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Buying and Keeping a Donkey

Buying a donkey is a long term commitment as they can live up to 40 years.  Here are some tips to help you decide wether a donkey is suitable for you and your family or not.  

 

Choosing the Right Donkey

You will need to think about what type of donkey you want, what size and which gender. Jennets (females) and Geldings (castrated males) - make equally good pets, with geldings being rather more outgoing and willing if you wish to ride or drive. Uncastrated males – stallions (Jacks) and Colts - are not suitable as domestic pets and should be handled by breeders only as they are extremely strong and can be unpredictable around Jennets.  

 

Housing

Half an acre per animal is preferred and electric fencing is the most effective means of keeping your donkey where he should be. Donkeys are quite happy in the dry hot weather of summer and autumn, but require shelter against the cold and the rain.   Unlike horses, donkeys have a single layer coat which is not fully waterproof.  Whilst rugs are not essential, a rug will help keep your Donkeys warm and dry during the colder wetter months.

 

Feeding 

It is important to know that a Donkey is NOT a horse and their diet differs from their equine  cousins.  Donkeys should be allowed to graze on good pasture.  However Donkeys sometimes require supplementary feeding.  They enjoy bran, wheaten or oaten chaff, crushed barley, lucerne chaff and straw.  Grains should be avoided in large quantities, and high protein foods such as processed equine pellets, which can cause colic as well as a unsightly crest of fat on the neck which will remain for life.  As with all animals, donkeys require a constant supply of clean, fresh water clean troughs or containers. 

DO NOT feed the following - Lawn clippings, Cattle, Sheep, Goat or Alpaca feed as these feeds contain toxic levels of Urea and Ammonia.  Oleanders, Rhododendrons and Bracken Fern are also fatally toxic.

 

 

Companionship
Ideally your Donkey should have company of its own kind but where this is not possible, a horse, goat or alpaca will soon become your Donkey’s best friend.

 

Health Care

You will need to enlist the services of a farrier and veterinary surgeon willing and able to look after your donkey.  Donkeys need regular hoof trimming and annual vaccinations against both Strangles and Tetanus. Donkeys also require regular drenching to protect against parasites. 

 

And Finally........
Remember a Donkey is a lifetime commitment, so when choosing your Donkey take the time to get to know these affectionate, amazing animals.  Your Mini Donkey only needs the above points and lots and lots of cuddles, and he will love you unconditionally in  return.  You are always welcome to visit us and see just how rewarding  owning one of these endearing equines  is.


 

Ginger Biscuits for Donkeys and Humans

Our Donkeys love ginger biscuits and occasionally a little tipple of ginger beer

(Flat of course!).

8oz (220g) Flour
2 teaspoons ground ginger
8 oz (220g) Demerara sugar
4 oz (110g) butter
1 large egg
1 level teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda
1 tablespoon milk

Mix flour, ginger and sugar together.  With fingers rub the butter into the mixture.  Dissolve soda in the milk.  Add the egg to the milk and soda with a wooden spoon.  Pour the milk mixture onto the flour mixture.  Mix well with your hands.  Roll the mixture into balls.  Place the balls onto a greased baking tray, well separated, and press each ball with a fork on top.  Bake in moderate oven 325 F (200 c) for 30 minutes.  -  ENJOY!

A Word on Terminology

Ashington Park breeds Miniature Mediterranean Donkeys bred from stock imported from America and Miniature Donkeys of Irish x Mediterranean descent.  All of our Donkeys are under 36”and therefore are registered as Miniature / Mini Mediterranean Donkeys.   Some breeders in Australia use the term "American Miniature Mediterranean Donkey" - this is misleading.  
As all Miniature Mediterranean donkeys in Australia come from imported stock that originated in the United States, we have asked the American Donkey and Mule Society for clarification on this term, please see below for their interpretation of the term.
 
Hi Sarah - there is no ‘American Miniature Mediterranean’.  There is Miniature Mediterranean, the official breed name, for donkeys previously registered with Miniature Donkey Registry, or those who have both parents already registered as Miniature Mediterranean’s.  
All others are American (or French, or Canadian, or English/Irish, whatever) Miniature Donkeys.
 
Thanks, 
Leah Patton, Office Manager, ADMS