Sweet Pet Gives a Mean Kick

(Page 3 of 3)

March/April 2007
Anita B. Stone 
Article Tools
Print
Comments
RSS
Bookmark and Share
 

RELATED CONTENT

Ideally guard donkeys should be born in the flock or herd, particularly if there is familiarity between the mother and the herd. If there is a problem with this situation (and it will be evident immediately), allow the mother to birth outside the fence. Then the foal can be placed within the herd at intervals to allow for socialization until the foal can function on its own.

 

A week to 10 days following this socialization period, lead the donkey around the cattle or sheep where they can smell and touch each other. Then tether the donkey inside the pen with the stock and feed and groom it there for about a week. By this time everyone will have accepted one another.

 

Keep all dogs away from donkeys and do not let dogs tease or try to play with the donkey.

 

Use only one donkey at a time with livestock. This is important in larger pastures because donkeys might pal up and wander away from the stock. There is one exception to the single donkey rule; a jenny with an unweaned foal tends to be much more protective than other donkeys.

 

Remove the donkey during lambing or calving, as a precaution against accidents, injury or disruption.

 

A guard donkey is a friend and protector. Always speak in a gentle tone and approach the donkey from the front so he or she can see you. Whether water is under their feet or falling from the heavens, donkeys will do their best to avoid getting wet. This is because their desert coat absorbs rather than repels moisture. Once a donkey’s coat becomes damp, it can develop a fungus, so keep the donkey clean, dry and protected. Access to at least a three-walled shelter with dry flooring, adequate lighting and shelter from the weather will assist your donkey in keeping up its guard. 

Page: << Previous 1 | 2 | 3 |
Bookmark and Share
RSS | Comments | E-mail | Print

Comments

  • funny farmer 1/21/2009 6:20:59 PM

    i have two mini donkeys with my small herd of seven mini goats. these two boys are GREAT protectors and work as a team....one will watch whatever they are seeing as a threat, the other quickly herds the goats into a small group and watches them, his back to the donk on watch; when the threat is gone, the two guys slap their necks together as in a 'high five'! there are coyotes nearby and the donkeys give me a measure of security. they also quietly and unobtrusively position themselves between the goats and visitors, and between the goats,fence, and my dogs. there is no way i would ever put one of my dogs into the pasture with the donkeys. i have seen them chase even my cat from the paddock.

    my two guys are three and a half year old gelding half brothers who have lived with goats since they were six months old. both are very people friendly, have great ground manners, and never bite or kick or threaten people in any way. they are healthy and withstand both heat and cold very well; and they are easy keepers needing some hay, minimal grain, and the pasture, which here is not so nourishing. and the bray?? it is loud and funny...and i hear it when they think i should be out there offering some kind of treat/food. i have been known to creep below the level of my kitchen window so as not to be spied by them as they look for me from the paddock....and then brayed at.

Add Your Comment

You can use this comment form to enter your personal experiences or additional information and resources that you'd like to share with Grit readers. Your helpful advice will be posted on this page.  E-mail addresses are never displayed on comments, but they are required to confirm your comments.

Line breaks and paragraphs are automatically converted — no need to use <p> or <br> tags.

New to GRIT?
Sign up to share comments.
Asterisks(*) indicate required fields.
Name*
Your name appears next to your comment.

E-mail Address*
This will be your login ID.

City State Zip Code

Password*


Confirm Password*

Comments
1500 character limit (Offensive materials and/or spam will be removed, no HTML allowed)
Please Note: Your sign-up must be verified via e-mail before your comment is published.
FEATURED ARTICLES
MOST POPULAR


Pay Now & Save 50% Off the Cover Price

First Name: *
 Last Name: *
Address: *
 City: *
State/Province: *
 Zip/Postal Code:*
Country:
 Email:*
(* indicates a required item)
Canadian subs: 1 year, (includes postage & GST). Foreign subs: 1 year, . U.S. funds.
Canadian Subscribers - Click Here
Non US and Canadian Subscribers - Click Here

Live The Good Life with Grit!

For more than 125 years, Grit has helped its readers live more prosperously and happily while emphasizing the importance of community and a rural lifestyle tradition. In each bimonthly issue, Grit includes helpful articles, humorous and inspiring articles, captivating photos, gardening and cooking advice, do-it-yourself projects and the practical reader advice you would expect to find in America’s premier rural lifestyle magazine.

Get your guide to living outside the city limits delivered straight to your mailbox. Subscribe to Grit today!  Simply fill in your information below to receive 1 year (6 issues) of Grit for only $19.95!

SPECIAL BONUS OFFER!

At Grit, we have a tradition of respecting the land that sustains rural America. That’s why we want you to save money and trees by subscribing to Grit through our automatic renewal savings plan. By paying now with a credit card, you save an additional $5 and get 6 issues of Grit for only $14.95 (USA only).

Or, Bill Me Later and send me one year of Grit for just $19.95!