How to Raise Donkeys

By eHow Pets Editor

Instructions

Step 1:
Breed the jennet (female donkey) at 24 months--or three years if the jennet is small. At this point, the jennet is mature enough and full grown enough to be a good mother and carry her foal. The gestation period is from 12 to 13 months.
Step 2:
Feed the foal adult food, such as grain and grass. The foal will get most of its nutrition from its mother's milk. As the foal gets older, it will receive more nutrition from other food.
Step 3:
Wean the foal at nine months. The foal could be weaned at four months, but it is still receiving much of its nutrition from the mother's milk, and isn't quite able to process the other food enough to gain all of the nutritional value.
Step 4:
Begin training at two. Though the bodies may be full grown, the brain has not yet fully developed. The training sessions should be short. The muscles and bones are not completely developed. By three or five, the donkey will be fully developed mentally and physically.
Step 5:
Separate jennets and jacks (male donkeys) when they are weaned. Jacks can become fertile at the age of one, and some have even been fertile at six months.
Step 6:
Have at least three jennets if you intend to breed donkeys. If you have only one jennet, do not get a jack unless you are prepared to house him separately.
Step 7:
Geld (castrate) your jack if you do not intend on breeding your donkeys. The jack's temperament will mellow, and will no longer be dictated by testosterone.
Step 8:
Provide the donkeys with some shelter. This can help provide shade on hot days and relief from the cold in winter.

Resources

The American Donkey and Mule Society

More Puppy Pages

How to Breed Donkeys

Many people raise and breed donkeys with good confirmation and bloodlines so that they sell the animals for working or showing. You can learn how to breed donkeys by following these steps.

Mules have long had a bad reputation as being lazy and stubborn, but we should respect these interesting half-horse/half-donkey creatures because they are smart, cautious and can't be forced to do anything they consider dangerous. We refer to people as...

The anticipation is over; your foal has finally arrived. A little creature that appears to be more legs than anything is wobbling around in the stall. There are things you can do to help her get a great start in life. The actions you take now will ensure...

Donkeys are working farm animals and need routine veterinary care just as horses do. Donkeys must be vaccinated regularly to stay healthy and prevent diseases. Learn how to vaccinate a donkey by following these steps.

Feeding your foal properly can make the difference between a fully developed and healthy youngster, or a crippling injury for life. This article will help you in this critical time period.