or above. If hes having trouble chewing or doesnt swallow the chewed hay, he may need pre-chopped hay. Working donkeys can absorb a higher caloric intake of food than those are standing around, looking cute at a petting zoo or donkey sanctuary. What Will Happen if a Donkey Eats Goat Feed? Mules also make good guard animals and are larger than donkeys. Updated on March 28, 2023. Here are some good tips to follow when feeding donkeys: DO NOT overfeed! Watch your donkey eat to make sure he is chewing and swallowing his hay. This is why a proper diet is so important. The best way to stop your donkeys eating goat feed is to invest in a creep feeder. All these are effectively provided for in the feed. Answer (1 of 4): Yes they can but that dose not mean they should not most animals will turn their noses up to it but if they don't and you know that it is moldy remove it so they don't accidentally eat it. Rotate grazed areas wheredonkeysfeed to avoid parasitic worms. Be consistent with a feeding method and time. Most people think you can feed them a diet similar to horses, but in lower quantity. All these additional vitamins could cause a number of well being points, a few of that are fairly extreme. The leaves of cherry, peach, plum, and red maple trees are especially dangerous. Vegetables: Carrots, parsnips, and celery. If your donkey eats medicated goat feed, the results could be deadly, especially if they eat a lot of medicated feed. These need to be limited to one a day, in winter, for working animals. Goats are perfectly fine eating horse quality hay. Donkeys are also able to problem solve in steps on their own.