Caring for your Donkey

Donkeys are delightful creatures, personable, intelligent and like all animals they need correct training, care and handling. Donkeys are gregarious animals and enjoy company and attention. If you cannot spend time with them, it may be an idea to purchase two donkeys to keep each other company.

When you go to look at a prospective donkey, it is a good idea to take someone along who is experienced with equine animals. The donkey should be friendly and approachable; be wary of donkeys that you cannot get close to or ones that won't willingly come to you after a few minutes. Be wary too of donkeys that are too pushy, attempt to bite, kick or knock you over.

The donkey should look healthy and content. His coat should be shiny, his eyes bright and alert, ears forward and feet neatly trimmed.

Housing for your Donkey

Donkeys are hardy creatures and can live a long time with the correct care, but they do need protection against the elements. Elaborate stabling is not necessary; a simple 3 sided shed with sawdust or wood shavings on the floor will suffice. It you don't have a shed, make sure that the paddock has a protective break of trees or scrub; donkeys don't mind the rain so much but it is the combination of that and the wind that really chills them. During the cooler months, consider rugging your donkey up. Ensure that it is properly fitted, otherwise it may be uncomfortable and unsafe for the animal. Check that the rug is sitting squarely and that the rug hasn't been lost or torn.

Feeding the Donkey

Donkeys are closer to goats in their feed taste than they are to horses. They need roughage and usually obtain this when browsing on natural scrub, blackberries, bark and trees. In a domestic situation, this can be provided with a daily diet of Meadow or Oaten hay.

Never feed your donkeys straw instead of hay. Straw has no nutritional value and its long strands can bind and entangle the intestines, causing sever colic and even death.

Donkeys can be given ‘hard feed', which is a term given to any grain or commercially manufactures feed including pellets and cubes. Hard feed is richer so only feed it to your donkeys if they are not doing well enough on hay alone or in colder weather when donkeys may need more feed.

Donkeys will happily feed on most kinds of fruit and vegetables, but always in moderation.

Never feed your pet any meat which is poisonous to donkeys and horses, which includes all poultry feeds containing meat meal. Do not feed your donkey rhubarb leaves, rhododendrons, wheat or potato peels.

Like ponies, donkeys are prone to putting on weight which can lead to serious health issues. Monitor their diet carefully and if you do need to reduce their daily intake, do not stop feeding altogether. They must have some roughage to keep their intestines active and moving or the donkey may suffer from colic.

If you are ever unsure about a certain food item, consult your vet first.

Whether you are giving your donkey hay or concentrate, always keep your feed buckets clean, washing them out each time after they have been used and leaving them upside down to drain. Do not feed your donkeys hay on the ground where it can get trampled and wasted and where donkeys can pick up worm eggs. Instead, use a hay net or a strong solid bin such as a bathtub or a feed bin nailed to a shed or a fence.

Health

Donkeys are not prone to a lot of ailments and their health patterns usually follow the same lines as horses. It is important to get to know your donkeys and learn their habits and behaviour patterns. If they appear to be behaving out of character, not eating or generally looking poorly, consult your vet.

Donkeys, like horses, can get colic and other gastric problems. They may suffer skin ailments, especially in moister climates.

Summer brings eye troubles which are caused by flies and dust.

Overfeeding and lack of exercise leads to overweight animals and hoof problems.

Most of these problems are easily remedied, so consult your vet for advice.

Hoof Problems

Hoof problems are common in donkeys. They can suffer from split and dry hoofs, seedy toe and abscesses. Their hooves need regular trimming to keep their feet growing correctly and healthy, which should be done every 8-10 weeks depending on how rocky or grassy your paddock is. Find a good farrier who is experienced with donkeys and understands them. Donkeys stand more on their toes than horses and your farrier should know how to trim them correctly. It is important that your donkey is trained to stand quietly for the farrier and his feet can be picked up without a fuss; this will make the farrier's job quicker and easier.

Worming

Donkeys can be afflicted with the same type of internal parasites as horses. If your donkey's coat seems dull and he appears to be pot bellied, then the animal probably needs worming. There are numerous commercial horse wormers available in either granule form which can be put directly into the feed, or paste which is usually given to the animal directly between slices of bread.

Lice

Lice are small, grey parasites that live on the skin of donkeys. They can bite, causing itching and irritation, and usually appear in warmer weather.

Donkeys that have lice tend to rub and scratch against anything that they can find and also bald patches may appear.

Lice can be treated with washing your donkey in products such as Malawash or Asuntol or applying anti-lice powder. Consult your vet for further details.

Other Animals

Donkeys can be very territorial and have a natural aversion to dogs, which stems from their survival instincts in the wild. They also do not tend to mix well with sheep and goats, but there are always exceptions to the rule.

Donkeys are usually more compatible with cattle and horses.