What do i need to know about donkeys...

[Alabama ee]

When you get the donkey, I hope you post pictures.

 

[Chickenhorder]

Your fence will be fine. As for burmuda grass i would imagine that would be fine but not for sure. Just remember donkeys should not have much grain if any it can cause issues with them. The feet normally need trimmed as much as a horse which normally is about every 6 to 8 wks but just keep an eye on them. He or she should probably do just fine with your sheep. I have never personally had a donkey get arrgressive with other livestock except my chickens and turkeys that happen to wonder in the pen.

 

[boykin2010]

I LOVE byc and i love posting pics on byc too. I also love looking at all of yall's pics on here too. so to answer your question YES i will post pics... I hope everything works out well. Thank all of you for the awesome advice and help you have given me.

 

[joedie]

Did you say she is 18 months old? If so, then she's still a baby and should not be considered for guardian work. Donkeys aren't really fully grown until around 4 yrs old. That's when they get all their adult teeth. They are slower to mature than horses. Donkeys are very herd oriented. They may do fine with a horse, but really prefer another donkey. They will not bond socially with sheep, so it would be very lonely for her without another of her kind. Also as stated before, she is very young and without older herd members around, she has no one to teach her social skills still needed at her age that she learns from other donkeys. Just something else to think about.
BTW, I've never had to sedate a donkey to load on a trailer. It just takes patience and knowledge of the breed characteristics. Once they've been on one time, they usually jump in within a minute or two. I currently have 26.

 

[BlackBart]

Most of the rescue donkies have to be sedated. But then again they are coming from a abusive life.
Those little ones are incredibly strong, if they don't want to go in or have never been trained to go in a trailer, there is no way they are going in lucid.
They are so adorable, I don't know how people can be so cruel to them.

 

[Alabama ee]

An older one that has been around goats. and lambs might be a better choice if you want him/her with them. Personality and training are still the most important. Make sure you get one that you can handle, and one that you like.

 

[Baymule]

I have a donkey that was terribly abused with an electric cattle prod, hooves left untrimmed for years and I have had him for over 5 years. He still does not trust me. His trust and faith in humans was destroyed. Catching him for the farrier or anything else is difficult to say the least. If the donkey you are looking at is not a friendly, in-your-pocket kind of donkey, then don't get her. You don't want someone else's problems. Donkeys are highly intelligent, so get a good one. Not all donkeys make good guardians. If you get one that is not a good guardian, then sell it and get another. A good donkey guardian is well worth it. Just remember that they are all individuals like people are. I vote for getting a mature female standard size donkey. You will fall in love with donkeys. I wonder does chicken math apply to donkeys?

 

[joedie]

Quote:
It does at my house. Started with 4, have 26 now!

 

[BlackBart]

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I have a Horse that is like your donkey. It is almost like her mind leaves her body sometimes. she goes into a trance.
The abuse was pretty horrible and it was done by a woman.
The horse is much better since she came to live here and very good with us but she does not trust most humans and probably never will.

 

[boykin2010]

that is so sad. i dont know how someone can purposely abuse an animal....