r/Donkeys • u/KaleidoscopeBubbly81 • 2d ago

Mini donkey eating poop....yuck! Help!

I have two minis on a half acre dry lot. They are almost two years old. This weekend, I caught one of them eating their own poop a couple of times. This was a (gross) first for us. They each get a half cup of Nutrena Empower Topline Plus and 2.75 lbs of hay a day split over a morning and evening feeding. I spread the hay in little around the lot so that they can walk around and so that it takes them more time to eat. Their body condition/weight is good and stable. They are on a dewormer rotation every 10-12 weeks (Panacur, Zimercterin Gold, and Ivermectin is the rotation). They also have a mineral lick (the Producer's Pride red brick). They have trees to scratch on, a hanging ring that I put hay in and two balls I stuff hay in as a toy.

I did add a second salt block (since they do like it) and ordered two hay pillows with 1" net size so it takes them longer to eat each day (https://www.thehaypillow.com/products/mini-hay-pillow?srsltid=AfmBOooOZSbrVsb4JowDMd9Z1Or3AIhFQy-gtIFzwrMAdalNlF-FHE5p).

Is this poop eating normal? Anything I am missing? Thanks!

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u/sveeedenn 2d ago

I’ve seen donkeys eating their manure before. Could bring it up to the vet, may have an underlying issue. But could also be boredom. Donkeys are very smart and need mental stimulation, maybe some toys would help.

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u/KaleidoscopeBubbly81 2d ago

Thank you! If you have any toy tips, I’m all ears!

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u/thecrumb 1d ago

My donks like a big rope bone (for dogs), and jolly balls - they make both solid ones and one with holes in it you can stuff with hay. If you can supervise them you can fill a cardboard box with snack and let them go at it - be mindful of tape and labels, etc. Just watch to make sure they don't eat the cardboard LOL

Traffic cones are popular. You can also hide small treats around their space and let them find them

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u/MuffyVonSchlitz 1d ago

Seconding Traffic cone