DONKEY TERMS

Jennet:  female donkey
Jack:  male donkey
Herd Sire: an exceptional jack used to sire foals in a breeding program
Gelding: castrated male (can no longer reproduce)
Foal:  baby donkey

 WEIGHT

You don't want your Miniature Donkey to get overweight but that does not mean you do not need to feed them a supplement. It takes a little practice but you will learn to assess your donkey's weight by looking at them on a regular basis to critique their body condition. Miniature Donkeys deposit excess fat in their neck, along the top of their loin and over their rump to their tail.

WEANING

Miniature Donkey foals are normally weaned between 4 to 6 months of age.  A foal should never be weaned from it's mother under the age of 4 months unless there are circumstances that might affect the health of either the foal or the mother.  Foals under the age of 4 months need their mothers milk as well as their mother's emotional support and herd socialization.  It is best to treat each weaning individually. At WolfHeart we wean all of our foals based on the Farmer's Almanac Best Days for Weaning. The moon phase does affect the ease of weaning.

SOCIALIZATION

Miniature Donkeys are very social animals and they LOVE attention!  If you have a single Miniature Donkey, you should always have another companion animal such as a pony, horse, mule or even a goat, sheep or llama.  Often times, Miniature Donkeys "buddy up" and develop close relationships with another Miniature Donkey. You will need to teach your donkey that is okay to be alone at times. So spend time separating them for brief periods so they can become confident for short periods on their own. If you have two donkeys that are best buddies, tie one donkey in a safe place and take the other donkey for a short walk. Reunite the buddies, this will help them understand that separating from their buddy is not permanent.

SHELTER

Miniature Donkeys are normally kept in herds, they are not stalled individually like horses. Miniature Donkeys require shade and some protection from severe weather. 

VACCINES

While Miniature Donkeys are very hardy, healthy animals, they do require annual preventative vaccinations for Eastern/Western Encephalomyelitis, Tetanus, Rhinopneumonitis, Influenza, Rabies and West Nile Virus. It is illegal for a Miniature Donkey to cross a state line without a negative Coggins test and health papers.  Check with your veterinarian to discuss the proper program for your area. South Carolina has different requirements than other areas of the country.

FEED & NUTRITION

Miniature Donkeys require a good quality hay and should have free access to fresh clean water and a trace mineral block at all times.  Grain should be fed in small amounts.  Normally, grain is only fed to foals, weanlings, lactating jennets and older adults who require special care.  A selenium supplement may be needed if the soil in your area is selenium deficient.  Check with you Agriculture Extension Agent or Veterinarian.

HOOF CARE

A farrier plays a very important role in your donkey's welfare.  The farrier trims and takes care of a donkeys hooves.  Your farrier should visit your farm every 12- 14 weeks to check all donkeys and trim or file as needed.

You should make it a habit of picking out your donkey's feet on a regular basis, especially when the ground is wet and muddy.  Take the time to inspect the hoof wall for cracks or chips and inspect the foot for thrush.  Thrush is a anaerobic bacterial infection of the donkey's frog.  Anaerobic means that it can't live in the presence of oxygen.  Thrush is easy to diagnose.  The tissue of the frog becomes soft and ragged with a black discharge.  The biggest indicator is a very offensive odor.  The best defense is to keep your donkeys feet clean and dry.  There are many thrush treatment remedies that you can purchase any place you buy equine supplies.  White Line Disease is also common in donkeys. It is the combination of a fungus and a bacteria that live and grow under the hoof wall. The best cure is getting air to the affected area. Your farrier should be able to identify and treat.

WORMING

All donkeys should be included in a regular parasite control program.  Regular dewormings and pasture management will help to reduce or prevent any parasite problem.  At WolfHeart we worm on a schedule January 1, April 1, June 1, August 1, and  October 1.   Ivermectrin, Safeguard and Rotation 2 are the products we use. We do not recommend Quest for donkeys.

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