28/06/2025
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It's a strange time of year for donkeys given their often crazy shedding patterns but a perfect time to evaluate their weight. Without all that hair, you can see their bodies better and determine if they are too fat, too skinny or just right.
Obese donkeys are not cute or funny. Do you see fat pads on their sides or hips? Look at body scales of what donkeys should look like and compare them to yours. They should not have horse shapes. Talk with your vet. Test your hay and make sure that it's low sugar. Get them off the grass. Stop feeding grain. Eliminate high sugar treats including fruit that can contribute to their extra weight. That extra weight makes them vulnerable to serious metabolic issues and can ruin their hooves. Loving donkeys means controlling their diet and managing their weight, especially in areas of the country where there is grass and where high sugar hay is often the norm.
Skinny donkeys are rare unless there is a problem. A skinny donkey is either seriously ill, full of parasites or significantly undernourished. Do you see their hip bones or are their shoulders pointy? Are their ribs showing? Some people think that donkeys don't need as much hay in hot weather. While it is true that they often eat less when it is very hot, provided that your hay is appropriate for donkeys (low sugar), you should NEVER find empty hay nets at the end of the day or in the morning. You should NEVER enter your barn and see that there is no leftover hay anywhere. They need to always have hay to pick at when they want it. Slow feeders are crucial for their health. Donkeys have strong digestive acids in their stomachs and if no forage is in there, serious damage can be done in a relatively short amount of time. Donkeys always get excited when new hay is served but not having enough hay available typically results in fighting when you fill their racks because, as they see it, their necessary resources are in short supply. While you fill their hay, if you hear squealing or there is kicking or biting within your donkey friends, they likely need to have more hay available. Hunger doesn't feel good to anyone.