Donkey nutrition differs from one animal to the next, based on their age and health needs.
Donkeys browse in their natural habitat, eating little amounts of very fibrous plant material throughout the day.
Even during the winter months, donkeys with year-round access to grass will not require much hay.
Grain now accounts for a major amount of a donkey’s diet. Oats, barley, and corn are the most often fed grains.
What are the health benefits of oats to donkeys
Oats are one of the healthiest grains on the planet.
They are a gluten-free whole grain with high vitamin, mineral, fibre, and antioxidant content.
According to studies, oatmeal and oats have several health benefits.
Take a look at these advantages.
1. Oatmeal Is Extremely Nutritious
Oats provide a well-balanced nutritional profile.
They’re high in carbs and fibre, especially beta-glucan fibre, which has a lot of power.
They’re also heavier in protein and fat than most grains.
Oats are a good source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidant plant components. A half-cup of dry oats (78 grams) includes
Manganese, Phosphorus, and Magnesium account for 34% of the total. Copper, iron, zinc, folate, vitamin B1 (thiamin), and vitamin B5 are all important minerals (pantothenic acid), Calcium, potassium, vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), and vitamin B3 levels are lower (niacin)
This offers 51 grams of carbohydrates, 13 grams of protein, 5 grams of fat, and 8 grams of fibre, yet just 303 calories.
Oats, as a result, are one of the most nutrient-dense foods on the market.
Oats are high in carbs, fibre, and protein but low in fat and protein compared to most other grains.
They’re loaded with nutrients including vitamins and minerals, too.
Related: Here is an article I wrote on can donkeys suffer from colic
2. Oats contain Beta-Glucan, a powerful soluble fiber.
Oats contain a lot of beta-glucan, a form of soluble fibre.
Beta-glucan partially dissolves in water in the colon and forms a thick, gel-like material.
Some of the health benefits of beta-glucan fibre are as follows:
The levels of LDL and total cholesterol are lower.
Insulin sensitivity and blood sugar levels are reduced.
Increased feeling of fullness.
Increased proliferation of beneficial bacteria in the intestines.
Beta-glucan, a soluble fibre with a variety of health benefits, is prevalent in oats.
It helps you feel fuller by lowering cholesterol and blood sugar levels, as well as supporting beneficial gut bacteria.
3. Oats ground to a fine powder may be beneficial for skincare.
Oats are high in beta-glucan, a soluble fibre found in abundance in oats.
In the colon, beta-glucan partially dissolves in water to form a thick, gel-like substance.
Some of the health benefits of beta-glucan fibre are as follows:
The levels of LDL and total cholesterol are lower.
Insulin sensitivity and blood sugar levels are reduced.
Increased feeling of fullness.
The proliferation of helpful bacteria in the intestines has increased.
Beta-glucan, a soluble fibre with a variety of health benefits, is prevalent in oats.
It helps you feel fuller by lowering cholesterol and blood sugar levels, supporting beneficial gut bacteria, and lowering cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
4. Oats May Help Relieve Constipation
They’ve been related to weight loss and reduced quality of life, despite their effectiveness.
Oat bran, the fibre-rich outer layer of the grain, has been shown in studies to help reduce constipation in the elderly.
5. Nutrient Digestibility
De-hulling, crimping, rolling, or crushing oats can provide a little boost in nutrient digestibility. It only goes up a smidge.
Think about it: the next time you clean up stables, take a peek at a pile of your horse’s poop. Look closely.
Do you see any oats there? Some have made it to your horse’s intestines without giving him any nourishment.
Can baby donkeys eat oats?
The most popular and safe grain to feed donkeys is oats.
The fibre content of oats, which is around 13%, makes them a safe feed.
This means that oats have a higher volume per nutrient, therefore donkeys must consume more to meet their nutritional needs.
Yes, in that case. You can feed a mini oat, but sweet feed or pellets will suffice for most minis.
When feeding minis oats, you should give them about 2-3 cups per day, but if you’re switching to a new feed, start them off slowly with a mix.
Also check out this article I wrote on feeding donkeys with carrots
Can donkeys eat oatmeal?
Oats are the only cereal grain that can be fed to donkeys without being cooked out of all the cereal grains we can offer them.
In their small intestine, donkeys can digest a considerable part of the starch found in oats.
Can donkeys with ulcers eat oats?
When treating donkeys with ulcers, it’s crucial to use Lucerne hay or good quality grass instead of sweet feeds, barley, or oats whenever possible.
Instead, provide alfalfa to donkeys suffering from ulcers.
Because of its protein and calcium concentration, alfalfa is a superior buffer to acidity than other fibre sources, according to research.
Can donkeys eat oatmeal cookies?
Yes, they are capable. Donkeys love them baked into oatmeal cookies, even though they can be fed raw.
Things to keep in mind when feeding them oats?
1. Oats are high in phosphorus but low in calcium (about 0.3 per cent phosphorus and 0.07 per cent calcium), which might be a problem if the donkey’s diet lacks calcium and/or if the donkey is grazing on high oxalate pasture (e.g. Kikuyu, Setaria, or Buffel), which causes calcium insufficiency.
2. Excess phosphorus prevents calcium absorption. (As previously indicated, donkeys should have a calcium-to-phosphorus ratio of 1.5–2 parts calcium to one part phosphorus in their diet.)
A 500kg donkey that is not in work requires 14 grams of phosphorus and 20 grams of calcium per day, according to the National Research Council Nutrient Requirements for Donkeys publication (based on scientific research from throughout the world).
Conclusion
Finally, oats are one of the healthiest meals your donkey can consume.
Oats are a nutrient-dense food that is high in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
When compared to other cereals, they’re also high in fibre and protein.
The soluble fibre beta-glucan and antioxidants known as avenanthramides are two distinctive features of oats.
