An Update on the Donkeys
Here at my Bedford, New York farm, no one ever passes the donkey paddock without saying hello to my five fun-loving donkeys - Rufus, Clive, Billie, Jude “JJ” Junior, and Truman “TJ” Junior.
This quintet spends most of the day outdoors in a paddock just down the carriage road from my home. Like many animals, donkeys are happiest when outside where they can roam and play. These donkeys also bray quite a bit - one can hear them from across the fields. In the late afternoon, the five are brought back into the stable, where they are groomed and fed.
Enjoy these photos.
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- Here are Rufus and Clive peeking out from inside the run-in shed. 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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- Donkeys are herd animals, so they are often seen together in one group. Here are my five donkeys – Clive, Jude “JJ” Junior, Rufus, Billie, and Truman “TJ” Junior on the far right. They are in their large paddock just down the hill from my home.
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- 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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- Whenever someone comes near, the donkeys start walking over to say hello. 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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- These are the original three Sicilian donkeys – Billie, Rufus and Clive. Here they are running around the paddock – wherever one goes, the others follow.
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- 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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- And they’re off again – the three amigos.
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- Jude Junior is always on the lookout for a treat or a pat on the head. She loves to visit with everyone at the farm.
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- Truman Junior loves to run and encourage the others to play.
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- Here he stopped just long enough for a quick snapshot.
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- Until Jude Junior came along, Billie was the only “jenny” or female donkey in the stable. Here she is with her best friends, Rufus and Clive – both males, also known as jacks.
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- The important thing is to keep the donkeys from overeating. 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 excellent shape.
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- Donkeys have a two-toned call that sounds pretty comical. In English, the sound is called braying.
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- The donkey or ass is a domesticated member of the horse family, Equidae. The wild ancestor of the donkey is the African wild ass, E. africanus. The donkey has been used as a working animal for at least 5000 years.
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- Back in their stall, the donkeys are eagerly awaiting their dinner. Billie and Rufus are hoping it will come soon. Donkeys are generally calm, intelligent, and have a natural inclination to like people. Donkeys show less obvious signs of fear than horses. In fact, Rufus looks like he is smiling.
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- And here’s Clive. 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.
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- Although donkeys are very conscious of safety in their surroundings, they are also quite curious.
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- 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 right next door are Jude Junior and Truman Junior. “TJ” is about five years old and a little taller than “JJ”. Jude Junior is about three years old.
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- Jude Junior and Truman Junior are affectionately named after my grandchildren. They joined my stable in May 2019 and they’re doing great – very healthy and very friendly. All my donkeys are thriving at the farm.
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