Recommended web site: www.vicnet.net.au/~donkeysh
Donkey care:
General:<o:p></o:p>
If you are considering buying a donkey, there are several things you need to consider- most importantly; this is a pet that will be with you for 40-50 years. Gelding and/or jenny donkeys make wonderful pets- they are very friendly creatures, and once you have earned your animal’s trust, you will have a loyal and affectionate companion. Because donkeys are a herd animal by nature, you should always have at least two donkeys. One on its own will become lonely, and a lonely donkey is a noisy donkey. A jack (“complete” male) should never, ever be kept as a pet. Many jacks are friendly, but they are often unpredictable, and can be very dangerous to both their human companions and their animal companions.<o:p></o:p>
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Feeding:<o:p></o:p>
For hand-feeding to be kept to a minimum, there should be approximately 1 acre of pasture per donkey. If your donkey is to be hand fed, you should provide 1 biscuit of grass hay morning and night. Donkeys should not be fed lucerne hay on a regular basis, as it is too rich for them and may cause problems such as laminitis and colic. It is also important that donkeys are not able to reach foods such as animal pellets, some grains and bread, as these can cause obstructive colic, a potentially life-threatening illness. If you suspect that your donkey may have eaten any of these foods, you should call a vet immediately.<o:p></o:p>
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Shelter & Fencing:<o:p></o:p>
Donkeys are notorious escape artists, and many are skilled in unlatching gates, turning door handles, etc. Some of ours have been known to let themselves out of their paddocks and turn up on the veranda to peer through the windows!! Fences and gates therefore should be very secure. Many donkeys dislike shelters, but if your donkey gets sick, it may be necessary to stable him/her, and so your paddock should also have a 3 sided shelter with a dirt floor.
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Health Care:<o:p></o:p>
Your donkey should be groomed, have its hooves picked out and its eyes cleaned, at least once per week. This serves two purposes: first, it helps to form a bond between you and your donkey; second, it enables you to make a thorough examination of the donkey, so that if there are any problems they can be detected at an early stage, enabling treatment to be applied as soon as possible. Thus not only does this routine makes your donkey look good, it is also a sure way of maintaining its good health.<o:p></o:p>
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In addition to this, you should also have your donkey’s hooves trimmed by a farrier every 12 weeks, and he/she should be wormed at the same time. An equine dentist should examine your donkey’s teeth every two years or so. Your donkey should also be treated with fly repellent (legs only) and a delousing powder in the relevant seasons. In Australia, this is roughly November-March for flies, and April-September for lice. Your donkey will require anti-tetanus shots- your vet can advise you on this.<o:p></o:p>
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Finally: donkeys have a very high pain threshold, which often makes it difficult to catch injury/illness in its early stages. If your donkey appears unwell and/or distressed please do not hesitate to call your vet.<o:p></o:p>
