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Donkeys and mules differ from other equine in their digestive physiology and nutritional adaptations. Although they are closely related, their efficiency in digesting high-fiber and low-quality forage, their tolerance to dehydration, and their shorter gastrointestinal transit times are unique compared to horses. These characteristics render donkeys extremely well adapted to desert and marginal conditions. Donkeys can live on low-protein, low-energy roughage, attesting to their evolutionary background. Overfeeding, especially carbohydrates and proteins, however, is an issue in non-working animals and can cause obesity and metabolic disease. This chapter will be structured as follows, to give a detailed explanation of donkey nutrition at various physiological stages:

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Donkey Nutrition and Feeding Strategies

  • 章节

  • 发表日期：

    2026年

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  • Tommaso Danese,
  • Federica Raspa,
  • Laura Cavallarin,
  • Marzia Giribaldi,
  • Emanuela Valle

摘要

Donkeys and mules differ from other equine in their digestive physiology and nutritional adaptations. Although they are closely related, their efficiency in digesting high-fiber and low-quality forage, their tolerance to dehydration, and their shorter gastrointestinal transit times are unique compared to horses. These characteristics render donkeys extremely well adapted to desert and marginal conditions. Donkeys can live on low-protein, low-energy roughage, attesting to their evolutionary background. Overfeeding, especially carbohydrates and proteins, however, is an issue in non-working animals and can cause obesity and metabolic disease. This chapter will be structured as follows, to give a detailed explanation of donkey nutrition at various physiological stages: