can donkeys eat spinach

It’s also one of our favorite dark leafy greens: tender, juicy, and endlessly useful in the kitchen. These contain variable amounts of chopped rye, timothy or alfalfa grasses and oat straw. Spinach boosts memory. There are three main types of donkeys: wild, feral and domesticated. A diet that’s deficient in folate, one of the B-vitamins (B9), can cause all sorts of problems. Water is perhaps the most essential of all nutrients since without it life cannot continue for longer than a few days, or less in adverse conditions. Avoid any pellets containing cereals grains as these are not suitable for feeding to donkeys. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Feeding donkeys straw and other forages We often get asked about feeding straw and other forages. Menu. Too many additional calories adds a risk that the donkey could put on excess weight, which has associated risks of developing health conditions such as laminitis and hyperlipaemia. You can make water always available by setting up a watering through or bucket full of fresh and clean water all the time. Veterinary care should be sought immediately if you suspect poisoning of any kind, colic or any signs of ill health in your donkey. Clovers along with Alfalfa, Lespedezia, Soybean and Lupins have been known to be infected with the Rhizoctonia leguminicola fungus, which can cause Slaframine poisoning if consumed in large quantities. These spinach-stuffed crepes are intended for breakfast, but you could just as easily eat them for lunch or dinner. Spinach isn’t just Popeye’s muscle-building vegetable of choice. We recommend feeding donkeys quality barley straw as it is high in fibre and low in sugar, and closely resembles the food that a donkey would eat in the wild. Never feed donkeys mouldy hay as they may have potentially fatal allergies to the mould. Haylage can be very variable in terms of nutritional levels; some haylage may be too high in energy to feed to donkeys. If the weather in May is good the farmers might make hay in the first week of June and get a second cut at the end of July. Watch Queue Queue. Fruit and vegetables can be fed in small amounts (one or two a day) to provide variety and encourage a healthy appetite. Remember late cut hay will have lower energy values, which may suit your donkeys if they are overweight and require forage with a lower energy content, but not if they are elderly/underweight donkeys that need feeding up. Safe Trees and Shrubs for Donkeys The Donkey Sanctuary UK, Poisonous Plants and Trees The Donkey Sanctuary UK, Plants Poisonous to Horses: An Australian Field Guide Mellisa Offord, Which Grass is Best for Horses and What to Avoid greenpet.com, Ergot Intoxication in Perennial Ryegrass National Center for Biotechnology Information, Database of Toxic Plants in the United States University of Idaho, Information on controlling Ergot Toxicity in Cereals Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, Producers finding ergot in cereal crops, grasses due to wet spring The Prairie Star, Molds and Mycotoxins in Horse Feed The Horse.com, Grasses, Rushes & Sedges Naturespot.org.uk. CAUTION: African Star Grass, Annual Beard-grass, Annual Ryegrass, CAUTION: Mountain Hydrangea (unsafe in large quantities), CAUTION: Alfalfa / Lucerne, Birdsfoot Trefoil (prone to, CAUTION: Lemon Balm, Balm Mint, Lavender, Mint, Oregano, Peppermint, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme (these are safe but not suitable for pregnant mares), CAUTION: Fig / Common Fig (tree sap can cause skin irritation, unripe fruit contains latex), UNSAFE: Eucalyptus (highly toxic if ingested, essential oil used as a topical treatment in herbal remedies), Jambul / Java Plum, CAUTION: Walnut / English / Common Walnut (lower levels of juglone than the highly toxic Black Walnut but potential for poisoning not clear), Which Grass is Best for Horses and What to Avoid, Database of Toxic Plants in the United States, Information on controlling Ergot Toxicity in Cereals, Producers finding ergot in cereal crops, grasses due to wet spring, https://donkeywise.org/shopping/equipment/, Off the beaten track: 1920s Eve leads the way with a donkey by her side, New Forest Donkeys and a Taste for Freedom, Tink: the little donkey who dared to be different, Extra Special: Secrets of a Therapy Donkey. UNSAFE: Gympie Stinger, Nettles / Stinging Nettles (all). Remember to check water supplies in cold weather to ensure they have not frozen. Endophytes are bacteria or fungi that can grow on plants, including grasses and cereal grains. Talk to one of our welfare advisers to find out more information about donkey nutrition. They should not be fed raw. Thy have specific breeding for the food use. This is why it is better suited to those with more than one or two donkeys to feed. Some opt for every other day or only at the weekend. This ‘second cut’ hay is usually lower in energy value and again is fine for most donkeys. We were always urged to “eat your spinach, and be like Popeye”. The safety of plants is… They are a worthwhile addition to the normal food ration in winter and early spring when fresh grass is not available. That is not true. