Miniature Donkey???

[Old John]

Hi Y'all,

I got a call from Youngest DB, about an hour ago. And DSW Sharon said
I needed to ask Y'all for some information...............

DB & SiL have a couple quareter horses, and some Miniature horses.
Some one he works with gave him a Miniature Donkey. It's about 5
years old. And, they don't have room for it.........It's a little jack.
It's about 33" tall.
He's trying to give it to me. Price is right, hunnh.

He said, it won't take hardly any care. And, it'd be a good Pet, for us.
We have a 140' on a side, square, in back of the house, fenced for our Dobermans.
And, there is a lean-to shelter, on the back of the little garage.
We have plenty of pasture, about 6 acres, I mow. But, it's not fenced yet.


Questions..............
How noisy are he?
How much hay will he eat?
How much vet care will he require?
Do I need to trim hoofs?, DB said not.
We cut dogs nails & dose them, when needed.

Should I take it? It's Free! Or should I run?
I'm retired & have time on my hands.
Right now, he's sharing his stall with a black Lab.
And they get along fine.

We're gonna see him Sunday.
What do ya think??

Thanks for y'ur help.
Take care.

[Ozarkguy]

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Glad I can help. Under critter section see:

Critters / Miniature Donkeys

Care and feeding, housing, history and more. Hope this helps and have a good holiday!

Ozarkguy

.
p.s.
"Should I take it? It's Free! Or should I run?
I'm retired & have time on my hands.
Right now, he's sharing his stall with a black Lab.
And they get along fine." Sounds good to me. Some can be a bit testy, but this one is already getting along with the lab is a good sign. I especially like the fact that many will actually become your guard dog/donkey protecting your other critters and livestock.

[thedonkeyman]

Donkeys sound off, when it is time to feed and yes they require attention and feed, plus feet care. An acre of good pasture would be nice with a shed and hay in the winter months, then there is worming, sure your ready for this.
IF this JACK is not registered he should be casterated. Then he would be a good pet for a child, and a good youth project.
Donkeys require ATTENTION. Can you provide more than just a pen for him to stand in? Granted he is free, but nothing is free, he has to be casterated, just to start with.
ADA CEO Dale McCall

[KCM]

We have considered obtaining miniature donkeys and when we do we will definitely get more than one because they are social herd animals and one will get lonely. They live a long time and if 5 years old now could still be alive in the year 2040.

[arabian knight]

I have had 3 mini donks over the years. And they are so nice to have around. The first one I had was a really nice Jack. I had him in the House many times and even went for rides in the backseat of my car~!. Never gelded him until I sold him due to my health. And one I traded a Miniature Zebu steer for a mini donk. He was neat also I would go into his pen with my mower pulling a tilt trailer to "ick" his pen out and many times he would just come over and put his head in my lap. That is so cool.
They train different then horses though because they are smarter then horses. They can see and think WAY ahead of you so you should never try to force them to do anything only ASK them~!.
I know the next one I had it only took one time and 10 minutes and I had that little Jack walking up a ramp an into the house~!! He would come in and watch TV. Now I have had only one at a time just like I have had most all of my horses and donks. But spending lots of time with them helps them to not get lonely.
They are just so darn hugable like little teddy bears in the winter time. Here is a pic of one in the house saying HI as I took a pi using the web cam~!

and another donkey watching TV~! He liked to come in also.

And for people that would like to know how the Donkey got its "Cross" on its back here is one story about that.

And right now I don't have any mini donkeys but I do have one 8 months old Miniature horse that is really neat to train. And I will be adding him to the long list of horses and donkeys I have had in the house and have housebroken them~!!!

[Wendy]

You should take him & bring him to my house. I had to sell ours a couple of years ago when DH lost his job. I miss them terribly. They are herd animals, my BIL has a jack he is wanting to sell, but I didn't want to get just one. They do need their feet trimmed & require vaccinations & worming like full size horses. They are great pets. My kids loved them. So if you decide you don't want him, just bring him on over! Oh, I second the suggestion for gelding him. It ran me about $100 to have mine done.

[Beltane]

We would like to get mini donkeys in the future...maybe next summer if everything works out. We have been reading up on them and talking to folks that already have them. What adorable creatures.

Thanks for posting the information links above.

[Old John]

I knew I could count on Y'all for some good solid information.

DSW Sharon & I have talked this one over, Six ways from Sunday.
And, it looks like we are going to pass on this one.
It is only ONE.
He'd need a buddy for companionship,(More big Dollars, there).
He's a 5 year old Stud. We don't want a Stud for a pet. So he'd have to be
"Cut". And, equines that are "Cut Proud" sometimes have a few problems.

In doing the study, homework, checking how much fence we'd need to be putting up, plus building a little Barn/shelter, at least.
Winter's coming on.Weather's about to turn bad.
And, it, Looks like more money than we want to put into another "Pet", even a Really Cute one.

Like someone said: "Nothing is Free!" And, certainly this little Donkey would not be.
We decided to "Let Our Heads Rule, Instead of Our Hearts."
Thanks again, Y'all.

[SmartAZ]

Hey, I know a lot about miniature donkeys. Gimme a stamp and I'll write it down for you.

They are social animals which means they need lots of companionship. If you get one you need another one right away. Noise? Look up "bray". Imagine a 500 lb rooster.

[kars1995]

I love 'em! Ours is just like an overgrown dog. Follows us around and lets us know when he wants to eat. He's not too loud, except when he wants some attention at 2:30 in the morning. Plus, he's another playmate for our dogs. :-)