The new peer-reviewed study, jointly funded by The Donkey Sanctuary and the University of the West of England (UWE), explored how donkeys at its Sidmouth site interact with native hedgerow species. The researcher, PhD student Jessie Fitts from the UWE, found that donkeys showed clear preferences for certain browse species and readily incorporated woody vegetation into their feeding behaviour, highlighting the value of providing opportunities for browsing alongside traditional grazing.
These findings highlight the benefits of the innovative browsing structures, dubbed 'whirligigs', featuring donkey-safe branches such as hazel and willow, often with added herbs, which have been introduced across The Donkey Sanctuary's sites. The structures provide foliage variety and opportunities to browse while also offering valuable mental stimulation.
Enrichment is a vital part of the charity's donkey care management, providing mental stimulation, preventing boredom and encouraging physical activity - all of which support good welfare and healthy weight management.
A re-design of the paddock for the resident miniature donkeys included adding tracks, building earth mounds, and re-seeding areas with diverse grass and wildflower mixes. Additional trees were also planted creating sheltered areas and spaces allowing donkeys greater privacy and control over their environment.
By monitoring how donkeys interact with their environment, researchers are building a stronger evidence base for enrichment and welfare. The findings complement a previous paper by Jessie Fitts, also funded by The Donkey Sanctuary, which found that donkeys in more diverse fields showed more positive emotional states.
Hannah Bryer, Head of Welfare at The Donkey Sanctuary, said: "We're continually exploring practical ways to create environments that allow donkeys to express a broader range of natural behaviours, giving them greater autonomy over their choices throughout their day.
"Monitoring how donkeys use their environment is helping us understand what works well, where improvements can be made and how enrichment can be tailored to best meet their needs".
"What's particularly exciting is that the benefits of this work extend far beyond our own farms. Many of our guardians as well as private owners, care for donkeys in similar-sized environments, so the knowledge we gain can help promote good welfare for donkeys in homes around the world."
"Enrichment also benefits the people who care for donkeys. Our grooms, volunteers and guardians build incredibly special bonds with these animals, and seeing donkeys able to explore, browse, interact and make choices within their environment is rewarding for everyone involved. It's a really exciting time for donkey welfare, and we're proud to be helping lead the way."
The Donkey Sanctuary hopes its ongoing research will help inform future best practice and create environments that support not only donkeys' physical needs but also their behavioural and emotional wellbeing.
Photo credit: The Donkey Sanctuary
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