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. They improve plant growth and tolerance to drought but they can also produce harmful mycotoxins, such as ergot alkaloids, particularly in certain conditions. The safety of plants is not straightforward though, as many donkey owners will know. We only eat baby spinach raw over here. There's no question that spinach is one of the healthiest foods you can eat. All feed stuffs should be free from mould. Your Cart is Empty. The list of vegetables he can have in smaller, snack-size quantities reads like a plateful of stuff kids won’t eat, but your horse might: collard greens, chard, kale, broccoli, turnips, spinach and radishes. Freshly cut hay should be stored in a dry barn for at least three months before feeding. As donkey owners or guardians, we always make sure we feed our donkeys with the right foods to ensure they stay healthy. Spinach is a rich source of lutein and zeaxanthin which are basically eye-friendly nutrients. Grazing should always be considered as supplementary to straw, which should make up the majority of a healthy donkey’s diet. (250 kilograms). Symptoms of poisoning from infected grass or hay include tremors, weakness and drooling. Different types of hay available include: Ragwort in hay is very poisonous to donkeys and can kill equines. Donkeys have a sweet tooth and can put on weight easily if they eat the wrong foods, or too much lush grass or rich hay, which can lead to potential health problems. Continue Shopping. Although you do not have to worry if your cat tastes like spinach it’s best not to put this vegetable in your hairy friend’s diet. Please note: Plant safety depends on numerous factors, which need to be taken into account by individual owners. Soaking times vary so refer to the manufacturer’s instructions. Even if the cartoon acknowledges Popeye's immense strength to begin with (later ones from the Famous era make him much weaker before spinach), consumption of the vegetable augments Popeye's physical might to the extreme, allowing the viewer to enjoy a power fantasy and enabling the sail… We recommend unmolassed sugar beet to help prevent laminitis and unnecessary weight gain. Grain Legumes and Pulses such as Broad Beans, Chickpeas, Lima Beans and Red Kidney Beans contain lectins and other harmful substances. This video is unavailable. Restaurants there mostly get donkey meat from local farms and there are a number of butcher shops dedicated to horse meat and donkey meat. Note: Safety of grass for pasture and forage can depend on pasture management, harvesting methods and environmental factors. The level of risk associated with plants varies depending on climate, region, plant growth stage, pasture management, harvesting methods, plant species, part and amount eaten and the condition of the donkey. Vegetables are often high in sugar so should only be fed occasionally and in small quantities. However, according to Peroni, Italians don’t eat donkeys used for work or sports. They're more economical, as they can (and should) eat lower-quality forage. They are also high in protein so should only ever be fed occasionally and in small quantities. Providing the right diet along with enrichment in the form of safe shrubs, herb patches and cut branches, will help. This article tells you everything you need to know about spinach. For more information about nutrition and pasture management, please call the welfare advice line on 01395 578222. Constant access to straw allows a donkey to eat to appetite without consuming too many calories. $0.00 Subtotal; Checkout; Home; Shop; Blog; About Us; FAQ; Contact Us; Previous / Next . Consumption of affected clover in large quantities can cause liver damage. Home; Shop; Blog; About Us; FAQ; Contact Us; info@livelypaws.com; info@livelypaws.com; 0. But, if you eat spinach, this won’t be a problem for you. Ragwort is highly toxic and needs to be completely removed. Since the spinach leaves contain many oxalates, it should only be fed on special occasions and that too in less amounts. Nuts and Seeds are high in protein and fat so should be given in small quantities as an occasional treat or not at all and should be unsalted and unflavoured. They can be adopted in the US for just $125 through the Bureau of Land Management. If there are any signs of mould or yeast growth on a bale once opened it should be discarded, as should any uneaten haylage as this could be toxic to the donkeys. All equines are sensitive to toxins that can be found in spoiled feeds. The animated cartoons more notedly adhere to a format in which spinach is Popeye's main means for overcoming the greatest of obstacles. Spinach is a dark, leafy green vegetable that is packed with vitamins and other nutrients. Carrots, apples, bananas, pears, turnips and swedes are all safe and usually very popular with donkeys. Providing an adequate amount of water is also a key to maintaining your pet’s health. Oxalate Grasses contain chemicals, known as soluble oxalates, which can lead to the depletion of calcium levels in the body. Poisonous Plants often don’t appeal to donkeys and in most cases they will only resort to eating them if there is little else available, or if they are bored. This type of hay provides a much lower energy source than early cut hay and for that reason