The aim of this B. Sc. thesis was to present the nutritional requirements of donkeys and practical guidelines for their feeding. In practice, donkeys are often fed improperly formulated and excessive diets. They evolved in arid regions, which is why they developed certain mechanisms that help them survive in such environments. Donkeys are characterized by their highly efficient utilization of low-energy, high-fiber forage. Due to adaptation to an arid climate, they also possess specific water-conservation mechanisms and tolerate short-term dehydration well. Their maintenance digestible energy requirements are 50 to 75 % lower than those of horses of comparable size. Furthermore, they have significantly lower crude protein requirements, which is crucial when feeding concentrates. This thesis details the specific nutritional requirements of donkeys across various life stages and physiological states, including working donkeys, pregnant jennies, lactating jennies, as well as young and elderly animals. Due to errors in diet formulation and the consequent obesity in donkeys, nutritionally and metabolically induced diseases such as laminitis, colic, and hyperlipemia can occur, which can be life-threatening. This B. Sc. thesis helps raise awareness and understanding of the specific nutritional characteristics of this species and compares the nutritional requirements of donkeys with those of horses, enabling breeders to ensure proper feeding and prevent the occurrence of the aforementioned diseases.
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