Nutritional Requirement of Adult Donkeys (Equus asinus) during Work and Rest

Ram, Jag Jiwan; Padalkar, R. D.; Anuraja, B.; Hallikeri, R.C.; Deshmanya, J.B.; Neelkanthayya, G.; Sagar, V. Vidya

doi:10.1023/b:trop.0000026664.63287.a3

Cited by 9 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…CP intakes were also lower than NRC (1989) recommendations for both seasons despite low apparent digestibility. Comparison of these results with those from other studies is difficult due to the mixed ration fed here, although it is evident that the donkeys in this study had lower DM, DE and DCP intakes than those in previous studies (Pearson and Merritt 1991, Pearson et al 2001, Ram et al 2004.…”

Section: Body Weightcontrasting

confidence: 45%

“…The formation of feeding recommendations begins with the calculation of energy requirements for maintenance, as this is the value to which other nutrients are related. A number of studies have been carried out into the energy requirements of donkeys, although their focus has primarily been on the energy demands of working donkeys transporting loads over various distances and terrain (Yousef and Dill 1969, Pearson et al 2001, Ram et al 2004. Values for dry matter intake (DMI) and digestible energy (DE) intake by donkeys at rest are quoted in a number of studies (Pearson and Merritt 1991, Cuddeford et al 1995, Ram et al 2004) however these studies only observed small numbers of animals over short periods of time.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Seasonal variation of digestible energy requirements of mature donkeys in the UK

Wood¹,

Smith²,

Morris³

2005

PHK

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Section: Body Weightcontrasting

confidence: 45%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seasonal variation of digestible energy requirements of mature donkeys in the UK

Wood¹,

Smith²,

Morris³

2005

PHK

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“…Few studies have been conducted into the digestibility of di¡erent forages (Cuddeford et al, 1995;Agbagla-Dohnani et al, 2003), and little information exist on nutritional requirements of donkeys, in particular that for energy. Existing guidelines tend to be derived from`scaled-down' recommendations for horses (Smith, 1999;Ram et al, 2004).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Digestible Energy Requirements of Mexican Donkeys Fed Oat Straw and Maize Stover

Carretero-Roque

Colunga

Smith

et al. 2005

Trop Anim Health Prod

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The limited availability of food, together with the constraints that traditional management systems impose on the natural foraging behaviour of donkeys, often results in severe under-nutrition. Few studies have been conducted into the digestibility of different forages and little information exists on nutritional requirements of donkeys. In order to measure digestible energy requirements of donkeys under tropical conditions, an experiment was carried out at the Centre for Research in Agricultural Science (CICA) and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the Universidad Aut6noma del Estado de México located in the Toluca valley, Central Mexico. Thirty-two donkeys of a body condition typical for Central Mexico were divided into four groups of 8 animals each according to their sex and live weight: group 1 (G1) comprised male donkeys below the average body weight (102+/-5 kg); group 2 (G2) comprised male donkeys of average body weight (121.5+/-4 kg); group 3 (G3) comprised female donkeys below average weight (111.8 +/- 5 kg); and group 4 (G4) comprised female donkeys of average weight (127.6 +/- 5 kg). A diet of oat straw or maize stover and 15% alfalfa hay was offered to meet exact maintenance requirements. The donkeys were monitored for 13 months. The live weight of all animals was recorded daily in order to monitor whether maintenance requirements were being met. Mean daily digestible energy (DE) requirements were measured during the winter, spring, summer and autumn of 2003-2004. Digestible energy requirements of all four sex and liveweight groups were significantly (p > 0.05) higher during the spring than during the other seasons of the year (13.5, 18.0, 10.4 and 14.3 MJ DE per day during winter, spring, summer and autumn, respectively). Predicted DE requirements of donkeys with a live weight range betweenn 90 and 150 kg using the data from the present study were less than those predicted using scaled-down horse feeding standards.

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“…Ram et al (2004) reported that the nutritional requirements of racehorses have been given considerable attention (Pearson 1994), but few data are available on equids. Donkeys are particularly neglected (Pearson et al 1998) and little information is available on their daily nutrient needs.…”

Section: Freedom From Hunger Thirst and Malnutritionmentioning

confidence: 99%