How To Feed An Orphan Donkey Foal

 

If the foal has not had its Colostrum from its mother before being orphaned, you will need to start with that. If possible get Donkey Colostrum (milk dead mother, or if lucky, milk another donkey just after it's foals birth).

If no donkey colostrum is available give as a first feed;

120 mls milk
120 mls water
1 teaspoon cod liver oil
1 egg yolk
1 teaspoon glucodin
1 1/2 tablespoons of lime water (1 cup of lime powder in water for 2 hours - then use water off the top).

Give the foal 120 mls of this mix 2 hourly for the first day, then go onto chosen milk formula. These can be chosen from the various low lactose milks like;

Give 10% - 15% of its body weight over 24 hours. Give small frequent feeds at first then space out to 4 times a day and decrease as the foal gets older and starts eating other food.
Use a calf teat or one of the various calf feeding bottles available. If scouring occurs, decrease the strength and amount of formula and when the foal is OK again, increase the amount slowly.
Feeding bottles etc., should be sterilized before use. Milk should be offered at body temperature. Never try to feed a foal while it is lying flat as this can cause death if the milk goes into the lungs. A foal should be sitting in an upright position on its chest, or standing up, before any attempt is made to feed milk.