MamaBear1988
Hatching
Ok, I have recently (last 4 days) have added a donkey to my property. I have looked up a lot of information, but I need the black and white conversations, with people who know what I mean! I have a lot of questions, and cant seem to find the exact answers I am looking for!
****Main questions:*****
1) How do I "work" or "play" with my donkey in an appropriate way? as in what activities/toys??
2)Right now I have been "spoiling" him, as I am trying to make him comfortable and trying to get a feel for his character. I don't want to mess him up or have problems later though. advice on ways to get to know him, and him I WITHOUT treats or sweet feed?
3) I have a 4 year old son or has a minor disability. The donkey seems very interested in him. But as a 4 year old will be.. he is loud, has sudden movements, and doesn't pet gently( I am teaching him, and not allowing him to be crazy around the donkey, but everyone knows kids will do there way when you are not looking/around) He is not cruel in anyway to animals, he would never kick or hit nor yell at him. should I still worry about him getting kicked or hurt?? like forever?? The donkey has shown NO signs of trying to kick, even when we were trying to trailer him for the drive home... which was a bit crazy as he had never been trailered.
4)How do I know what he feels/likes/doesn't like? like what does ears back mean, shaking head, trying to nibble, braying? I want to protect myself and family from unsafe reactions from him...
5) Where do they like to be pet/held? he likes the neck ok... but ears go flat back when I touch his face, neck, back, and sides.
6)How do I "correct/redirect" bad habits and behavior WITHOUT hurting or him feeling abused??
that's all I can think of right now really, but I'm sure I will have a thousand more lol but I would like to give y'all a bit of back story. doesn't take long but might be relevant.
We had two mini Nubian goats for a little over 4 years. we have younger kids (15,12,and 4) and after only a few months they lost interest in the goats completely and it had fallen to my husband and I to give attention/care to them. We both work full time and the goats became destructive and "annoying" we couldn't work in the yard or do anything without goats in the way. So though we didn't want to.. We gave them to a friend/neighbor. They were there around a year. A few weeks ago the guy called to tell us another neighbors dogs got in the yard and had attacked the goats. which the result was one dead(the leader/head cheif) and that our smallest one Shadow who followed Chief EVERYWHERE had gotten his ear ripped off and was being mauled when he realized. He shot the dogs and shadow, threw vet care, is only missing an ear and we are not sure if he is deaf or what... So then the guy asked us to take our goat back as he no longer wanted him. I know goats should not be alone. they need a companion. I looked everywhere. SPCA, animal control ect and no one had a goat. (we can NOT buy a goat they are way too much) But found that a neighbor was giving a donkey away for free. He's around 2 years old and been around goats. He was so sweet, no biting loved pets and seem to enjoy the kids. Our main decision came from needing a companion for the goat but also a protector for him as he is most likely deaf. I have already fallen in love with the donkey and my family and I are currently "arguing" over a name lol. We really want the donkey to be happy with us and not have to worry so much about if we turn around he might kick or bite us. We have 2 acres and the set up gives them a run in stall that will be open 90% of the time (10ft by 10ft) but can be closed to only give them about two yard so we can handle if need be. but mainly they will have the whole acreage. If there is ANY information, suggestions, or advice you may have or know PLEASE PLEASE let me know. I want whats best for the animal and my family. plus, the more information I have the better donkey owner I can be. All of our animals, down to the smallest chicken is a pet, we love our animals dearly. Thank you so much for reading and helping me out!
****Main questions:*****
1) How do I "work" or "play" with my donkey in an appropriate way? as in what activities/toys??
2)Right now I have been "spoiling" him, as I am trying to make him comfortable and trying to get a feel for his character. I don't want to mess him up or have problems later though. advice on ways to get to know him, and him I WITHOUT treats or sweet feed?
3) I have a 4 year old son or has a minor disability. The donkey seems very interested in him. But as a 4 year old will be.. he is loud, has sudden movements, and doesn't pet gently( I am teaching him, and not allowing him to be crazy around the donkey, but everyone knows kids will do there way when you are not looking/around) He is not cruel in anyway to animals, he would never kick or hit nor yell at him. should I still worry about him getting kicked or hurt?? like forever?? The donkey has shown NO signs of trying to kick, even when we were trying to trailer him for the drive home... which was a bit crazy as he had never been trailered.
4)How do I know what he feels/likes/doesn't like? like what does ears back mean, shaking head, trying to nibble, braying? I want to protect myself and family from unsafe reactions from him...
5) Where do they like to be pet/held? he likes the neck ok... but ears go flat back when I touch his face, neck, back, and sides.
6)How do I "correct/redirect" bad habits and behavior WITHOUT hurting or him feeling abused??
that's all I can think of right now really, but I'm sure I will have a thousand more lol but I would like to give y'all a bit of back story. doesn't take long but might be relevant.
We had two mini Nubian goats for a little over 4 years. we have younger kids (15,12,and 4) and after only a few months they lost interest in the goats completely and it had fallen to my husband and I to give attention/care to them. We both work full time and the goats became destructive and "annoying" we couldn't work in the yard or do anything without goats in the way. So though we didn't want to.. We gave them to a friend/neighbor. They were there around a year. A few weeks ago the guy called to tell us another neighbors dogs got in the yard and had attacked the goats. which the result was one dead(the leader/head cheif) and that our smallest one Shadow who followed Chief EVERYWHERE had gotten his ear ripped off and was being mauled when he realized. He shot the dogs and shadow, threw vet care, is only missing an ear and we are not sure if he is deaf or what... So then the guy asked us to take our goat back as he no longer wanted him. I know goats should not be alone. they need a companion. I looked everywhere. SPCA, animal control ect and no one had a goat. (we can NOT buy a goat they are way too much) But found that a neighbor was giving a donkey away for free. He's around 2 years old and been around goats. He was so sweet, no biting loved pets and seem to enjoy the kids. Our main decision came from needing a companion for the goat but also a protector for him as he is most likely deaf. I have already fallen in love with the donkey and my family and I are currently "arguing" over a name lol. We really want the donkey to be happy with us and not have to worry so much about if we turn around he might kick or bite us. We have 2 acres and the set up gives them a run in stall that will be open 90% of the time (10ft by 10ft) but can be closed to only give them about two yard so we can handle if need be. but mainly they will have the whole acreage. If there is ANY information, suggestions, or advice you may have or know PLEASE PLEASE let me know. I want whats best for the animal and my family. plus, the more information I have the better donkey owner I can be. All of our animals, down to the smallest chicken is a pet, we love our animals dearly. Thank you so much for reading and helping me out!