When to wean

[jdomep]

My little Vernon comes up to my farm when he is weaned and since he was born in September (he is 2 months now) I was not sure how long to leave him with his momma? When do you guys tend to wean? Is 6/7 months with momma too long?

Thanks.

 

[MeadowRidge Farm]

My donkey babies were born in March and the beginning of April, I am first weaning them now. So I would not say 6-7 months is too long, as long as the foal does not take too much out of the jenny, (weight wise, etc) I also always give my jennys that still have there foals with them "extra" as far as grain, and conditioner goes, and when the foal starts to nibble on his food I add vitamin E /selenium. I also use beet pulp with all my donkeys and horses. Corinne

 

[RJRMINIS]

I usually wean between 4-6 months. As long as they are eating well, etc.

 

[Ashley]

NOt before 4 months. Its normally around the 6 months here.

 

[tazz001]

I must be one of the few who allows the mom to wean when she is ready. If my jennet was rebred she usually weaned her babe at 6-8 months. One of my girls whom I didn't rebreed due to her age let her last baby nurse for 18 months...I think it was just comfort for both. Looked really goofy cuz baby was only 3 inches shorter than mom when mom finally fully weaned her.

I was always told to leave baby with mom as long as possible. let nature take its course unless the mom was getting way to thin. But then again, I am not making any $$ selling my girls...they are nothing more than lawn ornaments but I do want the best for them.

O just noticed...under my name it says "addiction free"....not for long!!

 

[Ashley]

Really between 3-6 months the milk is nothing. I make it the equivilante of water. There is no nutrition left. So after 6 months there really isnt a need for them to nurse.

I think donkeys are left on longer then horses as they are slower in my opinion to mature then a horse.