BUYING AND FEEDING - ONE DONKEY OR TWO????                                             

              Considering adopting or buying your first donkey?    One question that might

come to mind is should you get one donkey or two?   First consider this, a donkey is a

herd animal.   They don’t speak “horse”, nor do they speak “goat”.   Although your horse

might benefit from some company (if you only have one horse), also think about their

individual dietary requirements.    Since most donkeys are much smaller than a horse,

they eat considerably less.  It’s difficult at best to feed a horse and donkey together.  The

horse usually eats a higher protein hay, and sometimes grain.  They total feed intake is

larger than a donkey’s.   A donkey eats less than a horse, requires a lower protein hay, and

should not get grain.  

            When fed together, the horse eats his share, and ultimately, the donkey eats more

than his share.   Should the horse walk away without finishing his meal, the donkey usually

continues to eat.   The donkey also does not share the same metabolism as the horse. 

The horse will burn up more calories when exercising, the donkey is usually quite content

with just standing around…..and eating.   Multiply this sequence month after month, and

eventually year after year, and it’s no wonder the donkey gets fat.

           Occasionally there are also the donkeys who by their very nature, are at the bottom

of the pecking order when being stabled with horses.   In my experience, I’ve found most

horses are at the top of the pecking order, followed by mules, and at the bottom are the

donkeys.  If the animals are all fed in one place, the donkeys have to stand back and hope

the larger equines will leave them some food.   To some degree this prevents the donkeys

from overeating, but depending on how much hay is fed, sometimes either the horses

or mules get too much or the donkeys too little.    Owners of equines should learn to be

perceptive in many aspects.   Besides doing a visual check daily at every animal for injuries, 

one must also watch to see if any animals are getting shorted out of their meal, not interested

in their meal, or look depressed and are standing in a corner.   These are indications of a

potential problem that should be immediately addressed. 

          If you leave your donkey and other livestock in large pastures for 24 hours per day,

once again, most donkeys simply eat too much.   Although cattle, horses and farm animals

often do quite well on pasture, not all donkeys do.  Of course there are always exceptions,

depending on the quality of grass, time of year, size of pasture and the age and individual

metabolism of each animal.   Young donkeys (weanlings and yearlings) may need additional

supplements while they are growing, as well as elderly donkeys.   Some young mammoths

even tend to be a bit “ribby” when growing, where supplements are necessary.   If in doubt,

check with your local veterinarian for requirements in your particular area and to assess

your donkeys.

           Ideally a donkey should be fed separately from a horse and other livestock.  If that’s

the case with your donkey, one other factor to consider is the company your donkey will

desire.   If at all possible, two donkeys are much happier together.   One will find if they

purchase a donkey from a responsible breeder of donkeys, that most breeders (and even

some rescues) will refuse to sell just one donkey to an individual unless they already have

a donkey.    A donkey will yearn for another donkey companion and will become quite lonely,

and some indications will even show a depressed donkey.  

                Prior to purchasing or adopting a donkey, for the well-being of the donkey, buy two.

Your donkeys will thank you and feeding time is much simpler.

cw