When at all possible we try to find homes for our foals in pairs. Most who care for horses will also care for miniature donkeys. If in any doubt about the calorie count, sugar level or the quality of any feed, be sure and ask the manufacturer or seller for exact levels. makes him a candidate for becoming a quality herd-sire. Any combination works, it just depends on your personal preference. (Geldings make the BEST and most economical pets!). The amount of the chemical is low in fern leaves and your donkey would need to eat quite a bit of the plant to show any signs of an issue, it is worth noting because thiamin is necessary for proper nerve function. Be careful to cut fruit or vegetables in a size that allows the donkey to safely eat them and prevent any choking hazard. There are a lot of different pellets on the market, manufactured by a lot of different companies. Your best bet is to buy a high fiber pellet that is made for equines prone to laminitis, as these are usually high in fiber and generally dont have a lot of sugar. Always make sure your feed quality is as high as possible. There are both anatomical and cyclical differences seen in jennets compared to mares. 5. Horses usually live to be 25-30 years old, donkeys average 30-40, Miniature donkeys average 25 years, and Mules can live into their 40's. We have had EXCELLENT luck planting hay and pasture mix seed from Millborn Seeds. The average lifespan of a mini donkey is 33 years, so you'll definitely have your fuzzy companion around for a very long time. Donkey must be provided with routine, regular medical treatment and vaccinations by a qualified equine veterinarian. While donkeys still do live in Sardinia and other parts of Italy today, as we said before, there are not nearly as many as there once were. Donkeys come in a variety of sizes from the Miniature Mediterranean (under 36 inches) to the elegant Mammoth Jackstock (14 hands and up ). Wilted or Dry Red Maple leaves contain toxins that can cause the donkeys red blood cells to break down, hampering the ability of the blood to carry oxygen. Potentially, the donkeys liver, kidneys, and other organs may also be damaged. Be sure to understand that only a pound of these leaves can be fatal to the mini donkey. Unless it has been boiled, it is best to avoid linseed straw. Linseed seeds contain a chemical that is poisonous to mini donkeys, and it is very difficult to be sure that the seed has not been left in the straw. We send new owners off with a packet of information on how to care for their new donkeys. by Ryan | May 27, 2019 | Health & Care, Learn. Donkeys hooves must be trimmed by a qualified farrier at minimum every 6 to 12 weeks. But if you are just in the research stage gathering information in order to better prepare yourself for miniature donkey ownership, then this page is for you! - This is a donkey baby from the time it is born until the time it is weaned from its mother. How long do mini donkeys live? In addition, since theyre a domesticated breed, they dont have any of the struggles that feral donkeys face in the wild. Their small size is natural. Haworth All other graphics designed by Julia Others could get away with only 2 times per year. Weanling - A young donkey that has been separated from its mother A miniature donkey jennet will carry her foal for 11 to 13 months on average. All the way back in 2007, Jenny lived in Illinois and bred show quality miniature donkeys. This is a condition that, while normally not fatal, can lead to a great deal of pain and suffering. Chaff is formed from forage cut in small pieces, as opposed to long grass stems and stalks in the hay. Chaff doesnt just provide forage (which should be the foundation of any minis diet) but chaff also encourages the donkeys chewing. Most donkeys need their hooves trimmed 3-4 times per year. Red Maple Leaves: Red Maple Leaves are toxic to mini donkeys; however, typically worry only needs to surround maple leaves that are wilting or dried. It seems that red maple leaves that are attached to the tree and in a growth start do not harm animals. Typically, donkeys will get access to wilted leaves after a storm, where a tree may lose a branch, or in the fall, when the wind will blow leaves into the donkeys pasture. This seems to work only when they are the only two animals present. Thiamin deficiencies may eventually lead to neurological impairment. Adoption fee is $400 per donkey. A second grain that's widely used is called horse & mule feed or sweet feed. This blend will respond well to fertile soils and is highly suitable for grazing or multi-cut haying systems. If youd like to learn more about their products or have any questions, theyve been very helpful whenever weve needed to contact