Prevent your residents from accessing buildings and fences with old paint, as they may chew or lick these objects and ingest lead. For this reason, it is imperative that they do not come into contact with these poisons. My donkeys love teff and oat hay though in South Africa its seasonal its ususally one or the other =,they wont eat anything else Brenda Armitage 31/03/2012 at 07:47 We have a boarding and rehab barn in No Cal, and we have fed Teff exclusively for six years. Blood tests may confirm poisoning. Hay of that type can be fed free choice to both donkeys and goats. Grass hay is the number one feed choice for donkeys. But, on average, she says, teff can be grown so it’s lower in simple sugars and starch than other grasses. The safety of plants is… Sometimes, a possum may get into a food storage area and leave waste behind on hay that donkeys will eventually eat. Mycotoxins can affect donkeys through contaminated food or bedding. Ingesting feed contaminated with this protozoan may potentially put a donkey at risk of contracting EPM. The stems are slightly flattened, often tinged purple in color. Answer: I can't say that donkeys are better than horses, but that they are different and have their own special advantages (and disadvantages). Meadow Hay is a natural mix of grasses made from grass grown on old pasture and is suitable for feeding to donkeys. Donkeys come into contact with cantharidin by ingesting alfalfa ha… They're more economical, as they can (and should) eat lower-quality forage. In captivity, a donkey requires high-fiber foods, such as barley and hay, with only small amounts of low-fiber grasses. It has a deep root system. Hay bales of coastal Bermuda or another quality hay native to your region is preferred over alfalfa because alfalfa hay is too rich in protein. Also remember that low-carbohydrate does not mean low-calorie. For this reason, it is imperative that donkeys are not given treated plants or are allowed access to pastures that have been treated with herbicides. Yes, donkeys can eat alfalfa hay. If feeding very rich Bermuda grass hay, you may need to soak it in cold water for half an hour before presenting it. What To Feed Your Donkeys | The Donkey Sanctuary, Cantharidin Toxicosis From Blister Beetles In Horses | Today’s Veterinary Nurse, Is There Lead In Your Pasture? Donkeys eat dry matter and fibrous foods such as straw, hay, bark and shrubs. While rats and mice can pose challenges for sanctuaries, it is important to respect them and use, . Timothy is a good hay choice, so the mix should be fine. Grass-foundered equines move gingerly, like they’re walking on eggshells and are often unwilling to turn or move at all. The Sanctuary had to act quickly and with the help of a friend in the U.S., we created a Go Fund Me Campaign to try to raise the funds necessary to purchase a 40-foot container of Bermuda coastal grass hay and wheat straw for the donkeys. Having the soil tested at your sanctuary is an easy way to learn if the environment is safe for residents. It's not their favorite but they will eat it. Donkeys that ingest a massive amount of toxin may show signs of severe shock, and unfortunately, die within hours. and not too much chaff as this can lead to impaction. These would include Bermuda grass hay, Bahia grass hay as well as Teff Hay. Hay should be of horse quality, meaning it should be kept indoors out of bad weather and it should not be moldy or dusty when cut open. While you may think horses and donkeys are alike, there are some important differences. Donkeys enjoy foraging and they are mostly pretty good at finding the nutrients they need. For this reason, they shouldn’t be fed exactly like horses as it isn’t best for them. I would test Teff hay to make sure it is safe. | Of Horse, Animal Friendly Barn And Fence Paint For Horse Stalls | Stuff For Petz, Plants Toxic To Horses | PennState Extension (Non-Compassionate Source), Don’t Give Cattle Feed To Horses! The seed heads are produced in a cluster of 3-7 spikes (rarely 2) together at the top of the stem, each spike 2 inches long. Donkeys kept indoors require a floor-level feed bin or corner-floor feeder placed so that feed cannot get soiled. It may not come as a surprise that herbicides and rodenticides can cause toxicosis in donkeys if ingested. Donkeys come into contact with cantharidin by ingesting alfalfa hay that has been infested by blister beetles. In Australia, Rhodes is a common grass for equines, with 9-15% protein and an average of 10 MJ/kg DE. 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