A comparison between the digestibility of hay by donkeys and ponies.

The research article investigates the digestibility differences in two types of hay between donkeys and ponies, concluding that donkeys generally digest materials better, especially high-quality hay.

Objective of the Research

The paper is aimed at understanding how donkeys, a crucial part of the rural domestic economy in the Mediterranean area, digest two types of cocksfoot alfalfa hay compared to ponies. The ultimate goal is to gather more information about the digestive systems of donkeys and ponies to improve their diet management.

Methodology

• The study involved three adult male donkeys and three adult male ponies, with weights of 250 kg and 180 kg respectively.
• The animals were given two types of hay with varied compositions of crude protein and dry matter.
• The animals underwent a 15-day adaptation period where they ate as needed, followed by a 6-day period of measuring their digestibility. Afterward, a new adaptation period was introduced where the food quantities were limited, followed by another 6-day digestibility measuring period.

Results

• The study revealed that donkeys tended to digest dry matter, organic matter, and nitrogen better than ponies.
• Also, feed refusal by donkeys contained more cellulose and less nitrogen compared to ponies’ refusal.
• The variability of results was lower for donkeys when they were fed good quality hay, indicating a consistent digestive mechanism.

Comparison to Previous Research

The findings of this study align with the observations made by previous researchers (Wolter and Velancia in 1970, and Merritt and Pearson in 1949). However, the authors of the current study call for more research to confirm these results. They suggest that understanding donkeys’ digestive systems can help maximize their utility in the rural domestic economy, particularly where feed quality varies.