them. Due to their territorial nature, introduction to livestock must be supervised and take place over safe fencing. We maintain contact with a large percentage of past customers through the years and quite often, they become our friends, not just our customers. If we are having a good summer with plenty of rain to keep our pastures growing nicely, then we sometimes cut back on hay through the summer. Miniature donkeys are very easy keepers. Use care to make sure your donkeys are not able to ingest any plants that are considered toxic to horses or other equines. Please also note that there has been some research that points to the leaves of sugar and silver maples containing the same toxic chemicals as red maple leaves; however, that chemical is less toxic in these leaves. Mini-donkeys are very trainable, so they're used for a variety of tasks in a variety of environments: Companionship. donkey, it is important to be aware that owning a donkey is a long-term commitment; the average age for donkeys in the UK is 27 but donkeys can live to over 40 years old! Young, entire male donkeys (known as 'colts') can be more difficult to handle as they mature sexually just as they would in the wild and as they reach Given proper care, a miniature donkey will live for around 25-35 years. A miniature donkey that is kept in captivity can live anywhere from 20 to 35 years of age. A miniature donkey does not reach maturity until the age of 3. Some breeders and some veterinarians are suggesting equine have been "over de-wormed" and "over vaccinated" through the years and as a result are basically developing immunities to the vaccinations and dewormers. As always, refer to your veterinarian before making any changes to the animals diet. Since we began our breeding farm, we have always wormed every three months, usually with Zimectrin, Ivermectin, or Equimectrin. Our vet will not geld a donkey until he reaches 11-12 months of age, and even then only if they are "ready". The average adult donkey will weigh between 250-350 pounds. Miniature donkeys prefer to eat in small amounts, quite often. Some of the larger animals (Jackstock, Draft horses, Zebras) are not mature and filled out until age 5. Weve seen some equine pellets that have added cereal grains, which youll want to avoid using for your mini donkeys. Also, avoid any of the pellets that are referred to as mixes as these will generally have cereal grain added also. Life expectancy for miniature donkeys is anywhere from 25 - 35+ years, making donkey ownership an important lifelong commitment! In small amounts, miniature donkeys can be fed different fruits and vegetables. Feed your donkey no more than two fruit a day (for a donkey with healthy weight) to provide variety, vitamins and will also encourage a healthy appetite. Vegetables are a welcome variety to the donkeys normal food, especially when the grass is sparse. DO NOT feed starchy potatoes, leeks, anything from the brassica family, onions, garlic, pitted fruits and NOTHING that has any mold or has fermented which will be toxic to a mini donkey. Silage: Silage should be avoided as much as possible for your donkeys health and well being. Silage has a high moisture level as well as a low PH level. The Miniature Donkey written record accepts miniature donkeys who live 36 and under. It is a diverse blend of the most productive cool-season grasses on the market and we use improved varieties to keep performance at the highest level possible. Vaughn. The only thing we do not encourage is keeping an intact jack as a pet. For comparison, standard donkeys range from 36 to 48 inches (92 to 123 centimeters) tall and weigh 400 to 500 pounds (181 to 227 kilograms). How long do animals live? I want to adopt two donkeys but have many questions. If you are looking to purchase your first miniature donkey, take your time, do some research and compare donkeys from farm to farm! Clean, fresh water must be supplied to the donkey at all times. Foals are weaned from their mothers from 4 to 6 months of age. There are three main types of donkeys: wild, feral and domesticated. Donkeys, much like deer and goats, are by nature browsing animals. Their diet feeding and grazing areas will need to be restricted to prevent overgrazing which will lead quickly to weight gain and eventually an overweight animal. While donkeys tend to operate best when fed grass, there are several other food options for your mini donkey that may have specific needs: In winter months, when it is cold and the grass is either sparse or covered with snow, you will need to feed your donkeys good quality hay. Be sure to create a solid relationship with the hay supplier and make sure they are able to supply you with the same quality hay all winter season.