Mini donkeys 11 months

amjj0507

Just born
Joined
May 30, 2024
Messages
1
Reaction score
3
Points
4
Hello I have two mini donkeys a Jack and Jenny, the Jack has started ripped her back apart biting her and making her raw. It is heartbreaking, I have the vet scheduled for a few days to geld him. I am wondering how long will it take for him to stop doing this? Will his personality change now that he is already harassing her? This is terrible it makes me sick to my stomach to watch him drop her to the ground. He is definitely not mating with her not that I have seen anyway. The vet does not seem to concerns about him getting her pregnant. Help please
 

Mini Horses

Herd Master
Joined
Sep 4, 2015
Messages
10,795
Reaction score
35,363
Points
758
Location
S coastal VA
He can get her pregnant. Vet may not be concerned but, can happen. May already have.

Donkeys ARE rough in their breeding. Castration may help his attacks but also may not. I had a jack who bred all but one of my jennets well. One -- he attacked and bit. Could NOT let them be together. For some reason, he didn't like her. Other 20+, ok.

Separate them!!! Donkeys will attack to kill. Keep them apart. A couple months after castration, let them fenceline together for a while. Then try them under supervision to see if he stops. If still attacking, one has to go, as it won't stop 99% of the time. If attacks are only part of breeding for him, testosterone drop may do just fine! Or muzzle him a while -- he'll get over it or gone. :old
 
Last edited:

Baymule

Herd Master
Joined
Aug 22, 2010
Messages
35,879
Reaction score
111,167
Points
893
Location
East Texas
I do not allow mean animals on my farm. Ever.

If you have other animals on your farm, he may attack and kill them. Example: you have sheep. (Pretend) he gets along with the sheep. They have lambs. Suddenly there is something that does not “belong” and he kills it. Donkeys are very intelligent but they do have their ways.

Your Jenny is probably bred. I hope castrating your Jack calms him down.
 

Moon888

Ridin' The Range
Joined
Nov 7, 2024
Messages
22
Reaction score
53
Points
63
I do not allow mean animals on my farm. Ever.

If you have other animals on your farm, he may attack and kill them. Example: you have sheep. (Pretend) he gets along with the sheep. They have lambs. Suddenly there is something that does not “belong” and he kills it. Donkeys are very intelligent but they do have their ways.

Your Jenny is probably bred. I hope castrating your Jack calms him down.
Wow! I did not know that donkeys would kill another farm animal : (
 

Moon888

Ridin' The Range
Joined
Nov 7, 2024
Messages
22
Reaction score
53
Points
63
I do not allow mean animals on my farm. Ever.

If you have other animals on your farm, he may attack and kill them. Example: you have sheep. (Pretend) he gets along with the sheep. They have lambs. Suddenly there is something that does not “belong” and he kills it. Donkeys are very intelligent but they do have their ways.

Your Jenny is probably bred. I hope castrating your Jack calms him down.
Shocking revelation : (
 

Mini Horses

Herd Master
Joined
Sep 4, 2015
Messages
10,795
Reaction score
35,363
Points
758
Location
S coastal VA
Shocking but true -- both situations. Not every donk but, some will.

I found this more of a concern with singular animals than herd. It is always a consideration to be aware of. Plus one used to their herd of sheep/goats often attack the ram/buck when added for breeding. They are not so much flight animals from predator as they are to protect their own. We just don't always know what they consider that to be.
 

Moon888

Ridin' The Range
Joined
Nov 7, 2024
Messages
22
Reaction score
53
Points
63
Hello I have two mini donkeys a Jack and Jenny, the Jack has started ripped her back apart biting her and making her raw. It is heartbreaking, I have the vet scheduled for a few days to geld him. I am wondering how long will it take for him to stop doing this? Will his personality change now that he is already harassing her? This is terrible it makes me sick to my stomach to watch him drop her to the ground. He is definitely not mating with her not that I have seen anyway. The vet does not seem to concerns about him getting her pregnant. Help please
Are mini donkeys (or mini ponies) high maintenance? I would love a same sex pair, however, I would not like theresponsibility of high maintenance and high vet bills? We are retired and living on acreage, trying to be self-sufficient, yet as we do not have dogs (only birds), I thought mini donkeys would be a good addition to the homestead : )
 

Baymule

Herd Master
Joined
Aug 22, 2010
Messages
35,879
Reaction score
111,167
Points
893
Location
East Texas
Are mini donkeys (or mini ponies) high maintenance? I would love a same sex pair, however, I would not like theresponsibility of high maintenance and high vet bills? We are retired and living on acreage, trying to be self-sufficient, yet as we do not have dogs (only birds), I thought mini donkeys would be a good addition to the homestead : )
If you wanted pets, 2 geldings would probably be best. You will have to have a farrier to trim their hooves every 6-8 weeks. They need small amounts of feed, free choice hay and grass. If your birds free range, donkeys could stomp them to death, or maybe not. Only way to find out is to get a couple and see if they are small animal friendly or not. I had 2 donkeys with my cattle some years ago. There were semi wild chickens that ranged around the barn. The adults could get away from the donkeys but they stomped every single chick the hens hatched out.
 

Moon888

Ridin' The Range
Joined
Nov 7, 2024
Messages
22
Reaction score
53
Points
63
If you wanted pets, 2 geldings would probably be best. You will have to have a farrier to trim their hooves every 6-8 weeks. They need small amounts of feed, free choice hay and grass. If your birds free range, donkeys could stomp them to death, or maybe not. Only way to find out is to get a couple and see if they are small animal friendly or not. I had 2 donkeys with my cattle some years ago. There were semi wild chickens that ranged around the barn. The adults could get away from the donkeys but they stomped every single chick the hens hatched out.
Wow" thank you that is valuable information for me. Trimming hoofs every 6 - 8 weeks is quite high maintenance in my book, and it is quite a risk to having them trample young birds : ( Thanks again for your honest opinion : )
 
Top