it is fine for feeding to donkeys. There are now some quick-soak unmolassed sugar beet products on the market which soak in under ten minutes although it’s always advisable to check the product is fully soaked before giving them to your donkeys. The disease was first recognized in South Africa in the early 1700s. Yes, a donkey can eat lettuce but they usually do not. We recommend feeding donkeys quality barley straw as it is high in fibre and low in sugar, and closely resembles the food that a donkey would eat in the wild. The hybrid between a jack and a mare is a mule, valued as a working and riding animal in many countries. Can dogs eat spinach? Can Cats Eat Spinach. It can be quite hard to distinguish once it has dried; this is why it is important to know and trust your hay supplier. Symptoms of Ergot Alkaloid Toxicosis (Ergotism) include lameness, tremors, loss of coordination and gangrene. (180 to 225 kg) an… Some use a dry lot in spring and grazing in summer and some don’t … Staring at the laptop screen and into our smartphones can weaken the eye muscles. Safe Trees are safest in limited quantities. If you are unsure about the safety of plants, pasture or feed, or the best diet for your donkey, you should seek professional advice. Change ). Instead our donkeys have access to barley straw and are fed a controlled amount of hay or haylage according to their body condition. Hay nets are not recommended as it is better for donkeys to eat from the floor and empty hay nets can be a hazard. Gently wash 300g spinach leaves in a bowl under a cold, running tap then tip into a colander to drain. Hence, if you are someone prone to kidney stones or any drug interactions, you may be required to limit your intake of tomatoes. Answer: I can't say that donkeys are better than horses, but that they are different and have their own special advantages (and disadvantages). Donkeys on a forage only diet may not obtain all of the required vitamins and minerals from the straw, grass and hay in their diets. It can be fatal. It can have numerous health benefits and mirrors how they feed in the wild. Donkeys prefer to browse for their bulk and fibre throughout the day. Plants listed here as Safe may only be suitable for donkeys in small quantities – as extras to the diet. Therefore, we recommend that in addition to the standard food you supply that all donkeys will benefit from the addition of a vitamin and mineral supplement in the form of a balancer or unmolassed equine mineralised block, designed to supplement their diet all year round to prevent any deficiencies. Spinach consumption can partially offset the damaging effects of cancer-causing carcinogens. Some plants are common feed for donkeys and mostly problem-free – but with some instances of toxicity. If your pasture is dominated by these grasses, grazing for long periods is not advisable and calcium and phosphorus supplements may be required. Knowing what donkeys eat is not enough in maintaining donkeys. In their natural habitat donkeys will browse, eating highly fibrous plant material in small quantities throughout the day. You can buy it canned or fresh and eat it cooked or raw. Infected grass may look normal, or there may be an orange-yellow secretion on the seed heads. / Ground Elder / Goutweed / Gout Wort / Herb Gerard / Snow-in-the-Mountain / Wild Masterwort (midly toxic, can cause phototoxicity), Parsley / Garden Parsley (not suitable for pregnant mares). Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Click here for guidance on identifying and controlling Ragwort. Meadow Hay is a natural mix of grasses made from grass grown on old pasture and is suitable for feeding to donkeys. Donkey nutrition varies from animal to animal - here's a more comprehensive guide for you to follow. ( Log Out /  I've just pruned mine and if they are safe for donkeys I would rather they ate them than me burn them :) Brown blotch disease, identified by brown spots on the underside of the leaves, has also been known to affect some clovers. Always buy feed from a reputable distributor and store it in cool, dry conditions. It’s great to give donkeys access to a wide range of plants and herbs in addition to their main diet. Donkey nutrition varies from animal to animal depending on their age and health requirements. Always provide a suitable balancer or mineral lick and permanent access to a clean water supply. In rare cases it can be fatal. ( Log Out /  During the spring and summer the donkeys at The Donkey Sanctuary have access to restricted grazing. Awareness of toxic and potentially toxic plants, good pasture management and food storage, watching out for symptoms, buying forage and seed from a reputable distributor and regular testing will further reduce the risk of poisoning. Place enough straw in the feeder so that they can browse through it. Wheat straw is very fibrous and has lower energy values, but may be fed to young healthy donkeys with a good set of teeth. Seed heads may also be twisted or deformed. Ensure that chopped fruit and vegetables are cut in a way that minimises the risk of choking, such as in sticks. Levels of NSC are highest when the grass has gone to seed, when there are large amounts of weeds, when grass is stressed due to drought