Donkeys as guard animal

[Disco Paul]

Thinking about getting a donkey for a guard for my goats. Has anyone used a donkey? What do you think about them?
Paul

[primal1]

I had friends who swore by their donkey and they once saw it take care of a stray dog mighty fast.

[dbarjacres]

Jennets are best, geldings are usually okay, jacks kill little critters. DO NOT GET A JACK AS A GUARD ANIMAL!!!!! They may do it in play or in meanness, but little critters will die (sheep, goats). Try to find one that's used to whatever you're guarding already, or ask for a trial period.

[Bearfootfarm]

Personally I prefer dogs as guard animals, especially ones like these ferocious Maremmas

[primal1]

Originally Posted by dbarjminis

Jennets are best, geldings are usually okay, jacks kill little critters. DO NOT GET A JACK AS A GUARD ANIMAL!!!!! They may do it in play or in meanness, but little critters will die (sheep, goats). Try to find one that's used to whatever you're guarding already, or ask for a trial period.

you seem to know your donkeys, the one my friend had was grey with a brown cross down it's back but i forget what they are called would you know?

[stacygoats]

I thought about getting a donkey, so I called on a ad in the paper on a mini one for sale. As I spoke to the gentlemean he stated he had to get rid of it because it had killed one of their goats and injured two others.
Can't remember if it was a jack, but it turned me off of the donkey option.

[cowgirlracer]

We have a jack & a jenny. So far the jenny has done ok, but the jack has killed 3 kids, and wounded just about every goat we have, and our horse and our heifer. He can really make an @$$ out of himself! We put our horned bucks in with him for an attitude adjustment - it helps.

Anne
Cowgirlracer

[ozark_jewels]

Every experience I have had with guard donkeys has convinced me to stay with my LGD's. Donkey's either didn't like the goats(these were jennies), or didn't do a good job guarding. And as has been said, NEVER put a jack around goats!
Some people have had good experiences with guard donkeys, but I am not one of them. I always reccomend a pair or two of good LGDs.

[GoslingFever]

You know, we'd been warned that donkeys will maim and kill small animals. We also read an article about using them for guarding.
We got our first donk, a standard jenny, and she is the sweetest southern belle this side of the Mississippi. She walks very softly, watches the JRT's run around her feet; no aggression.

We then got a mini donk, Paco, because we love Beatrice so much. He is gelded, but he acts like he has enough testosterone to take on War Admiral at the gate. He has stomped one JRT (not 'bad' but enough he can't be trusted) and chases the goats, kicks, bites, and herds the above mentioned standard, and is really an aggressive little bugger.
Good with people though. His last home he was a starter for horseless 4H kids - he can be led around, climbed around, kissed, and he's great. He just doesn't like little animals.

Age may also have a little something to do with it - Beatrice is 24. Paco is 4.

[Patty0315]

Our Donkey is only a year old. She is doing great with the sheep and goats. She can get a bit pushy when it comes to feed or if they are bugging her when she wants attention from humans.