My Donkeys at the Farm
It’s been a while since I’ve updated you on my donkeys, and I am happy to report - all are doing very well.
Here at my Bedford, New York farm, I have five donkeys - Rufus, Clive, Billie, Jude “JJ” Junior, and Truman “TJ” Junior. Like many animals, donkeys are happiest with ample and safe outdoor space where they can roam and play. My donkeys are outside all day long in their large paddock located near my stable. And then, in the late afternoon, they are brought back in, where they are groomed and fed.
Here are some of the latest photos, enjoy.
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- Here are my five donkeys – Clive, Rufus, Billie, Jude “JJ” Junior, and Truman “TJ” Junior. They are in their large paddock just down the hill from my home. Ideally, the outdoor space should consist of donkey-safe grazing pasture, and at least half an acre of land per donkey – more if possible.
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- Donkeys are herd animals, so they don’t like being separated from other members of their pack. I am very glad all five get along very well.
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- These are the original three Sicilian donkeys – Billie, Rufus and Clive. Here, they stopped and looked at the camera all at the same time.
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- Here are my two younger donkeys, Jude Junior and Truman Junior – affectionately named after my grandchildren. They joined my stable in May 2019 and are doing great. These two are very bonded and are never far apart.
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- Truman Junior is about five years old and a little taller than Jude Junior. Male donkeys are called jacks. Here he is playing and braying, a distinct two-toned call that sounds like “hee-haw.”
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- On this day, the donkeys were very playful and ran as soon as someone came near. Truman Junior is off again. They love to play with each other and watch the activity around the farm.
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- And then another stop – just long enough for a snapshot to be taken.
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- Jude Junior is about three years old. Female donkeys are called jennets or jennies. Jude Junior is the second jenny to join my herd – Billie is also a female donkey.
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- When the weather is wet or windy, donkeys need access to a warm and dry shelter. A run-in is essential for donkeys. Donkeys originated in a desert climate, but are very hardy, provided they are given adequate accommodations.
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- Here’s Billie. Some donkeys love to play with balls. The donkeys have several Jolly balls in their enclosures. Sometimes they will bite, throw and run with these balls. They’re a fun way to expend energy and provide good mental stimulation.
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- During the winter, when the grass is dead, or at other times of year when there’s not enough, we supplement with good quality meadow hay in their paddock mangers.
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- The thing to remember, however, is that donkeys cannot be overfed. Eating too much protein and other nutrient-rich foods can make them sick. They also tend to gain weight very easily. I am very glad these donkeys are in good shape.
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- After all five ran around the paddock, they all stopped and huddled together again. I think Billie and Rufus are hoping for a carrot or some sugar.
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- Clive, in the center, is the tallest of the five donkeys. Do you know… a donkey is capable of hearing another donkey from up to 60 miles away in the proper conditions? They have a great sense of hearing, in part because of their large ears.
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- Donkeys are very social animals. They start walking toward anyone passing their pen.
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- By late afternoon, the donkeys are inside the stable eating supper. Donkeys require a diet low in protein, sugar, and starch, but high in fiber.
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- Donkeys are calm, intelligent, and have a natural inclination to like people. Donkeys show less obvious signs of fear than horses.
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- The donkey’s sense of smell is considered to be similar to the horse. Donkeys greet each other by smelling and blowing in each other’s nose. The smell of breath imparts important information to the donkey. I think Rufus is sniffing for a treat.
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- Although donkeys are very conscious of safety in their surroundings, they are also quite curious.
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- Clive was distracted by the hay, but it didn’t take long to notice someone was visiting the stall.
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- Silly Clive – are you making faces? All the donkeys have very different and fun personalities. Donkeys also have a reputation for stubbornness but this is because of their highly developed sense of self-preservation. It’s difficult to force or frighten a donkey into doing something that’s contrary to its own best interest or safety.
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- And here’s Truman Junior next door greeting another visitor from the back window. I’ll see you soon my donkeys.
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