Feeding
Donkey Food
The donkey is a monogastric herbivore. It has only one stomach, so it does not ruminate, but it chews for a long time and much more thoroughly than a horse, allowing it to efficiently digest very dry foods such as coarse hay, grains, bark, brambles, thistles, etc., and extract maximum benefit.
The following information is indicative, based on a common donkey weighing about 200 kg. The donkey’s adaptation to its environment and different breeds well adapted to their regions (such as the Poitou donkey or the Normandy donkey) must be taken into account.
Feeding Adapted to the Donkey’s Habitat
An Animal Adapted to Dry Terrain
Because of its origin (arid and semi-desert countries), the donkey thrives in dry terrain.
The Donkey’s Natural Dietary Balance
It will easily find its natural dietary balance there.
Beware of Rich and Humid Pastures
Care should be taken with very rich pastures, especially those high in nitrogen and very humid. In such cases, it is advisable to supplement with dry foods: straw, branches.
Overfeeding, a Major Risk
The donkey fears overfeeding more than underfeeding.
Monitor but Don’t Neglect
This does not mean you can neglect your donkey’s feeding but rather that you must be attentive to its needs and good health.
Some Criteria for Good Nutritional Health
Observing your donkey often helps detect problems early. Knowing its behavior, habits, and reactions well is key.
Observation is even more important in herds since donkeys are very sensitive to changes.
They can lose weight or develop dull coats after a change in situation (isolation, introduction of a new donkey, or a change in herd hierarchy).
Smooth and shiny in summer, soft and thick in winter. Skin problems can stem from dietary imbalance (hair loss, some mange, eczema).
HoovesThe hoof horn should be hard and smooth.
FatFat should be well distributed. Excess fat tends to be on the neck and back. Lack of fat shows quickly on the ribs and hips.
Choosing the Donkey’s Food
The donkey’s basic food is grass; its digestive system is designed to absorb grass.
Grass but Not Only
At Pasture
At pasture and at rest, a donkey needs about 1 hectare to feed year-round, depending on the region and grass quality.
It is essential to divide the pasture into sections to allow the land to rest and the grass to regrow properly.
Hay
Hay is given to replace or complement grass.
Good quality hay is fairly green, contains all its flowers and seeds, and smells fresh. As a basic feed, about 4 to 5 kg per day is needed.
Straw
Straw can be given in several cases and is never harmful to the donkey’s health, but it is very low in nutrients.
It can be used to supplement a diet poor in cellulose (which donkeys need a lot of).
Or to dry off a jennet (in which case she will have nothing else to eat and little to drink for about 3 days. This diet must not be introduced abruptly, and extra care for the udders is often necessary).
It can be useful in very cold weather, given between meals to keep the digestive system working and thus maintain body heat.
Cereals
Barley, bran, corn, oats, oil cakes; wheat is not recommended and is not much appreciated by donkeys.
Grains may be whole, in which case it’s better to soak them overnight before feeding to improve digestibility, or flattened, crushed, or ground, in which case it’s advisable to moisten them to avoid the donkey inhaling too much dust.
These cereals each have their properties and are mainly given as energy supplements during work periods, for jennets late in pregnancy or lactating, or to "put weight back" on a donkey that has lost too much.
Quantities are up to the breeder’s discretion. As a guide, 500 g of barley per day can be given to a lactating jennet lacking milk, very thin or deficient. Be careful with excesses.
Complete Horse Feeds
These can be used but are expensive and not very suitable for donkeys. There are several types, and dosages are specific to each brand. Be sure to get good information before giving them. Beware of overfeeding.
Salt
Salt is very important because donkeys consume a lot of it. It is best to provide it freely.
It comes as salt blocks, coarse salt, or in buckets, sometimes enriched with minerals and trace elements. These are not always necessary but can be given as cures during winter or lactation periods.
Water
Obviously, water should be available freely. It must be very clean. Donkeys are frugal but still drink about 10 liters per day.
- A donkey needs about 1 hectare to feed year-round.
- Pastures should be divided to allow grass to regrow.
- Hay (4 to 5 kg/day) replaces or complements grass; it should be green, fragrant, with flowers and seeds.
- Alfalfa and clover (500 g to 1 kg/day) compensate for poor hay or help pregnant/lactating jennets.
- Straw is low in nutrients but useful for cellulose, drying off a jennet, or cold weather.
- Cereals (barley, bran, corn, oats) are energy supplements to be given soaked or moistened; avoid wheat.
- Horse feeds are expensive and not well adapted.
- Salt is essential, should be freely available, with minerals given in cures if necessary.
- A donkey drinks about 10 L of clean water per day, available freely.
RATIONS FOR A 200 KG DONKEY WITHOUT PASTURE
Adjusting Meal Distribution
A donkey at pasture eats throughout the day, so meal distribution should consider this. If fed only once a day, the donkey will gorge and digest poorly, extracting less benefit from food. It is therefore advisable to feed at least twice a day, and more often in very cold weather.
Tips for Getting Started
Do you have a donkey? Thinking about adopting one?
You probably have lots of questions — and that’s great! A donkey specialist near you can help, advise, and organize a hike to familiarize you with donkeys and discover all their skills and habits.
- For a donkey that needs to regain condition:
500 g barley + 6 kg hay + water + salt - For a lactating jennet lacking milk:
500 g barley + 6 kg hay + water + salt - For a healthy donkey working intensively several hours per day over a LONG period (e.g., logging):
500 g barley + 5 kg hay + water + salt