Everything Hay Guide for Donkeys

As donkey owners, hay is a critical component of your donkey’s diet. However, choosing the right type of hay, understanding hay quality, and sourcing hay can be complex and overwhelming. This guide aims to provide a comprehensive overview of everything you need to know about hay for donkeys, including different types of hay, hay quality, sourcing hay, and what to do during a hay shortage.

Types of Hay for Donkeys

When it comes to feeding hay to donkeys, there are several options to consider:

Grass Hay: Grass hay, such as timothy, orchard grass, or brome, is a suitable option for donkeys. It is high in fiber, which is essential for proper digestion and gut health and is the recommended option for healthy donkeys.
Legume Hay: Legume hay, such as alfalfa or clover, is higher in protein and energy than grass hay. It is too high in protein for donkeys and is not recommended, as the excessive protein and energy can lead to weight gain and other health issues.
Mixed Hay: Mixed hay blends different types of grasses or legumes to provide a balanced diet for equines, but is typically still too rich for donkeys if the legume portion is high. It’s better to be safe and stick with just grass hay.
Straw: Straw is not a suitable primary feed for donkeys, as it is too low in nutrients. However, it can be used as bedding or as a source of roughage if supplemented with other feeds.

Types of Grass Hay Found in the United States

When it comes to feeding grass hay to donkeys in the United States, there are several common types of grass hay that you may encounter. Each type has its own characteristics and nutritional profile, making it important to understand the differences when selecting hay for your donkey.

Timothy Hay: Timothy hay is one of the most popular types of grass hay for equines in the United States. It is known for its high fiber content and relatively low protein levels, making it an ideal choice for donkeys that require a diet low in protein and energy. Timothy hay is often recommended for overweight or insulin-resistant donkeys due to its low sugar content.
Orchard Grass: Orchard grass is another common grass hay that is similar to timothy in terms of its fiber content and protein levels. However, orchard grass is known for its softer texture and slightly sweeter taste, making it a palatable option for picky eaters. Orchard grass is a good choice for donkeys that need a high-fiber diet but may require a more palatable option than timothy hay.
Brome Hay: Brome hay is a type of grass hay that is known for its soft texture and high fiber content. It is often compared to timothy hay but may have slightly higher protein levels. Brome hay is a good option for donkeys that require a diet high in fiber but may benefit from the additional protein.
Bermuda Grass: Bermuda grass is a warm-season grass hay that is common in the southern United States. It is known for its high yield and drought tolerance, making it a popular choice for hay production in arid climates. Bermuda grass hay is typically lower in protein and higher in fiber compared to warm-season grasses like timothy and orchard grass which makes it ideal for donkeys. “Coastal” or “Tifton” hays are both types of Bermuda grass. Coastal is known to be very fine and can cause choke and impaction colics. Tifton is known to have thicker stems (stemmy) which may make it less palatable for donkeys.
Fescue Hay: Fescue hay is another common grass hay found in the United States. It is known for its hardiness and ability to withstand grazing pressure. Fescue hay can vary widely in quality depending on the variety and growing conditions, so it’s important to select high-quality fescue hay for your donkey. Fescue should not be fed to pregnant jennies in their last trimester.
Bluegrass Hay: Bluegrass hay is a cool-season grass hay that is commonly found in the northern United States. It is known for its fine texture and palatability, making it a good choice for picky eaters. Bluegrass hay is typically higher in protein and lower in fiber compared to other grass hays, so it would not be our first choice for donkeys.

Selecting the Right Grass Hay for Your Donkey

When selecting grass hay for your donkey, it’s important to consider their nutritional needs, age, weight, and overall health. Working with a veterinarian or equine nutritionist can help you determine the best type of grass hay for your donkey’s specific needs. Additionally, conducting a hay analysis can provide valuable information about the nutrient content of the hay, allowing you to make informed decisions about supplementation if needed.

