Critters - Miniature Donkeys

History - Miniature donkeys are native to the Mediterranean islands of Sicily and Sardinia. They are identified as either Sicilian or Sardinian donkeys according to their ancestry, although the two types do not differ. They have been extensively bred with each other and with animals of unidentified ancestry in the United States to produce a distinctively American breed of donkeys, which is called the Miniature Mediterranean Donkey. The American breed of donkey has been brought to their current state by breeders in the United States who have bred for size, disposition and conformation.

There are probably about 10,000 of these donkeys in the United States today but there is not an accurate account of them because they are not all registered. A registry was established in 1958 by Danby Farm in Nebraska and is now a part of the American Donkey and Mule Society in Denton, Texas. Approximately 15,000 of these donkeys have been registered since the inception of the registry but many more exist in unregistered herds. The breed is defined by size. The adult miniature donkey must not be more than 36 inches tall when mature, measured from the highest point of the withers to the ground.

Characteristics - The Miniature Mediterranean Donkey is by nature one of the friendliest and most affectionate animals of its type. They are very tame and gentle. They are also easier to manage in everyday life than some donkeys simply because they are smaller. They love their owners and seek attention. They do this with friendly nudges and brays and funny little sounds designed to get you to pay attention to them. The miniature donkey is extremely intelligent and docile and is easily trained. Geldings or jennets make the best pets. Jacks enjoy braying and may become excited in the presence of the females.

The size of these donkeys varies from 26 inches, which is considered extraordinarily small, to 36 inches at the withers. An average height would be about 33-34 inches. In general the smaller the donkey the more valuable it is. Other things that make a donkey valuable are good body and leg conformation and one of the more unusual colors such as spotted, white, sorrel, "chocolate" (dark brown) or black. Gray-dun, the various shades of gray with the dorsal stripe and cross is the most common color of these donkeys.

Conformation of the animals is supposed to be that of a small, compact, well rounded animal standing on four straight strong legs with all parts in symmetry and balance. The average donkey will weigh from 250 to 450 pounds with most animals being in the lower weight ranges. The hair ranges from flat to curly to long and shaggy and in texture from smooth to wiry. The hair coat is shed out much later in the summer than that of the horse and serves to protect the donkey from the weather and the flies. Almost all of these donkeys will have a "cross". The cross is a dorsal stripe of darker hair down the length of the back crossed by a shoulder stripe across the top of the body at the withers and showing down the shoulders. Most of the donkeys will have darker markings on the ears, the tip of the tail and around the feet. Some have "Garters" or stripes ringing the legs as well. A few of the donkeys have "collar button" markings, which are dots of black hair on the neck just below the place where the head joins the neck.

The mane and tail in the donkey are coarse. The mane is stiff and upright, rarely laying over and the tail is more like a cow's, covered with short body hair for most of the length, and ending in a tasseled switch. Donkeys do not have a true forelock, although sometimes the mane grows long enough to comb down between the ears toward the eyes. Because the mane is stiff and sometimes flyaway, many donkeys, especially show stock, wear their manes clipped short or shaved close to the neck.

Life expectancy for well cared for miniature donkeys is around 30-35 years, so they are truly a lifetime pet.

Care and Housing - Donkeys are herd animals. A single Miniature Mediterranean Donkey is a very lonely donkey and is unlikely to thrive. They should always have at least one companion.  Two miniature donkeys will require a minimum of 1 acre of land. Poor quality or wetness in winter may indicate the need for a greater area. This should be subdivided into sections to ensure against overgrazing and prevent over eating.

Droppings should be cleared daily from the pasture. Miniature donkeys are healthy animals but do require shelter from bad weather. Unlike native ponies, donkeys are not waterproof and a 3 sided field shelter, with entrance facing away from prevailing winds, is the minimum requirement and will also provide shade in summer. Fresh water must be provided daily.  It is recommended that miniatures be stabled at night, especially in winter. Additionally for security purposes a stable with security lights is the safest place, for such a friendly animal, all year round after dark.

Feeding Your Donkeys - Donkeys characteristically get by on less food than a horse of similar size, and need a lower protein content in their feed.  Good grass hay and pasture is usually all a donkey needs.  If grained, the protein should preferably be lower than 12%.  Donkeys can founder on rich food such as alfalfa and lush spring grass.   A fat donkey will develop a "roll" on the neck, pones of fat on the barrel and over the hips that are quite unsightly.  Once there, these are usually with the donkey for life.  If the neck roll of fat gets too heavy, it will fall or "break over" to one side and never come upright again!  Beware overfeeding these hearty creatures!

Miniature Donkeys are grassers. So, they will eat pasture grass. Coastal Bermuda seems to be the best, but there are many other native grasses that can be good food supply. If you are feeding small square hay bales, a bale will normally be around 50 lbs. When you cut the string or wire the bale of hay will naturally fall into sections.  These sections are referred to as a flake or a wedge. One wedge will be plenty of hay for one miniature donkey per day. Over feeding treats is where most people get their little donkeys too fat. If you think your donkey is being overfed, limit the amount of horse and mule feed you give as treat and be sure it is a lower protein mix of 8 to 10 %.  Always have a good mineral block and salt block available also.

Guard Donkeys - Donkeys make wonderful guard animals. The right donkey gelding or jennet will take care of an entire herd of cattle, sheep or goats.  The natural aversion to predators will inspire the donkey to severely discourage any canine attacks on the herd. Dogs and donkeys usually don't mix, although they can be trained to leave the house or farm dog alone.

Communication - Donkeys communicate with their owners and with other donkeys by "braying", more commonly known as a hee-haw. Every donkey has his or her own style of braying with some sounding quite comical. They range from barely being audible to a loud thunderous bray. The donkey's voice is a raspy, brassy bray, the characteristic Aw-EE, Aw-EE sound. Jacks especially seem enjoy braying, and will "sound off" at any opportunity. Donkeys develop schedules and if you are late in feeding, you will hear about it!  Jacks pastured apart from their jennets will call to them several times a day.

Cost - Prices on donkeys vary greatly depending on the region of the country and the quality of the animal. Pet jacks are the most economical in the $350 to $600 range.  The next step up is a breeder quality jack, weanling or adult.  They can be any color, will be friendly, and have nice conformation. A breeder quality donkey will cost from $700 to $1,500. The price increases for top quality jacks and jennets. (Note: The prices quoted here are averages that were based on market conditions as of February 2004.)

These books are great references for anyone interested in miniature donkeys, or miniature horses!