Dairy Donkey Farming: Industry Development and Insight into Milk Composition and Quality

This chapter investigates the history, industry and importance of lactating donkeys and examines how their needs influence the quality of the milk. Key topics include:1.The dairy donkey industry: evolutions, breeds and geographical utilization. This subchapter examines how the global dairy donkey industry is expanding through breed specialization and regional adaptation, driven by rising demand for hypoallergenic, functional products despite low milk yields and market development. 2.Milk Composition and Quality: this subchapter examines the constituents of donkey milk, such as proteins, fats, lactose, vitamins, and minerals. It discusses how diet influences these components and consequently affects milk quality and the unique properties of donkey milk; its similarity to human milk and its hypoallergenic nature are highlighted.