What do i need to know about donkeys...

[The Lisser]

Is it a standard donkey or a mini? All donkeys have good guardian instincts but a single mini would not be able to fight off a pack of dogs or coyotes.

As far as her being skittish . . . all donkeys are naturally distrusting - that's part of what makes them such good guardians. I've been told that if a horse trusts you it will do anything you ask, but a donkey will only do it if wants to. If she has been raised around people and handled, you should be able to handle her after she learns that you won't hurt her. If she has not been trained, however, and you are new to donkeys, you could have a real time trying to handle her for things like shots, hoof trims. I agree that you should see her before you buy her, and ask the owners to show that they can pick up her feet, halter her, and touch her all over. If she has not been trained to do these things, I would not get her.

I have heard of donkeys killing goats. I think Jenny's are less likely to do this than Jacks, but I honestly don't know because I've never seen one attack a goat. I would not keep an intact Jack in with female livestock. I've seen Jenny's and geldings chase their livestock to make sure they will listen . . . which is okay because they need the herd to do what they want in a time of danger. Usually you will see them chase the livestock to the barn or shelter.

Do you know anyone who has horses or donkeys? If you can, I would try to take someone who knows about equines with you who might be able to point out any problems. $80 is pretty cheap for a trained animal.

 

[boykin2010]

i dont really no anyone with donkeys but i will definately make sure i check all these things before buying the donkey.

 

[Alabama ee]

I have raised and owned them for many years. Donkeys are very kind loving animals. There are very smart. They tend to look at things and react or not react , vs most(not all) horses that react then think about things. They will do anything for you if they love and trust you.

The ones I have LOVE people. They are super around kids. They are almost like dogs in that they need love and attention from people. When I go out, they all come up wanting their little necks itched.

The biggest expense with them is trimming their hooves. It needs to be done about every 8 weeks. Make sure the farrier you get knows about and LIKES donkeys. Some just like and know how to do horses. I have found many farriers don't know how to do donkeys. Their feet are a little dfferent than horses.

For deworming, you may want to talk to your vet. HOwever, I usually do it when I have just got a new one. After that, I just test them every so often.

With shots, they need the same as a horse.

You need to be careful with feeding. They do need good quality hay. Many folks give them lesser quality hay. I don't see it as much with the mini's as with standards. They don't need moldy or bad hay. It can make them sick...just like with a horse. Bermuda or a good quality mixed hay is a good choice if they do not have pasture. They do not need much. I do not feed them grains or sweet feed. You do not want them fat. Donkeys can start to gain a ring of fat on their necks. If they start to get that, you KNOW they are eating too much.

 

[boykin2010]

thanks for the excellent answer i really appreciate it! but just to be sure you were saying that donkey DO NOT need any supplement or hay during spring and summer while the grass is growing good. There are a lot of farriers on craigslist but they only do horses, sheep, goats etc and none of them say anything about donkeys.

 

[farmchick897]

Some donkeys like sheep/goats and will protect and some don't and will stomp them. I would definately look for one that is already proven as a guard and is familiar with sheep. Also like someone else mentioned make sure you can halter and handle hooves. Good luck!

 

[boykin2010]

ok well i will just have to look and see for myself if the donkey is ok.

 

[lasergrl]

You should only consider a gelded male or a female donkey (jenny) that has been raised around sheep that have had lambs. Never an intact male, big no no. Even if they are ok with sheep they often will stomp a lamb because it is a new thing on their territory. My jenny that was raised around the sheep would do this. She would also pick up and throw the sheep if they were eating something she wanted. I could never grain my sheep because she couldnt have the grain. Donkeys can easily founder with much grain.

 

[Alabama ee]

Quote:
I would never feed them grain. A normal donkey in good health does not need it. In fact, grain is actually bad for them. Their bodies are too efficient. It is very easy to make them too fat. Good quality hay, when there is no grass, is fine. If you give them a treat, try sliced apples. I do feed them a little hay when the grass is coming up so they don't overeat the new grass and their bodies have time to adjust. Even on just hay, mine are slightly overweight.

When donkeys are eatting in the pasture, you will find they eat different things than the sheep or even goats. They will eat grass, but they sometimes eat other things as well. They browse rather than graze. For instance, they love the flower part of a thistle.

 

[Alabama ee]

Here's a good website that has info on donkeys:

http://www.lovelongears.com/

 

[BlackBart]

My friend rescues donkeys. She has rescued close to 100 from all over North America. Most of them are obese and have had almost no hoof care. Many come with the neck fat and fairy boot hooves.

When they have rehabbed, she turns them out in scrubby land with some rocky terrain and lots of brush. The browsing keeps them moving and working for their food. She does feed local field hay with a low sugar content. They are easy keepers.
No grain and supplies a trace mineral salt block.
Page wire fencing with electric along the top and bottom. Gates have snap latches on them. Some donkey's are escape artists