Leah Patton, Office Manager, ADMS
You go to visit a neighboring farm, and are greeted by the most adorable of small creatures. A silky gray-brown coat, thick fluffy bangs above liquid dark eyes, a tiny white muzzle and dainty hooves. Poking through the mat of bangs are two long ears, and the little mouth opens to emit the loudest Hee-Haw you've ever heard from so small a creature. What in the world? It's a baby Miniature Donkey!
Miniature Donkeys have been growing in popularity over the past 20+ years. These scaled-down versions of the donkey (ass or burro) are finding their way into homes and farms not only all over North American, but into England, Australia, even South Africa and other countries as well!
The first Miniature Donkeys were imported into the United States in the late 1920's, originally from the islands of Sicily and Sardinia. A few were even from Ethiopia. All were small in size, most under 40" at the withers, and many were the familiar slate gray (gray-dun) color. From the efforts of a few dedicated breeders, the population has grown to over 30,000 registered miniature donkeys around the world. They come in a variety of coat colors from slate gray (gray-dun) to dark brown, black, sorrel, spotted in all shades, and Ivory-white with blue eyes.
Miniature Donkeys are registered by height, with the limit being 36" at the withers in mature animals. The smaller animals are usually 29-30" tall, although a very few have been listed at under 27 inches - the smallest known is a petite but well-proportioned 25"! Since the animal should resemble a perfectly proportioned donkey in a small package, the heavier-boned, drafty type animal is preferred. Too-small animals may pose birthing problems, so breeders strive for correct 30-34" animals in most herds. Characteristics of apparent dwarfism, or animals who appear unbalanced and disproportional, especially with extremely short forelegs or oversized heads, should be strictly avoided in breeding stock.
The Miniature Donkey is an ideal pet or companion animal. Gelding or jennets make the best bets - even a 33" jack knows he's a stud - and studs are not recommended as pets. Miniature donkeys can be shown in harness, in hand, and even ridden by small children. They love to be around people, and the are a vast number of miniature donkeys who visit nursing homes! They stand in at Nativity scenes, make appearances at libraries, schools and other events.
Donkeys are herd animals, and it's best to have more than one donkey/horse/mule. They can get along with a companion animal, but do better with another equine. Donkeys have a natural aversion to dogs (seeing them as predators) but can be trained to get along with the family dog. Larger donkeys are often used as predator control with sheep or goat herd. Minis can occasionally fill this job, but the circumstances depend on the individual animal, and the type of predator most common. The small mini would not fare well against a pack of feral dogs.
Donkeys are long-lived, and a donkey over 30 is not uncommon. Even minis can live well into their 20's - donkeys are truly lifelong companions. Jennets carry their foals for 12 months, and can produce foals through their entire lifetime. Jack and jennet foals should be kept separate to avoid too-early breeding of young jennets - they should be at least 2 and preferable 3 before they are bred. If you are looking for pets, you can buy a young pair but have the jack colt gelded to avoid accidental breeding! Most breeders keep 4 or 5 jennets before they acquire a jack, who has some special housing needs.
Prices may vary according to size, color, sex and location, but you might expect to pay about $800-$3000 for a miniature jack or jennet.
Once you've gotten your first donkey, you will probably succumb to a very common disease - Donkey Fever. Symptoms include going to visit breeders and auctions and looking in fields wherever you go to spot donkeys. Eventually (usually in a very short time) you will find you can't live with just one donkey and end up with a whole pasture full!!!
If you think you are coming down with Donkey Fever and would like more information on these wonderful little creatures, contact the American Donkey and Mule Society, 2901 N. Elm St., Denton TX 76201 (940) 382-6845 Fax (940) 484-8417 e-mail [email protected] or check out our web site at www.geocities.com/regminidonks/index.html (This piece originally written for and reprinted from Animals Exotic and Small Magazine.)
