![]() ![]() They are very sure-footed and often see danger well in advance of their owners. Whether smart or stubborn, this mindset tends to make them assess situations before panicking or taking flight. They are highly intelligent, which sometimes can translate into the famous donkey stubbornness everyone has heard about. It’s worth noting that it can be a challenge to find a farrier that will work on donkeys, so make sure you have one in your area in case you need one.īehaviorally, donkeys differ greatly from horses. Their feet, however, are harder than horse hooves and don’t need to be shod as often. Their large ears and lack of undercoat make them somewhat vulnerable in wet and cold conditions, so they need shelter in places where the weather is not in their favor. ![]() Miniature breeds may utilize less area, and larger draft breeds obviously more. If you have a rich pasture, you’ll need to monitor your donkey’s weight condition to make sure they stay fit and don’t overeat and become fat.įor average sized donkeys, 1/2 to 1 acre is sufficient space to roam. A typical donkey does not need grain and only needs about 1/3 of a bale of hay per day when they don’t have access to foraging on pasture. Unfortunately, that means they can get fat very easily. Unlike horses, donkeys can thrive on very marginal forage, which makes them very economical to keep. Larger donkeys can excel as a livestock guardians to protect smaller farm animals, such as goats and sheep, from predators like coyotes and local dogs. Today, donkeys are still highly valued and used broadly in developing countries and are often the only means of transportation available. ![]() ![]() Male donkeys (jacks) are crossed with female horses (mares) to produce superior working animals that are strong and most often mirror the donkey’s temperament and thriftiness. In some parts of Europe, donkey dairies still operate, creating beauty products with the milk.Īnother important value of donkeys is in the production of mules. Cleopatra famously bathed in donkey milk every day as part of her beauty regimen. Donkeys can live to be over 50 years old.ĭonkeys were domesticated around 6,000 years ago from the African wild ass, which was valued by ancient people groups as pack and draft animals and for milk production. With these animals plan for a long lived friend. to choose from, but you can find a wide choice of colors beyond the gray color most often seen in standard donkeys. There are only a small handful of purebred donkey breeds in the U.S. Although donkeys and horses are both equines, they vary in many ways and have different needs you’ll have to meet to be successful with them.ĭonkeys come in a variety of sizes from the miniature Sardinian to the impressive American Mammoth Jack with mixed varieties of every size in between. Choosing the right species and breed will be key to your success, and it all begins with assessing the job the animal will be used for and the basics that are needed to keep them happy and healthy. Animal ownership can come at a great cost if your choices are not a good fit for your farm’s infrastructure and your level of experience. Many people envision adding an equine to their farm, and a well-thought-out plan can make the difference between a dream or a nightmare. ![]()
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