Hedge laying adds enrichment for Sanctuary donkeys

The Donkey Sanctuary’s ecology and conservation team, along with their band of trusty volunteers have been busy employing traditional country skills at the sanctuary in Sidmouth to create secure enclosures for the resident donkeys and provide added enrichment for the herds. 

The group have used the method of hedge-laying across many areas of the sanctuary and have been working on hedges around the New Arrivals Unit at Sidmouth, which houses donkeys that have recently arrived at the sanctuary. 

Hedge laying is a skill that has been practised for centuries, and not only provides a living fence that benefits wildlife, but it also creates a secure natural barrier to keep the donkeys safe.  

As an added bonus, cuttings from the work, such as hazel and willow, have also been enjoyed by donkeys in the unit, as part of their enrichment. The enrichment provides greater opportunities for the donkeys to interact with their environment, make choices and to be more mentally and physically active.  

The traditional method of laying a hedge is a sympathetic management of a hedgerow, and provides a vitally important refuge for wildlife, as well as a strong secure natural fence when established. 

Pascal Bisson, Apprentice Ecology and Conservation Officer said: "Hedge laying regenerates a hedge, giving it greater density and a robust base. This provides a more substantial windbreak for our donkeys and an ecological benefit to wildlife. 

“The thickly-woven branches of a well-laid hedge offer an excellent habitat for birds, small mammals, insects and reptiles. Hedges grow back incredibly quickly from hedge laying. After a year a hawthorn hedge can send up stems two-feet tall!" 

Hedge laying is a seasonal job and carried out over the winter months when shrubs and trees are dormant, and birds have finished nesting. Hand tools are used to partially cut existing shrubs and small trees through their stems at an angle several inches above the ground. 

The plants are then laid over in the direction of the hedge, weaved together and secured with stakes. This soon encourages new growth to be produced, which regrows from the base to fill the gaps and create a beautiful strong and dense hedge. 

Creating such hedges around the New Arrivals Unit also help with the area’s biosecurity while enhancing the area with a natural barrier. 

Over January and February of this year, The Donkey Sanctuary’s conservation team and their volunteers laid around 300 metres of hedges across sanctuary sites. 

Marianne Steele, CEO of The Donkey Sanctuary added: “This is a great example of how our conservation work supports our native wildlife, while creating safe secure enclosures and enrichment for our donkeys.”