Fall is right around the corner; the leaves are beginning to change their colors, and the animals are enjoying the last few weeks of summer.

With the weather changing soon, the animals require more supplemental nutrition, as there are not as many resources available in the fields for them. When the fields begin to turn a yellow-brown color and the grass is not as nourishing, field-cut hay, processed over the summer, is provided as a replacement until the fields are growing and green again.

There are quite a few differences between goats and donkeys. Goats are browsers, while donkeys and horses are grazers. This means that the goats will munch on weeds, leaves, top of plants and shrubs—and love poison ivy—while Daisy the donkey enjoys eating all the grass, close-to-the-ground plants and other types of vegetation.

Another way to assist in cutting back possible deficiencies in the goats and the donkey is by providing them with yearlong “free-choice” salt and minerals. This means that they can eat it at any time during the day. Various types of deficiencies can occur with goats. One could see problems with reproductive health or milk production, or issues with kidding, coat health and parasite loads.

There are different types of minerals available for purchase, such as calcium, copper, phosphorus and selenium.

Salt and mineral blocks are much harder for the goats and donkey to consume because they are meant  for animals that have rougher tongues. If the salt or mineral  blocks are too difficult for the horse or goat to lick, they can be seen chewing on the block, trying to get the nutrients from it.

Over the last few years we have been providing the animals with these supplements to increase their overall health.