• Post Reply Bookmark Topic Watch Topic
  • New Topic
permaculture forums growies critters building homesteading energy monies kitchen purity ungarbage community wilderness fiber arts art permaculture artisans regional education skip experiences global resources cider press projects digital market permies.com pie forums private forums all forums
this forum made possible by our volunteer staff, including ...
master stewards:
  • Nancy Reading
  • Carla Burke
  • r ranson
  • John F Dean
  • paul wheaton
  • Pearl Sutton
stewards:
  • Jay Angler
  • Liv Smith
  • Leigh Tate
master gardeners:
  • Christopher Weeks
  • Timothy Norton
gardeners:
  • thomas rubino
  • Jeremy VanGelder
  • Maieshe Ljin

Mini donkeys

 
Posts: 48
5
  • Likes 2
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
I have a love of donkeys and am I terested in raising some mini donkeys to breed and sell. What are my main co ferns for doing such.  I only have a 2/3 acre fenced in.  Is that enough for a breeding pair? I have chickens. Is that a concern? Please help me before I get some and they suffer because I don't know what I am doing

 
master gardener
Posts: 4246
Location: Upstate NY, Zone 5, 43 inch Avg. Rainfall
1721
monies home care dog fungi trees chicken food preservation cooking building composting homestead
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
When I was in highschool and crushing on a girl, I ended up working at her father's goat dairy farm.

They had a donkey named Abner and I have been enamored by donkeys to this day.

I believe the rule of thumb with donkeys is half an acre EACH. I believe this is considering pasture grazing requirements but don't quote me on that. I do not know what it is for Minis but I can assume that you might be right on that line. I tend to err on the side of caution and would encourage you to see if you can squeeze in another quarter acre fenced.



 
Stephen Cummings
Posts: 48
5
  • Likes 1
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
I actually have about another 2/3 of an acre I can add without much trouble . I just want to make sure they will be ok
 
Timothy Norton
master gardener
Posts: 4246
Location: Upstate NY, Zone 5, 43 inch Avg. Rainfall
1721
monies home care dog fungi trees chicken food preservation cooking building composting homestead
  • Likes 1
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
I would imagine that would be sufficient space. Make sure to build some shelter and work out your water providing system and you should be pretty well set.

Definitely read up on their care, while it isn't that far different from horses there are key differences.

Also know that donkeys are unique in their training... they tend to be stubborn. Be prepared!
 
Stephen Cummings
Posts: 48
5
  • Likes 1
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
Thanks.   I have a creek they would have access to, but I also have a well point next to the shelter I already have built. I never thought of water as being an issue.  I'm glad you brought that up. The creek is mostly runoff so probably not great for them
 
Timothy Norton
master gardener
Posts: 4246
Location: Upstate NY, Zone 5, 43 inch Avg. Rainfall
1721
monies home care dog fungi trees chicken food preservation cooking building composting homestead
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
One other note, it can be a challenge to get a farrier that works with donkeys. Not all of them do it. That is one area to look into as well in case you need to get them trimmed. It is less frequent than a horse but it does happen.
 
Stephen Cummings
Posts: 48
5
  • Likes 1
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
Thank you! That is something I haven't thought of.
 
Doe, a deer, a female deer. Ray, a pocketful of sun. Me, a name, I call my tiny ad ...
Switching from electric heat to a rocket mass heater reduces your carbon footprint as much as parking 7 cars
http://woodheat.net
reply
    Bookmark Topic Watch Topic
  • New Topic