Table of Contents
It is good to be familiar with their feet and pick them up to clean them out regularly. Donkeys should be kept on clean, dry bedding, and well drained fields. Feet should be trimmed once every 8 weeks by a farrier who has some experience with donkeys.
What do you need to care for a donkey?
Just like any other pet, donkeys need regular veterinary care. Regular exams, vaccinations, and worming are all important. You’ll also need to keep up with your donkey’s hoof and dental care needs. Ask your vet for recommendations.
Are donkeys easy to maintain?
Donkeys are naturally easy-going and kind tempered, but of course, like any other animal if they have been abused, they can become wary and cranky. Luckily, because donkeys are very smart, they can learn to trust again if you’re able to convince your donkey that you are trustworthy.
What should you not feed donkeys?
Avoid feeding potatoes, anything from the brassica family, onions, leeks, garlic, stoned fruit and anything which is old, fermented or mouldy as these are toxic to donkeys. Carrots, apples, bananas, pears, turnips and swedes are all safe and usually very popular with donkeys.
How many acres does a donkey need?
Donkeys make great guard animals for your smaller animals – chickens, ducks, goats, etc. – gladly taking on coyotes or neighbors’ dogs that might venture to close to your homestead. You’ll need roughly 1/2 acre per donkey of pasture, and it’s best if they can be rotated between pastures.
Do donkeys need a stable?
Unlike a horse, donkeys do not have a natural build up of grease to make their coat waterproof, so they should always have access to a shelter or stable.
How often do donkeys need their hooves trimmed?
Trimming donkey hooves Most donkeys will require a foot trim every 6-10 weeks, but care should be taken with older donkeys who might struggle to lift their limbs. You should aim to keep limbs as low as possible during trimming.
Are donkeys good for keeping grass down?
According to my academic Google research, donkeys were the most efficient pasture guardians. They naturally despised canine and were fairly easy keepers. A donkey will go to great and dramatic lengths to ensure that nothing ever comes between it and an easy meal.
Do donkeys smell?
There is not much known about donkeys’ sense of smell. However, it is generally agreed that it is somewhat well developed. Donkeys use their sense of smell to determine if something is life-threatening or friendly, to locate food, and to identify each other, as well as to identify humans.
How much does a donkey cost per year?
As a rule of thumb, you’re probably looking at around $1,000 per donkey per year as your ongoing maintenance cost. Decide what you’re looking for in a donkey and locate local sources for the type of donkey you want and need.
What is toxic to donkeys?
Pesticides, Herbicides, And Rodenticides. It may not come as a surprise that herbicides and rodenticides can cause toxicosis in donkeys if ingested. If donkeys ingest plants that have been sprayed with phenoxy acid herbicides, they can become ill or even die.
Why do donkeys roll in dirt?
For donkeys, there’s nothing quite like rolling in a fresh patch of dirt. And, while rolling on the ground helps to scratch their backs, it’s also a natural behavior for donkeys to cover themselves in dust, which provides great insulation and protection from extreme heat and cold.
What human food can donkeys eat?
Fruit and veg (apples, pears, watermelon, oranges, bananas, carrots, turnips, sweet potato, squash and swedes – including skins and rinds) are healthy and will add variety to your donkey’s diet. Offer different treats to keep life interesting. Add a dash of cinnamon to vegetables to make them extra tempting.
Can I keep a donkey in my backyard?
Yes, you can keep a mini donkey as a pet. In fact, Animal Planet cites a statistic from the National Miniature Donkey Association that found that, in the United States, three million people have equine animals like miniature donkeys as household pets.
Why do farmers keep donkeys?
They have long been used as pack animals and for draft work in agriculture and more, but these days, some folks are deciding that the donkey’s intelligence and attentiveness are making them suitable as pasture pets, as a guardian for livestock and sometimes as a companion for horses.
Do donkeys and goats get along?
Donkeys and other sanctuary mammals such as goats, pigs, llamas, and alpacas, can potentially live harmoniously on the same pasture, but they will require careful introduction and early supervision to ensure a good fit.
Are donkeys OK in rain?
Because they’re smaller and more vulnerable to the cold, they could catch a chill if caught in the rain for too long. For adult donkeys, just keep an eye on how long and how often they stand out in the rain for. If you feel it’s getting excessive, try and get them in.
Do donkeys need rugs?
Young and healthy donkeys are unlikely to need a winter coat or rug as their coats will naturally thicken as we approach winter. But if your donkeys are old or sick they will find it harder to maintain body heat so they may need a rug to keep warm.
Are donkeys noisy?
Donkeys make a loud sound developed in order to maintain contact with other donkeys over wide spaces in the desert. Like dogs, some donkeys are more vocal than others. No technique will silence a donkey completely; but by understanding why these animals call, you can limit the frequency of these loud vocalizations.
