FlatCreekFarm
Well-Known Member
My two new girls seem to be doing well, but I'm wondering if I'm doing this feeding thing even halfway right
: That's just me to doubt myself, but since I've never done anything quite like this before (only bottle calves) ~ want to check it out. Also, in all the reference material I have collected over the past couple years, I can't find anything on what amounts of grain to feed weanlings, or a schedule to follow. Keep in mind these little girls are only 4 months old.
The previous owner started them on sweet feed during the weaning process and that is what they were on when I picked them up (I know sweet feed may not the best option, but... that's what we have to deal with right now). He told me they were getting about a big coffee can full total per day (divided between the two). I want to eventually take them off the sweet feed but I'm afraid that would be too big of a change right now after everything else. I'm dividing that "coffee can" of feed up into something like this throughout the day (for two):
7 A.M. - about 1/3 of the "coffee can" full
7 P.M. - about 1/3 of the can full
Two other feedings during the day I divide up the other 1/3 for them in small "snacks".
They also get some grass during the day.
They are eating well, sometimes leave a little bit and come back for it later. Manure is mostly firm, occasionally slightly loose (thinking this could be mainly from the big changes - move, etc.). On Ruby, I can feel some ribs but it isn't anything that concerns me much yet as she seems to feel good, and she doesn't have a malnourished appearance. She certainly eats good, as does Gracie. Sometimes when they bray I wonder if they're still hungry?
Am I close to doing this right? Or, would you say, if it ain't broke don't fix it? Maybe this is just new-mom worried-ness?
: Any suggestions or your personal experiences would be greatly appreciated!
The previous owner started them on sweet feed during the weaning process and that is what they were on when I picked them up (I know sweet feed may not the best option, but... that's what we have to deal with right now). He told me they were getting about a big coffee can full total per day (divided between the two). I want to eventually take them off the sweet feed but I'm afraid that would be too big of a change right now after everything else. I'm dividing that "coffee can" of feed up into something like this throughout the day (for two):
7 A.M. - about 1/3 of the "coffee can" full
7 P.M. - about 1/3 of the can full
Two other feedings during the day I divide up the other 1/3 for them in small "snacks".
They also get some grass during the day.
They are eating well, sometimes leave a little bit and come back for it later. Manure is mostly firm, occasionally slightly loose (thinking this could be mainly from the big changes - move, etc.). On Ruby, I can feel some ribs but it isn't anything that concerns me much yet as she seems to feel good, and she doesn't have a malnourished appearance. She certainly eats good, as does Gracie. Sometimes when they bray I wonder if they're still hungry?
Am I close to doing this right? Or, would you say, if it ain't broke don't fix it? Maybe this is just new-mom worried-ness?
. A one pound one would be good. :bgrin I feed my weanlings about a cup in the morning and a half cup to one cup in the evening,(it depends upon the size of the weanling) plus they have a good quality grassy hay available to them all the time, along with a white, a mineral, and a selenium lick, and fresh water. Donkeys are very easy keepers, but weanlings do need the little extra for growing nutritional needs. Your probably going to find out everyone has there own idea on this, but I will tell you what I feed mine. I use Nutrena Youth, its a 16% feed, which is very high for donkeys,but its also a youth feed formulated for the growing stage. You should be feeding your weanlings anywhere from 0.5 to about 1.25 lb of feed per 100 lbs of body weight. So your going to have to guess-amate there weight and go from there. (or use a barn scale or tape) but I have never fed more then 2 cups a day to any of my weanlings.This depends upon the foal too, some only get 1 1/2 cup a day. I split that into 2 feedings, half in the morning and the rest at night. Dont feed them in excess of there body weight. I like the neutrena feeds because its carried by all of our feed mills so its easy for me to get, plus it has the enhanced selenium and vitamin E in it to support the immune response. I have never had any problems feeding it. Purina also has a "youth type" out that I am sure would work just as good, but I just prefer the neutrena for my weanlings. Weanlings dont really need ANY grain, but I do give them a little for all the extra growing needs at this stage. Feeding a donkey really isnt that complicated, its just alot of times new owners want to be so good to there furbabies, that they do more harm then good with feed. So all you need to really remember is a donkey dont need grain, but it is OK to feed weanlings to help with there growing stage, just dont overdo it. 1/2 to 1 cup in the morning and about the same at night is the most I would ever feed any of mine. :bgrin this is what has worked very good for me. Hope this has helped you a little bit. Corinne
