Donkeys

[Elizabeth]

Anyone experienced in donkeys.

How much ground would you recommend for a pair?

[MuddyWitch]

My friend has 2.5 donkeys on 2.5 acres. Granny donkey, Mummy Donkey & baby Ozzy = 2.5 donkeys!

I'd get in touch with a donkey sanctury & ask for their advice, I'm sure they'd be delighted to help you.

MW

[PeterNZ]

Donkeys? "My Ass!"


This is Pancho and me. He is a 2 year old Jack and up to all sort of things. I'd say Donkeys are very similar to horses. They are easily overfed if they get too rich gracing. Donkeys are even harder than horses. Meaning they need roughage like thistles, rushes and shrubs and lots of hay. They need exercise as well. A Donkey should walk about 15km a day!!! Ours doesn't and that's why he gets too fat. I need to do more with him. So the most important thing is: What do you want to do with your donkey. It is not good to just have him as a "garden ornament".

They also get easily bored and then start doing stupid things. For example sticking their head through the fence and then pulling it back when the dog starts barking at him. He has quite a gash under his chin which was bleeding a lot.

Donkeys also need their hooves trimmed. Our farrier wasn't too keen on it but at least he taught me how to do it. It needs time and patience to train a donkey to let you trim his hooves.

I wouldn't want to live without him but it is quite a responsibility.

Hope this helps you somehow. Let me know if you have more questions.

Cheers

Peter

[Elizabeth]

That is helpful.

I have already been on the Donkey Sanctuary website - they say an acre a donkey. Costs about £700 a year.

Peter - do you only have the 1 donkey?

[PeterNZ]

Peter - do you only have the 1 donkey?

Yes only the one. But I also have a horse and those two are so close that I was wondering if I should re-name my horse "Shrek" (he would even have the body shape - LOL) . I would never keep a Donkey without a companion. They need company. My problem is I can't do much with the donkey at the moment. The moment I take him off the paddock my horse goes nuts and I am scared he might try to jump the fence. Not a good idea for a 24 year old horse!

Cheers

Peter

[MuddyWitch]

Peter,

Surely that's not the donkey's Mum you're milking in your avatar?

MW

[PeterNZ]

Peter,

Surely that's not the donkey's Mum you're milking in your avatar?

MW

No silly, it is our dog!

Cheers

Peter

[MuddyWitch]

Of course! Silly Me!!!

I just had visions of you bathing in ass's milk a la Cleopatra!

MW