Last week we explained that “hay” is not a specific feed but rather better described as a process. This week we’re going to break down common types of hay produced for livestock, their nutrients, and what it all means for your long ears.
When selecting a hay type for your long ears there is a lot to consider, but keep in mind: nutrient dense feed requires less volume and donkeys are extremely efficient at processing nutrients from the feed they consume; and don’t forget straw is in a class of its own.
Hay can be broken down into two main types: legume or grass. Of course there are mixes of the two also available in nearly any combination of hay you can think of. Legume hay includes alfalfa and clover. When compared to grass hay, legumes are higher in protein, energy, calcium and vitamin A; ultimately they’re considered nutrient dense hay. Per pound legume hay offers more calories than grass hay.
Alfalfa is the most well known legume hay and one of the most common types of hay available in Arizona. Alfalfa hay has to be fed with some care because of its high calcium level in relation to phosphorus. It is known for a high protein content (ranges from 15% to 22%).
Donkey owners are typically counseled to not feed alfalfa hay. As with many feeding guidelines, it is slightly more nuanced than that: for the vast majority of domestic donkeys, their nutritional requirements are best met with grass hays and straw, while possibly including a ration balancer to fill in any nutritional gaps. However some owners may choose to safely include very small amounts of alfalfa in their animal’s diet, for instance when using occasional alfalfa or alfalfa blend pellets for a high reward training treat. Others may have been instructed by their vet to feed limited alfalfa as a portion of their animal’s ration if they are underweight, working particularly hard, in the latter stages of pregnancy or nursing, growing, or in especially cold climates. Owners who have obese animals (in the United States donkeys are MUCH more likely to be obese than underweight) or animals who are prone to metabolic disorders such as founder and laminitis should carefully avoid alfalfa altogether as it can exacerbate these issues.
Clover is another legume hay, though typically it is mixed with other hay types in a bale. Like alfalfa it has a high protein range, however, caution needs to be used with clover as it is prone to mold more than other hay and can cause excessive slobbering in some animals. Like alfalfa, donkey owners should likely avoid feeding clover unless they have been instructed to do so by their veterinarian as in most cases it is too nutritionally dense.
Grass hay includes bermuda, timothy, orchard, teff, brome, bluegrass, oat, rye, sudan, triticale, and fescue. Grass hays are less nutritionally dense than legumes, higher in fiber, and typically what is recommended for donkeys as a main part of their diet. However, not all of these grasses are suitable or safe for donkeys. Sudan, rye, and fescue are typically avoided as they can come with some dangers, which we will discuss next week.
The most common grass hay available in Arizona is bermuda. This grass grows extremely well in the Southwest and is most common for Arizona donkey owners to feed, alongside straw. It has a protein content generally around 6%-11%, and is generally low in sugars (non-structural carbohydrates, or NSCs)
Teff is also a popular choice, as teff grows well in the desert. Teff, being a warm season grass, will typically be lower in sugars and protein, similar to bermuda grass.
Timothy and orchard are readily available at many feed stores in pellets and compressed bales. These grasses are similarly low in protein, but as a cold season grass they will often be higher in sugars. Of course this means laminitic or animals with metabolic disorders should avoid these choices altogether, and limiting their consumption by healthy animals is generally the safest choice.
What do you do if warm weather grasses are difficult to come by in your area? You have a couple of options to mitigate the sugars that are present in cold weather grasses, but as always, if you are unsure about feeding a particular hay you should consult with your vet:
Slow feed hay nets: The slower your animal eats, the better, so all the sugars aren’t hitting their system at once. Slow feed nets, such as those on haypillow.com allow for meal time to become an activity that lasts significantly longer than feeding loose hay. You may also choose to mix your hay with straw, either in the nets or loose. Your donkeys will either eat the two forages at once, balancing the high sugars in your hay with the low sugar straw, or they will slow down as they search through the straw to pick out pieces of hay. Much like you do eating M&Ms out of your trail mix.
Soaking: submerging your hay in water and leaving it to soak for 30 minutes to two hours, followed by pouring off and discarding the water (your plants may enjoy it), can reduce the sugar content of your hay further. Take caution to not feed soaked hay over sand, as it will cause your donkey to eat sand-coated hay that falls to the ground. If you have a metabolic or laminitic donkey and soaking your hay has been recommended, consider purchasing a stall mat on which to feed. Take care that it is placed in the shade, as afternoon summer sun can cause the black rubber to become too hot for your animal to comfortably stand on.