Donkey Feeding During Maintenance, Pregnancy, and Lactation: Effects on Body Weight, Milk Production, and Foal Growth.
Abstract: We evaluated the daily intake in donkeys during maintenance, late pregnancy, and early lactation. The growth curves of the foals in the first eight weeks of life and the milk production in lactating jennies were also investigated. Donkeys were separated into two groups: seven pregnant jennies (group 1: pregnant/lactating) and seven nonpregnant, nonlactating jennies (group 2). The groups were fed two different diets each. The feeding period for group 1 covered eight weeks before parturition and eight weeks postpartum. Group 2 was managed during the same time period (16 weeks). Diet 1 consisted of ad libitum hay, which was fed to group 1 during late pregnancy and to group 2 from weeks 1-8. Diet 2 consisted of the same ad libitum hay supplemented with 2 kg/head/day of concentrate, which was fed to group 1 during lactation and to group 2 from weeks 9-16. The daily dry matter intake (diet 1) was 2.56 kg/100 kg of body weight (BW) for nonpregnant jennies and 31% lower in the pregnant donkeys. In the lactating jennies, the total dry matter intake was similar to the nonpregnant group fed diet 2. The nonpregnant jennies lost 1.9% of their initial BW when fed diet 1, whereas they gained 8.4% of their initial BW when fed with diet 2. A weight loss was also found in the lactating donkeys. The foals more than doubled in their birth weight within two months.
Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2020-05-22 PubMed ID: 32684269DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2020.103131Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research examined the daily food intake of donkeys during normal periods, late stages of pregnancy, and early stages of lactation. The study also observed the growth of foals in the first eight weeks of their lives, and the production of milk in lactating female donkeys (jennies). The researchers found that there were noticeable differences in body weight and food intake depending on the jennies’ stage of life and type of diet.
Experimental Design
- The experiment involved 14 donkeys which were divided into two groups: seven were pregnant (group 1) and seven were not pregnant nor lactating (group 2).
- They were fed two different diets over a period of 16 weeks. Group 1’s feeding period spanned eight weeks before giving birth and eight weeks afterwards. Group 2’s feeding was managed over an equivalent time frame.
- The first diet comprised of unlimited hay, which was given to group 1 during late pregnancy and to group 2 for the first eight weeks.
- The second diet was identical to the first but supplemented with a 2 kg daily serving of concentrate, provided to group 1 during lactation and group 2 for the remaining eight weeks.
Findings and Implications
- The daily dry matter intake (the first diet) was 2.56 kg per 100 kg of body weight in nonpregnant donkeys, and 31% less in the pregnant ones. During lactation, jennies’ total dry matter intake was similar to nonpregnant donkeys fed the second diet.
- Nonpregnant jennies lost 1.9% of their initial body weight when fed diet 1, but gained 8.4% when given diet 2. Lactating donkeys also experienced weight loss.
- Foals more than doubled their birth weight within two months.
- These results provide guidance for feeding and nutrition management of donkeys during different phases of their lives. It shows that jennies’ nutritional needs and body weight are significantly affected by their reproductive cycle, particularly during pregnancy and lactation. This information can inform feeding strategies to maintain the health and productivity of donkeys.
Cite This Article
APA
Salari F, Licitra R, Altomonte I, Martini M.
(2020).
Donkey Feeding During Maintenance, Pregnancy, and Lactation: Effects on Body Weight, Milk Production, and Foal Growth.
J Equine Vet Sci, 91, 103131.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2020.103131 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
- Interdepartmental Centre for Agricultural and Environmental Research "E. Avanzi", University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy. Electronic address: altomonte@vet.unipi.it.
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy; Interdepartmental Research Center Nutrafood "Nutraceuticals and Food for Health", University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Body Weight
- Equidae
- Female
- Horses
- Lactation
- Milk
- Pregnancy
- Pregnancy Maintenance
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