Lovable and affectionate additions to a growing number of petting zoos and farms in the Western hemisphere, miniature donkeys originally hail from the Mediterranean part of the world. Recognized as great companions for humans for over fifty years, anyone considering buying minature donkeys for sale whether it's for breeding purposes, shows, or as a pet should give some thought to which sex, size, color, and price they are interested in.
Before setting out to find their new donkey, those who have never owned or cared for one before must learn what these animals need in terms of care, and then locate some respected breeders in the area. Sometimes it takes visiting several different farms and comparing the donkeys they have available for adoption. Caring breeders will also continue to assist all their adoptive families with information and advice when requested.
Some of the basic terminology used to distinguish a donkey by its age or sex include the following. A jennet or "jenny" is a female, a jack is an intact male capable of breeding, and a gelding is a male which has been castrated. Foals are babies from birth to weaning age, weanlings are young animals which no longer nurse from their mothers, and yearlings are donkeys between one and two years of age.
Females can breed as young as three years old and typically carry their foals for 11 to 13 months, and wean around 4 to 6 months. As adults, the average height range is 32 to 34 inches, and they normally weigh 250-350 pounds. Colors may be gray, brown, black, red, spotted or frosted. With proper care they can live 25 or 35 years.
Miniature donkeys are not house pets, they need sufficient pasture space outdoors to run around and exercise and they will also require shelter from the elements in the form of three-sided building or small barn. Whenever possible, they should be adopted with a sibling or other donkey since they are very social animals and do not like solitude.
If the main reason for adopting a donkey is as a pet, buyers have a wider selection of prospects as they likely care more about the animal's disposition than its size or color. A pair of geldings are the most affordable option, but some may prefer two jennets, two jacks, or one of each. In the future, unless breeding, it's best to have a jack gelded, or their hormones can make them restless.
Like other equine animals that graze, a donkey's primary food staple is grass, but this diet can also be supplemented with some hay or grain occasionally, in particular for pregnant jennets or young animals still growing. They should not be allowed to overeat as this leads to obesity and related illnesses. Fresh water in a water dispenser must be available, and it's also good to provide a mineral salt supplement and Selenium block.
A donkey need to visit the veterinarian regularly for vaccination, de-worming, and a Selenium booster if indicated. Since a Selenium deficiency can have reduce fertility and harm unborn foals, it must be treated if present. Hooves typically require trimming about 3 or 4 times each year by a farrier.
Before setting out to find their new donkey, those who have never owned or cared for one before must learn what these animals need in terms of care, and then locate some respected breeders in the area. Sometimes it takes visiting several different farms and comparing the donkeys they have available for adoption. Caring breeders will also continue to assist all their adoptive families with information and advice when requested.
Some of the basic terminology used to distinguish a donkey by its age or sex include the following. A jennet or "jenny" is a female, a jack is an intact male capable of breeding, and a gelding is a male which has been castrated. Foals are babies from birth to weaning age, weanlings are young animals which no longer nurse from their mothers, and yearlings are donkeys between one and two years of age.
Females can breed as young as three years old and typically carry their foals for 11 to 13 months, and wean around 4 to 6 months. As adults, the average height range is 32 to 34 inches, and they normally weigh 250-350 pounds. Colors may be gray, brown, black, red, spotted or frosted. With proper care they can live 25 or 35 years.
Miniature donkeys are not house pets, they need sufficient pasture space outdoors to run around and exercise and they will also require shelter from the elements in the form of three-sided building or small barn. Whenever possible, they should be adopted with a sibling or other donkey since they are very social animals and do not like solitude.
If the main reason for adopting a donkey is as a pet, buyers have a wider selection of prospects as they likely care more about the animal's disposition than its size or color. A pair of geldings are the most affordable option, but some may prefer two jennets, two jacks, or one of each. In the future, unless breeding, it's best to have a jack gelded, or their hormones can make them restless.
Like other equine animals that graze, a donkey's primary food staple is grass, but this diet can also be supplemented with some hay or grain occasionally, in particular for pregnant jennets or young animals still growing. They should not be allowed to overeat as this leads to obesity and related illnesses. Fresh water in a water dispenser must be available, and it's also good to provide a mineral salt supplement and Selenium block.
A donkey need to visit the veterinarian regularly for vaccination, de-worming, and a Selenium booster if indicated. Since a Selenium deficiency can have reduce fertility and harm unborn foals, it must be treated if present. Hooves typically require trimming about 3 or 4 times each year by a farrier.
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When you are looking for information about minature donkeys for sale, you should pay a visit to our web pages online here today. Additional details are available at http://quailrunfarmdonkeys.com now.
This article collected, selected and written by: Author Van Hoc
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