Denali
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- Sep 12, 2006
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Hi, I am a new donkey owner and I was hoping to get some help with some questions.
I had planned on buying a gelding or jennet or both as pets, but when I went to look at some jennets, they had been sold and all that was available was some jacks. I ended up buying one, with plans to geld him soon, because he is so sweet and gentle. Evidently he has been shown when he was young by his breeder, but was only hand bred and so has never lived with another donkey, just next to them. The person we bought from said she has tried but he just "runs" the jennets and horses and won't leave them alone. He was used to an old Nubian goat though, and was great with the barn cat and rooster, sharing his grain with them. So I brought him home and pastured him next to our three goats (Nigerian Dwarf's, which for those not familiar and mini dairy goats) until they got to know each other. Our animals are our pets and we use them for 4-H, so my goats are all wethers. After a few days, we tried pasturing them together and this seemed to help Levi, he didn't bray quite as often. He seemed to ignore the goats, who were a big afraid of him. However, the next day, one goat had a wet mark on his neck and was acting funny and I am pretty sure Levi grabbed him. So I separated them again and Levi is so sad. It least he seems sad, as he paces and brays all day and night. The goat is fine now, by the way.
So, now I am thinking I need to get another donkey. Which could be a trick, since I have two pastures and two small barns and am afraid to just stick a new donkey in either. I can easily split a pasture, but may have to build a stall for night, just to be safe for a while. We are looking for a vet that can geld Levi safely but not sure how long before he will be able to get along with another donkey, if ever, or if it would be better to get him a gelding friend or a jennet? Also, a mature donkey or a baby? If I got a baby, I probably could add them to the goat pasture easier because I would be afraid of them injuring a goat yet. However, I don't want Levi to injure a baby or juvenile if we try to pasture them at some point. So, I was just hoping for some opinions and what are my best options.
Levi is 10 by the way, and about 34" tall. He is incredibly with my kids, and so sweet with everyone. He loves attention and I was so impressed how much he seems to like my little ones (2 & 6) and lowers his head for them to pet him. When they are out in the pasture with me, he follows us around but won't move his feet if they are close, like he is being careful of their little feet! I am so impressed!!
I appreciate your help!
Vicki
I had planned on buying a gelding or jennet or both as pets, but when I went to look at some jennets, they had been sold and all that was available was some jacks. I ended up buying one, with plans to geld him soon, because he is so sweet and gentle. Evidently he has been shown when he was young by his breeder, but was only hand bred and so has never lived with another donkey, just next to them. The person we bought from said she has tried but he just "runs" the jennets and horses and won't leave them alone. He was used to an old Nubian goat though, and was great with the barn cat and rooster, sharing his grain with them. So I brought him home and pastured him next to our three goats (Nigerian Dwarf's, which for those not familiar and mini dairy goats) until they got to know each other. Our animals are our pets and we use them for 4-H, so my goats are all wethers. After a few days, we tried pasturing them together and this seemed to help Levi, he didn't bray quite as often. He seemed to ignore the goats, who were a big afraid of him. However, the next day, one goat had a wet mark on his neck and was acting funny and I am pretty sure Levi grabbed him. So I separated them again and Levi is so sad. It least he seems sad, as he paces and brays all day and night. The goat is fine now, by the way.
So, now I am thinking I need to get another donkey. Which could be a trick, since I have two pastures and two small barns and am afraid to just stick a new donkey in either. I can easily split a pasture, but may have to build a stall for night, just to be safe for a while. We are looking for a vet that can geld Levi safely but not sure how long before he will be able to get along with another donkey, if ever, or if it would be better to get him a gelding friend or a jennet? Also, a mature donkey or a baby? If I got a baby, I probably could add them to the goat pasture easier because I would be afraid of them injuring a goat yet. However, I don't want Levi to injure a baby or juvenile if we try to pasture them at some point. So, I was just hoping for some opinions and what are my best options.
Levi is 10 by the way, and about 34" tall. He is incredibly with my kids, and so sweet with everyone. He loves attention and I was so impressed how much he seems to like my little ones (2 & 6) and lowers his head for them to pet him. When they are out in the pasture with me, he follows us around but won't move his feet if they are close, like he is being careful of their little feet! I am so impressed!!
I appreciate your help!
Vicki