Hay Quality

The quality of hay is crucial for the health and well-being of your donkey. Good quality hay should be:

Fresh: Hay should be free from mold, dust, and other contaminants.
Leafy: A high leaf-to-stem ratio indicates good quality hay.
Free from weeds: Hay should not contain toxic or harmful weeds.
Smell: Hay should have a fresh, sweet smell.

If you hear of hay referred to as “cow” hay, it simply means the quality is not appropriate for equines. Stay away from anything labeled as cow hay or junk hay.

Sourcing Hay for Donkeys

Finding a reliable source of hay can be challenging, especially during times of hay shortage. Here are some tips for sourcing hay for your donkey:

Local Farmers: Local farmers and hay producers are often the best source of hay. They can provide fresh, high-quality hay and may offer delivery options. Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist may be good places to start looking. Ask everyone you know for referrals including vets, farriers, other farmers.

Feed Stores: Many feed stores carry hay, although the selection may be limited. Feed stores can be a convenient option for purchasing smaller quantities of hay. If your feed store doesn’t sell it, they may have a list of local hay providers.

Hay Auctions: Hay auctions can be a good place to find a variety of hay types. However, it’s important to inspect the hay before purchasing to ensure quality.

Online Suppliers / Hay Brokers: There are several online suppliers that sell hay and deliver it directly to your location. This can be a convenient option if local hay sources are limited.

Referrals: Check with local horse boarding stables or equine rescues. They have to have a reliable source of good hay and will typically be able to offer creative ideas if you are having trouble. We’ve even heard of a rescue offering a hay co-op for people who adopt horses from them.

Hay Supplies: Dealing with Shortages

Unfortunately, hay shortages can occur due to factors such as droughts, as seen in the western United States. During hay shortages, it’s best to buy a year’s supply in the early spring. You can also explore alternative options to ensure your donkey’s nutritional needs are met:

Packaged Compressed Hay Bales: These bales are convenient and can be purchased at farm supply stores. They are compressed to reduce storage space and can be a good option during hay shortages.
Hay Stretcher Pellets: Hay stretcher pellets are a concentrated source of fiber and can be used to supplement or replace hay in your donkey’s diet.
Bagged Chopped Forage: Bagged chopped forage is another alternative to hay that can be used to supplement your donkey’s diet. It is convenient and easy to store.
Senior Feed: Senior feed is designed for older animals that may have difficulty chewing hay. Look for lower fat and lower starch varieties for donkeys.
Good Quality Straw: Straw can help supplement the fiber donkeys need, but it should be supplemented with feed for nutritional value.
Allow Foraging: Donkeys are excellent browsers and can forage from trees and bushes. Providing a fenced area where they can forage can help supplement their diet during hay shortages.

Hay is a crucial part of a donkey’s diet, providing essential nutrients and fiber for optimal health. Understanding the different types of hay, hay quality, and sourcing options can help you make informed decisions about feeding hay to your donkey.

June Sidebar:

Donkey Heath: Tick Borne Illness in Donkeys

We have seen an increase in tick borne illnesses in donkeys in the past year. Symptoms have included out of character behavior, donkeys that appear exhausted after light play, anemia (look for whitish gums) and large hematomas (sudden, large pockets of fluid) at the low point on the belly.

This onset of tick borne illness seems directly tied to our first feeding of spring hay, which typically happens around June. Ticks love long grass, so it’s natural that they would get bailed up with the spring cutting and survive long enough to feed on the donkeys eating that first spring hay. A topical pest control applied to your donkeys before the first spring hay is fed may help reduce the risk of tick borne illness.

Lymes, Erlicitis and other tick borne diseases are easy to test for, but it seems the results take a long time. Luckily, the treatment for tick borne illness – a common antibiotic – can be started while waiting for the results and is readily available. Your vet will need to evaluate your donkeys before making a recommendation – but in all of our cases, the antibiotic started working within a few days – and after the two week dose – the issues were all resolved.