Frequently Asked Questions


General

General


Q. Is the miniature donkey a real breed or just the result of breeding for small size?

All donkeys are the same breed and from the same root ancestors of Nubian and Somalian asses. Miniature, standard, and mammoth are just size distinctions. Miniatures were created by breeding down in size over many generations to create a small donkey that could work in mines and who could carry pack loads under tree limbs. Mammoths were created by breeding up in size over many generations to create a large draft donkey for pulling dray wagons and towing barges. Terms like Mediterranean, Sardinian, Andalusian, Maltese, Majorcan, Poitou, Du Berry, and Iberian identify the region where a particular donkey came from or where his ancestors came from, but they are not different breeds. Breed characteristics relate to donkeys from certain regions had a heavier or lighter hair coat, longer or shorter ears, higher-set or lower-set eyes, heavier or lighter bone, but the structure and proportion of all donkeys is the same regardless of their size. For more information, please go to ADMS: http://www.lovelongears.com/faq


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Q. Do all donkeys have a cross?

Not all donkeys have a cross. Mammoths do not. Only standards and miniatures do, but it may not be visual.


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Q. How old are jennets when they begin cycling?

Jennets 4 to 5 months old begin having short, erratic heat cycles. Their heat cycles usually go unnoticed until they are 8 to 9 months old.


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Q. How old should a jennet be when bred for the first time?

She should be physically mature before breeding, meaning she has a full mouth of adult teeth. This usually occurs at about 54 months of age, but can be as young as 42 months old or as old as 64 months old in miniature donkeys. Standard donkeys at about 64 months old, and large standard and mammoth size donkeys may not have a full mouth of adult teeth until they are 72 to 90 months old.


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Q. What age is too old to breed a jennet?

Since donkeys can live to be 30-40 years old, a jennet could still be bred at the age of 20-25+ years, depending on her health and condition and previous breeding history.


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Q. How often does a jennet come into heat?

Every 21 to 35 days with an average of 28 days.


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Q. How long is the estrus cycle of a donkey?

3 to 7 days, with an average of 5 days.


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Q. How long is the gestation of a donkey?

340 to 390 days with an average of 375 days.


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Q. How old are jacks before their testicles drop into their scrotum?

The testicles descend through the inguinal ring into the scrotum in the 4-6 weeks before birth and should be present in the scrotum at birth. The inguinal ring closes 3 to 5 days after birth. If one or both testicles have not descended into the scrotum before birth, the jack is a monorchid or a cryptorchid, an inherited genetic defect.


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Q. What other inherited genetic defects are found in miniature donkeys?

Malocclusion, which is an off bite (parrot mouth or monkey mouth), and clubfoot.


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Q. How old should a miniature donkey be before it is trained for driving?

The hocks do not mature until the donkey is 4 to 4½ years old, so it should not be subjected to the stress on the hocks of pushing the weight of a cart and driver until after it is physically mature (full mouth of adult teeth).


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Q. How long do miniature donkeys live?

They can have a lifespan of 40 years, with the average being between 30-40 years.


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Q. What should I feed my donkeys?

Donkeys are feed efficient. It does not mean they eat less than a horse proportional to their size, but they do get more nutrition out of what they eat. Since horses are feed inefficient, most of the high protein, high fat feeds designed for horses are not the best feeds for donkeys. Since donkeys require a low fat, high fiber diet, our feeding program consists of a "donkey diet" specifically blended to meet the donkeys needs and requirements, a vitamin-mineral supplement, and forage of grass or grass hay. We also provide free choice of loose white salt and minerals and fresh clean water 24/7.


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Q. Are donkeys basically like a horse?

A big difference between the two is that horses react while donkeys think, evaluate, decide, and then act, not react. When speaking of conformation, a donkey should be structured like a donkey. It is similar in some ways to the sound structure of a horse, but proportionally longer in the torso with a larger head ratio. A sound leg structure is the same for a donkey and a horse. There is a slight difference in the mechanics of motion of a donkey compared to a horse. A horse has a more forward thrust to his locomotion with an even cadence to his walk. A donkey has the same four-beat rhythm in his walk, but has a longer pause between beats because he plants a foot before the next foot lifts. However, the donkey should have the same, clean parallel travel that a horse should have.


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Q. Do donkeys make good pets?

Yes. Donkeys have such loving and sweet-natured dispositions and can be so entertaining to watch their playful and personable antics! Geldings and jennets make wonderful pets with geldings being our preferred choice; however, it is our opinion that an intact jack donkey is not the best choice for a pet. He is a breeding animal from the moment he stands to nurse.


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Q. Is there a difference between pet and show quality donkeys?

There should be no difference in structure when looking for a donkey, whether for pet or show. Of course there are always going to be exceptions; and as in any breed of animal, some will have more desirable traits and appearances that make them stand out and considered “show” quality.


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Q. What should I look for when buying a donkey to breed?

Structure is the most important quality you want in breeding stock. Good stock produces good stock. There is no such thing as breeding up in quality. A good one bred to a poor one produces a donkey that may look good, but it is carrying the poor genetics. Those can't be erased and it can be devastating to a breeding program when those poor genetics pop up. Breed the best structured, clean genetics to the best structured, clean genetics and it will build a solid breeding program for you. It is also recommended that inexperienced breeders start with a proven mature jennet that is less likely to have birthing complications.


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Q. How much land does it require for a donkey?

Donkeys are browsers like goats, not grazers like horses, cattle, and sheep. Therefore, the requirements for pasture is less demanding than that of grazing livestock and is what makes them more attractive for small acreage farms.


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Q. Do donkeys really dislike dogs?

Donkeys have a natural dislike of dogs. They can be introduced to family pets and will possibly tolerate them if socialized when young. It is this natural instinct that make them a popular choice to use as “guardians” for livestock against coyotes and other unwanted predators. However, it is not recommended that miniature donkeys be purchased to protect livestock due to their small size. Although they have the same instincts, it is more difficult for them to ward off predators, especially a pack of dogs or coyotes.


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Q. Can I own just one donkey if I have a horse or other farm animal to be it's companion?

Donkeys are herd animals and should never be kept alone. They will bond with other livestock such as goats, sheep, cattle and horses, but their choice would be another donkey (they know the difference). We recommend buying donkeys in pairs, when possible.


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