About Miniature Donkeys & How to Care for Them
There are a few things you should know before you bring your mini-donkeys home.
Read on for some basic information about these miniature long-ears and how to care for them.
Read on for some basic information about these miniature long-ears and how to care for them.
The Social Life of DonkeysIt is never an idea to keep only one donkey. No matter how hard you try, you will not be able to be your donkey's twenty-four hour companion. Goats, cows, horses, dogs, etc. make poor substitutes as well as they are simply not donkeys. It is always recommended when you are adding donkeys to your farm that you buy at least two for the mental well-being of your donkeys... and your own.
Donkeys are herd animals, but the structure of their herd is someone different from what we are used to seeing among horses, for instance. Within the herd, jennies and their young foals will form a loose group - following in the same general area and alerting one another to danger. They find comfort in such casual company, but interaction is minimal. What there is of it is so subtle - a touch on the flank or a brush with the tail - that it is easy to miss if you are not vigilant. If there is a jack in the herd, he does not interact with the herd as leader. He mostly controls and defends a territory rather than individuals within that territory. The jennies and foals that happen to be in that territory will benefit from his patrols, but do not specifically look to him for protection in times of distress. They generally look after themselves. We find it helpful to keep this loose non-hierarchical herd structure in mind when establishing a relationship with our donkeys: there is no leader... only respect among equals.
It is also highly recommended that you do not keep an intact jack as a pet. Jacks can be as sweet and affectionate as the next donkey, but when their hormones take over (and they do without warning) they are at the very least a nuisance - but also potentially dangerous.
Shelter & Other ConsiderationsDonkeys do not require an enclosed and insulated shelter. A sturdy three-sided shelter or run-in with a relatively low roof will be appreciated for protection from wind and rain. (They really do not like wind or rain.)
Because of dietary considerations, you will want to have an area for your donkeys where they can be periodically restricted from lush pasture and browse. If at all possible, choose a location which is quite dry or at least well-drained with compact soil.
Always provide plenty of fresh, clean water for your donkeys as they will refuse to drink stale water.
Have questions?Please feel free to contact us with any questions you have or suggestions for information which should be added to this page in the future. We would love to hear from you. |
What is a miniature donkey?The first thing you should understand is that a mini-donkey is not, in fact, simply a regular donkey that has been selectively bred until it is small - as is the case with many 'mini' breeds in animals. Instead, what we commonly call a miniature donkey is a breed unto itself which happens to be naturally small in stature. Also called the Mediterranean donkey, Sardinian donkey, or Sicilian donkey - you may be able to guess that this small donkey originated in the Mediterranean. Today very few of these donkeys remain in their place of origin.
The first seven of these donkeys were imported to the United States by a man named Robert Green in 1929. Over many years the breed has gained popularity as a companion animal. Today it is estimated that there are between 10,000 and 15,000 miniature donkeys in the United States alone.
Miniature donkeys stand an average of 34 inches at the withers and weigh between 200 and 350 lbs at maturity. The most common color is the classic donkey gray color with the dark dorsal stripe and cross. Other colors include black, brown, sorrel, and spotted. In the U.S. mini-donkeys may be registered through the American Donkey and Mule Society. Spotted individuals may also be registered through the American Council of Spotted Asses.
Feeding DonkeysThere is never enough to say about this topic, but the best advice can be summed up as follows: do not overfeed your donkeys.
For some detailed information on how you should feed your donkeys and why, check out our blog post on the topic here: Moderation Is Less Than You Probably Think
TrainingEven if you do not plan on teaching your donkeys to pull a cart or carry a pack, you should - at the minimum - teach your donkey to accept a halter, walk on a lead, and lift their feet.
There are some great websites out there with hints and tips for training your donkey. (We suggest Donkey Whisperer Farm, for one.) As you make your search, keep two things in mind when considering training methods. First, donkeys are not horses - avoid training methods which treat them as nothing more than short horses with long ears. Second, never rush a donkey or force a donkey to do anything. Choose training methods which give the donkey a chance to make good decisions and that will strengthen their bond with you. In the end, you want your donkey to want to work with you.
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