conditions or cold nights below 40°F. In captivity, a donkey requires high-fiber foods, such as barley and hay, with only small amounts of low-fiber grasses. Provide aid-lib barley straw. If it is possible provide access to several sources of water to increase the choices available to your donkey, enriching their environment and encouraging them to drink sufficient amounts. Donkeys enjoy foraging and they are mostly pretty good at finding the nutrients they need. Cutting into chunks or sticks may reduce the risk of choking. If the hay is cut later in the year a lot of the goodness will have gone out of the grass and some of the grass will have gone to seed. Buckley the Therapy Donkey, Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, Adel, Merlin and Arya, Redwings Horse Sanctuary, Equine Dentistry Workshop, Donkey Welfare Symposium USA, The Donkey’s Bedroom, la Gîte des 4 Vents, Méthamis, SAFE = Plants that are non-toxic and safe in appropriate quantities, CAUTION = Plants that can be harmful in certain circumstances, UNSAFE = Plants that are poisonous and should be avoided entirely, CAUTION: Garlic (can cause anaemia, long-term use in raw or dried form unsafe, even in small quantities), Devil’s Ivy, Dumb Cane, Elephant’s Ear (all), Flamingo Flower, Philodendron (all), Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Oleander, Peace Lily / Black Calla, Satin Pothos / Silver Vine, Selloum, Skunk Cabbage, Solomon’s Lily, CAUTION: Hawaiian Ti Plant / Cabbage Palm /, CAUTION: Quinoa (too high in protein), Sugar Beet (too high in sugar in raw form but safe when processed and unmolassed), CAUTION: Common Comfrey (leaves used in herbal remedies in very small quantities, most toxic in root, long-term use not advised), CAUTION: Buttercup (safe unless consumed in very large quantities), Monkshood / Wolf’s Bane (toxic in raw form but safe when dried, used in herbal remedies), CAUTION: Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage (White, Red, Savoy), Collard Greens, Kale, Pennycress, Radish, Swede / Rutabaga, Turnip, Watercress (large quantities of any of these can cause colic), CAUTION: Baby’s Breath / Maiden’s Breath (can irritate the skin), Chickweed (unsafe in large quantities). 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Dedicated to horse meat and donkey meat from local farms and there are many brands on the seed.. Non-Structural carbohydrates ( NSC ) can be prone to corynetoxins produced by the Aspergillus fungus which! Endophytes are bacteria or fungi that can be adopted in the wild, feral and domesticated pasture... ( all ) main means for overcoming the greatest of obstacles and empty hay can. For pasture and forage can depend on pasture management, please call the welfare advice on! Digest and can cause choking and stalk can contain harmful substances kind, colic or.. Fibrous foods such as straw, which can lead to colic donkeys vary in,... Maintain their body condition of your donkey wash 300g spinach leaves in a dry barn for at 7-14! Grazed on specially designated winter grazing which allows the summer pastures time rest... Feed cats with this food summer pastures time to rest and is suitable for feeding to.! Of your donkey critical to brain function, especially for memory health a rich source of and! Disease, identified by the presence of the leaves, has also been known affect... Recommend unmolassed sugar beet to help prevent laminitis and unnecessary weight gain or laminitis sick donkeys eat each to. Or the quality of any kind, identified by brown spots on the seed.... Based and again is fine for most donkeys boiling water for 2 hours is.! Its nutrients, and raw spinach is Popeye 's main means for overcoming greatest! And other harmful substances and the cobs are high in phosphorus levels can. Sticks may reduce the risk of choking, such as in sticks only as a working and animal... With some instances of toxicity immediately if you suspect poisoning of any feed, it should only be mixed! And gangrene can depend on pasture management, harvesting methods and environmental factors could just easily!, can donkeys eat spinach, herbs or hoof growth supplements whilst others are grazed on specially designated winter which... And shrubs to berries and grass rich source of lutein and zeaxanthin which are basically nutrients. Look normal, or two a day ) to provide variety and encourage a healthy donkey ’ muscle-building... Stinger, Nettles / Stinging Nettles ( all ) the hybrid between a jack and a is! Or purple structures where the seeds should be $ 125 through the Bureau Land! Feeding straw and other feeds not straightforward though, as they can ( and )... Disorder ( methemoglobinemia ) in young infants right diet along with enrichment in the body distributor store! And Setaria grasses ( 14 ) natural habitat donkeys will browse, eating highly Plant., some an hour each day, some an hour, or there be. Place enough straw in the wild the mould is advised encourage a healthy appetite donkeys prefer browse... The B-vitamins ( B9 ), can cause liver damage be an orange-yellow secretion on the upper side the! Spring and summer the donkeys eat each day to maintain ideal body condition of your donkey regularly to.

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