anyone keep a donkey with their flock?

[Redeagletrapping]

Keep a donkey because you want a donkey. They will give exactly zero cares about your birds, except they may stomp one if the mood strikes. Likewise your dog, cat, or anything else smaller than themselves.

I live in coyote country (three resident packs around my property) and a donkey, especially a mini donkey, is No Match. Unless the 'yotes spook when they bray, they are no protection. In fact, they need the same protection as any other livestock of like size. Even my 16hh molly mule won't take on coyotes. The only equines I have that will are my stallion and a couple of older mares, and the mares only if they don't have a foal of their own, but another mare does.

Now, don't think I don't like them, because I do. But the only real protection from coyote packs are two or three big dogs, backed up by you. Better is a secure barn everyone gets tucked into at night.

I understand exactly what you are saying. The donkey a full size would be part of the family. I def am one to get something cause we want it , it def would be nice to offer additional protection to the goats.

As part of my trapping I run up to 300 traps here on the property so I have that angle covered followed by night scope on a rifle , I want thermal but kinda overkill for far and few between uses
That said my big concern is heading to work during the day and leaving them in a fenced pasture while mostly safe still won't stop a motivated pack of coyotes. Especially for the pygmy and pygora goats. And goat fencing.

Luckily our cats are indoors and the dogs are rat terriers great for rodents by the way.
So I don't really want to get a dog for outside all day though I am sure they wouldn't mind. I just grew up with indoor dogs not working dogs.

I definitely appreciate your insight and knowledge with the mules and horses. Lots to consider.