The donkey, an endearing pet
The donkey is not one of the most iconic pets in the world, but it is still a very cute and affectionate companion. It is indeed an animal that can live up to 40 years and needs care and attention. If its needs are lower than those of horses and ponies, the donkey will quickly become attached to its owner and it will not bear their distance.
In France, several kinds of donkeys are represented, the great black duberg, the Poitou donkey, the Norman donkey, the Cotentin donkey, the Bourbon donkey, the Pyrenees donkey, the Provence donkey or the so- called common ass.
To support your donkey breeding on a daily basis, we provide you with a series of dedicated documents. Inspiring and exciting, they will allow you to discover the many secrets of this very intelligent animal.
The donkey, an endearing animal
Donkeys are excellent pets, loyal and adorable. Very intelligent, his attachment to those who take care of him is so fast that he must be given time. Donkeys are known to be stubborn and short-tempered. In reality, this animal is much more gentle and affectionate than it seems, but it is also able to recognize certain situations that are uncomfortable, unpleasant or dangerous for it, and it knows how to oppose them. However, this freedom-loving man needed restraint very early on, and adopting a pony required a firm and caring education, sufficiently structured for him to learn to respect his master.
In addition to its gentle nature, the donkey is a valuable ally in clearing the fields of weeds, thorns and nettles. Indeed, they reminded him of his origins and the arid lands of North Africa and the Middle East.
Raise your donkey well
If the donkey is an animal that most needs to be present, it also needs to adapt to the habitat it needs. It needs uneven ground and vegetated meadows.
You are convinced that a donkey would be the nicest of pets. Certainly, he has his character, he can't stand bad treatment, and since he is intelligent, in this case, he can really be stubborn and recalcitrant, living up to his reputation.
Frequenting them daily, we consider that donkeys raised correctly, that is to say, accustomed to seeing in humans a benevolent animal, show a lot of good will. The donkey does not obey if the request is badly made or if it can lead to unfortunate consequences, from his point of view. If he refuses to cross a gully, it is because he wants to make sure before deciding that he is not afraid of any danger. It is therefore necessary to know it a little in order to avoid serious errors. If your land is not closed, this is an important item. The horse paddock-type fence made of wooden rails is not the most effective. A donkey is quite capable of stooping to pass under a bar; if he can fit a head between two bars, he'll push until it gives, as the old saying goes: the grass is better on the other side of the fence. If such a fence already exists, it must be supplemented with intermediate wires. The URSUS type fence, sheep fence, completed by a row of twisted wire at the top, less aggressive than barbed wire, is suitable.
The donkey is wise enough to respect this type of fence and not get hurt. If hedges limit your land, it is perfect if they are lined with a barbed wire fence
Donkey health
To avoid health problems, it is advisable to show your pet donkey to a veterinarian at least once a year. It is essential to vaccinate him against tetanus, equine flu, and rabies. The donkey's hooves must also be maintained regularly or risk irreversible damage. You will need to call a farrier to have his hooves trimmed three times a year or according to their growth. Also, a donkey must be dewormed at least 2 to 3 times a year.
Special monitoring of his ears and teeth is useful. The maintenance of the hooves is also essential. The frequency of intervention depends on the degree of work and the lifestyle of the donkey. If an annual visit is the minimum, it is advisable to split the interventions to make shorter and more bearable visits for the animal, 3 to 4 times a year. You can learn some basic gestures to relieve your animal while waiting for the intervention of a professional. If the donkey is shod, the farrier must intervene approximately every 6 to 10 weeks.
Maintenance and hygiene
The donkey originating from hot and dry regions fears the cold and the humidity, and in summer the flies. So you need shelter. It should preferably be located on an imminence of your land so that it is dry. He must turn his back to the prevailing wind. Its opening will preferably be turned towards the East, so that your donkey can take advantage of the morning sun, and not located under the lower part of the roof so that the animal does not receive water from the roof when it returns to go outside. shelter in case of rain. It must be accessible from all the plots of your land. The shelter is cleaned once a week, and it must be disinfected with a suitable product, at least twice a year. If it is at the edge of a fence, plan that an animal can get stuck between the wall and the fence.