DONKEY FACT vs. MYTHS: DONKEYS AND WATER: We were asked a - TopicsExpress



          

DONKEY FACT vs. MYTHS: DONKEYS AND WATER: We were asked a question: Why do donkeys look thinner in dry season? Donkeys have lower water requirement per unit of weight than other domesticated animals, except the camel. Water intake of a donkey is influenced by the amount of work being done, the temperature and humidity of the environment, the dryness of the feed being consumed and the physiological status of the animal. Donkeys appear to feel less thirsty than other animals when exposed to water deprivation and may continue to eat when most animals, other than the camel, have stopped eating as a result of water shortage. ** Donkeys can withstand up to 20 - 25 percent weight loss due to dehydration and recover this loss when water becomes available. Dehydration in the thermo-neutral zone and at high ambient temperatures of 40ºC depresses food intake but apparently increases digestibility of ingested dry matter. (Fielding and Krause 1998) Donkeys can go 3-5 days without water and refill in about 5 minutes when they do drink. They are suited for desert dry climates.
Posted on: Sun, 28 Sep 2014 01:04:16 +0000

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