Donkey Nutrition and Feeding Strategies

Donkeys and mules differ from other equine in their digestive physiology and nutritional adaptations. Although they are closely related, their efficiency in digesting high-fiber and low-quality forage, their tolerance to dehydration, and their shorter gastrointestinal transit times are unique compared to horses. These characteristics render donkeys extremely well adapted to desert and marginal conditions. Donkeys can live on low-protein, low-energy roughage, attesting to their evolutionary background. Overfeeding, especially carbohydrates and proteins, however, is an issue in non-working animals and can cause obesity and metabolic disease.This chapter will be structured as follows, to give a detailed explanation of donkey nutrition at various physiological stages:1.General Nutrition and Feeding StrategiesOptimal feeding strategies are examined to ensure welfare, with consideration of adjustments by body condition score, fatty neck score, and body weight. 2.Nutritional Requirements and Diet CompositionThe fundamental nutritional requirements of foals, growing donkeys, maintenance donkeys, pregnant jennies, working donkeys, and lactating donkeys are presented. Emphasis is placed on a balanced diet in terms of energy and protein, rich in fiber, minerals, and vitamins, for maintaining overall health and physiological functions. Suitable feedstuffs, including forage (hay, haylage, and pasture), and concentrates are described, with an emphasis on the importance of good-quality forage and correct mineral-vitamin supplementation to address possible nutritional deficiencies, and avoiding, whenever possible, the use of cereal concentrates. 3.Health implications and Clinical nutrition of DonkeysOptimum nutrition is directly correlated with enhanced immune status, decreased incidence of disease, and improved reproductive performance. The chapter covers the clinical nutrition aspect, connecting nutritional approaches to the prevention of prevalent disorders and advocating for prime health outcomes.