Donkeys are herbivores, with grass being their preferred food, but they adapt well to supplemented diets containing a good balance of energy and fibre. It is important to remember that higher quality feed will lead to a better performance! They should receive 2 feeds every 24 hours.
Drinking water is essential for donkeys and it is important that it should be available at all times whilst they are not working.
A suitable shelter should be provided for the donkey when not working and to sleep in at night. It should have shade from the sun and protection from wind and rain in order that they remain healthy animals.
Pregnant donkeys should not be worked after 8 months of their gestation period and until 3 months after giving birth.
Seek a qualified vet’s advice on the vaccinations your donkey requires. However, regular de-worming is important and can be carried out by the owner.
Working donkey’s feet need special care as they are critical for performance. They should be inspected regularly and treated immediately if necessary.
Donkeys that pull carts must have a properly fitted and well padded harness that does not put pressure on the spine or cut into their skin.
Donkeys should never be used to carry or pull loads before they are 3 years old, as their bones are still soft at this stage of their development. If worked earlier, permanent leg and back damage may result, causing suffering and the shortening of their overall, and working, life.
It is critical that a donkey is never overloaded! Firstly, it is very cruel, but you will also shorten its working life. Overworked donkeys may die at 10 years old, 20 years earlier than healthy individuals!
With regards to overloading; a small donkey (standing up to 102cm at the shoulder) should carry less than 50kg, a medium sized one (102– 112cm) 63kg and a large donkey (over 112cm), 76kg maximum.
Finally, beating a donkey is cruel and unnecessary and shows poor capability on the part of the driver. It can also lead to criminal prosecution!
REMEMBER! ALWAYS BE KIND TO YOUR DONKEY!
PREPRARED BY MAWO
No comments:
Post a Comment