How to Rear Donkeys
Donkeys can be used to guard sheep and goats, to be companions for horses, foals or calves during the weaning process and even to halter-break calves and young horses. Donkeys are vocal animals that will most likely bray to greet you when you get home from work, to let you know it's feeding time or to sound an alert if they smell coyotes. Thanks to large ears, donkeys can hear other donkeys bray from as far as seven miles away. Donkeys are intelligent, highly trainable animals.
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Instructions
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Prepare your property for donkeys. Make sure your pasture is fully fenced. Provide a three-sided shelter to protect your donkeys from wind and rain. Make sure your donkeys will have constant access to fresh, clean water. Donkeys need their hooves trimmed every eight weeks and vaccinations once a year.
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Have your veterinarian give any donkey you want to purchase a thorough exam. Three healthy, mature jennets (females) and one healthy, mature jack (male) will provide adequate breeding stock.
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Feed your donkeys grass hay and high-quality pasture.
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The gestational period for donkeys is 12 to 13 months. Consult a veterinarian to determine if your jennets are in foal. Follow your veterinarian's advice throughout the pregnancy. Donkeys typically have uncomplicated pregnancies, but if your jennet looks ill or loses weight, consult a veterinarian.
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Keep foals with their mothers. Provide hay and pasture. Foals get the nutrients they need from their mothers' milk and eat more solid food as they get older. Wean foals at nine months. Separate young jennets from jacks.
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Castrate any jacks you want to keep but don't want to breed.
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Tips & Warnings
House jacks separately from young jennets.
To avoid dealing with jacks, keep only jennets and use stud services for breeding.
Donkeys don't need grain or supplements unless recommended by a veterinarian.
Feeding donkeys alfalfa can cause obesity and founder.
References
- Photo Credit donkey image by jjsb88 from Fotolia.com
