(Frequently Asked Donkey Questions)
Disclaimer: These answers are suggestions only. Each owner and trainer must be accountable for their own decisions and results.
- How do I get my donkey
to stop braying?
If noise is a concern for you and your neighbors - best get goldfish or a pet rock. Donkeys tend to celebrate life by singing - a natural part of Nature's Chorus. Generally jacks and geldings tend to be more 'chatty' than jennets, but any donkey can be trained to bray by being fed and spoiled with treats whenever they honk which just reinforces that behavior. Before you get a donkey verify that you are able to have livestock on your property - that you are actually zoned for agricultural/livestock use. If you are in the zone, then your donkey can legally bray all he needs to. - What does it mean when
my donkey shows it's teeth and looks up?
This is a natural flehman response. Many mammals have a special receptor in their nose and mouth and curling the lip activates this process. It allows them to specially scent pheromones - mostly used in estrus detection or determining what a new smell is. - Why does my jennet
open her mouth wide and chew her teeth? Is she in pain?
This behavior is called mouthing. A jennet does this when she is in heat. Foals will sometimes do this bubble gum chewing behavior to indicate submission. - Why is a donkey called
an ass?
Ass is the proper name for a donkey. Their scientific name is Equus Asinus. The word ass is used for donkeys in the bible (King James version). It is only in modern times that the word ass takes on slang overtones. The word donkey was invented much later in history. - Which would be better
- a jack or a jennet?
Jacks are stallions and should be gelded - they are never just pets. The differences between a gelding or jennet is personal preference. Many people like geldings because they do not go into heat. Other folks like geldings because they feel they are more lively. Personality and character are individual traits for each animal regardless of gender. - How do I stop my
donkey from eating my barn?
It's very natural for donkeys to want to get FIBER into their diet. A favorite is pressure treated wood. Best get those metal corner edgings or really good commercial chew stop to paint on because otherwise they WILL eat the barn down. - Why does my foal dip his back down
away from pressure when I'm brushing him? Is he damaged?
Foals often have "fading" backs when pressure is put on them, it's quite normal. Gradual conditioning will improve their behavior and they will grow out of it. Since female donkeys mount each other in heat, I think it's a survival reflex for the foal to fade from that pressure in case they were jumped on, to prevent injury. - How soon can I wean a baby donkey?
Foals should stay with their mothers until they are at least 6 months of age. The foal needs his dam not only for its physical, but its emotional needs as well. Most foals are naturally eating solid foods along with mothers milk as early as 3 days of age. This in no way indicates they are ready to be weaned!! Donkeys are people loving by nature and no baby needs to forced to love humans by early weaning. There is no way humans can possibly provide the lessons of life that this foals mother and other herd members can possibly provide. - How much weight can my donkey carry?
Ability of your donkey is an individual thing. It has a lot to do with conformation, maturity, mental make up, training, conditioning and work environment. Normally a donkey can safely carry a live weight load of 25% of their own lean body weight (this includes saddle and tack). - When can I start riding my donkey
Donkeys are not physically mature until they are 6 years of age. They don't get all their permanent teeth until that time. However you can start riding before that time - most experts agree that one must wait until the growth plates in the legs have hardened. In Jackstock, since they are such slow growers - it is best to wait until they are 4 years of age. - Can donkeys be livestock guardians
like I've heard?
Most donkeys love to chase dogs and cats. Some donkeys are less talented, it's an individual trait. As far as size goes, it probably would be best to have a small standard donkey. Big enough in stature to cause concern to a marauding dogs or coyotes and quick enough to get the point across! Adult donkeys are best, either a jennet or gelding. Nix on uncastrated jacks - they can sometimes be bullies and might molest the livestock for fun. - Can donkeys colic?
Yes, donkeys can colic. Donkeys tend to be very private about thier pain. They tend to take the tough silent approach so your donkey could be worse off than you think. They won't normally paw and thrash around like some horses would. It's best to call the "VET" and get professional help right away, any time a tummy upset is suspected. Also when a donkey goes off feed for several days, an often fatal condition called hyperlipemia can come on, activated by stress and not eating. It's better to get a tube up the nose than to become someone's backhoe exercise. - Can donkeys founder?
Yes a donkey may founder from overfeeding, rich pasture, colic, poorly taken care of feet, toxicity, etc.. Lameness should be examined by your veterinarian. Immediate care in founder cases is what determines possible recovery. - How old before I can breed my jennet?
Please, please wait until your jenny is at least three years of age if not four. Donkeys mature slowly. The skeletal structure is still growing until 6 years of age! Breeding baby donkeys means that a young mother's body will be robbed of her own growing calcium and nutritional needs by her fetus, and both wind up substandard in the end along with other possible complications. - How old before I geld my jack?
It would be wise to consult your veterinarian to see what his normal standard of practice is. The easiest time to geld young jacks is when they are still nursing from three months of age on up - they get up right after surgery and they follow mom around the pasture and act like nothing ever happened. There is no advantage to waiting until a jack is older and more mature - more disadvantages in fact. A young hormone driven jack can be the worst pest and even dangerous if proper discipline isn't applied. The young jack will learn natural studdy behavior that gelding will not always take away. Also, gelded young, your donkey will tend to grow bigger than the intact equivalent. Also be sure and have your veterinarian discuss litigating the surgical site - it's a fact that donkeys tend to bleed more. - My jack has teats on his sheath - is
this normal?
No, your jack does not need hormone therapy or corrective surgery! Most male donkeys have vestigial teats attached to their sheaths. Rather like the proverbial teats on a boar hog - they don't do anything, they just are. - Do donkeys have crosses?
Most standard and miniature donkeys carry crosses. This is not a special breed of donkey - it is simply a naturally evolved color. There is a poem about their markings called:
The Donkey's Cross
"Bring me the colt of a donkey," was
the Master's request.
A young donkey was brought to Jesus
to carry Him into Jerusalem.
A week later Jesus was ordered
crucified.
The little donkey so loved the Lord that
he wanted to help Him carry the cross.
But alas, he was pushed away.
The sad little donkey waited to say
goodbye until nearly all had left.
As he turned to leave, the shadow of
the cross fell upon his back and
shoulder.
And there it has remained, a tribute to
the loyalty and love of the humblest
of God's creatures.
author not known - How do I stop my donkey biting?
Once they learn such bad behavior, it is very hard to break. Stop all hand feeding. Walking away immediately when obnoxious behaviors are happening can also be effective, youngsters hate to be ignored. You can also say a loud NO. Pinching a lip or nostril hard (please don't slap at the face, however) - you need to make sure you do it like you mean it or it just becomes another game for the donkey. As a herd animal, donkeys do not understand fairness or weakness. Herd members use their teeth and hooves to maintain their status with each other. You have shown your donkey by letting it 'walk' all over you that you are unworthy of his or her respect and are beneath them in herd status, and it's up to you to gain that back by drawing a line. There is no magic formula, but firmness and consistency. Only when you've obtained the respect back can your donkey really be able to love and enjoy you for you again.
Disclaimer: These answers are suggestions only. Each owner and trainer must be accountable for their own decisions and results.
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