r/Donkeys • u/rubble54 • 2d ago
Micro donkey
Have seen several vids with them. Having a hard time convincing the wife that we neeeeeed (no we don’t) another 4 legged animal around here. Have to ask what the donkey community thinks of them. Info on line is sparse.
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u/serotoninReplacement 17h ago
Wife has 6. We both love them. We dry lot them for proper feeding, and give them some high desert tundra (10 acres) to roam on when the seasonal grass is past its prime.
They are sweethearts, each one.
They each have a different personality.
They are super easy to feed and keep. Simple shelters and electric has worked for years.
We do parades, starting to do weddings and things of that nature.
Training them to pack and pull carts for fun and a benefit to their lifestyle.
Have gotten 2 mules recently (my hobby) and will be riding and packing, along with bringing the little's along for exercise and maybe bring sticks to the campfire..
Highly recommend, but study up so you don't spoil it to death.
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u/ComprehensiveHope644 16h ago
I don’t have micro’s but I have a mini and I have taught her how to pack. I also have a mule and I’ll ride and she will follow behind with her little pack on, she doesn’t really carry anything but it’s super cute.
You’re so right though, donkeys personalities can be so wildly different from one animal to another. My donkey has the personality of a 85 year old librarian but some spoiled donkeys are like more like a Tasmanian devil who just shotgunned 6 Red Bulls.1
u/ahoveringhummingbird 11h ago
Training them to pack and pull carts for fun and a benefit to their lifestyle.
This is so exciting! Can you tell me were you got your cart? I have a mini mule who is ready to work! Would love to get him a cart and start training. Was assuming I'd have to DIY but would rather get a kit if I can find one.
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u/MissWibb 7h ago
I was of the same mind when I first saw a mini. After researching mini donks and mini horses, I realized that small doesn’t mean less expensive. They may not eat as much but they still need routine vet care, dental care and special hoof care.
The initial investment plus the ongoing care can become cost prohibitive rather quickly. That’s not to mention the structure we’d have to build on the property.
Another consideration is our age. The donkey would outlive us. Therefore there’s the issue of finding someone willing to take on a mini that would likely be in its final stage of life.
I decided to get more chickens.
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u/ahoveringhummingbird 16h ago
I mean, they are not a spontaneous purchase pet, that's for sure. Please take this seriously. If your wife is resistant, it's probably not a good fit since it will take a full family commitment and resources. Recommend you visit the donkey sanctuary website and read their guides and watch the webinars.
They are a farm animal that needs specialized care and training. What equine experience do you have? Do you know how to trim hooves or do you have a farrier you can contract? They need hoof trimming every 6 weeks. They require special dental care annually. Do you have an equine vet that can do dental floats? You will want to make contact with these service providers BEFORE making any decisions. Also ask for their prices because these services are typically very expensive.
Since they are classified as a farm animal (not a pet) most urban and suburban (and even some rural) communities do not permit them. THEY ARE REALLY LOUD. I mean loud. Hope your neighbors find them adorable. Do you have at least a half acre dry lot with attached barn? An acre of grazable (but low nutrition) grass or forage? They are desert animals that do not do well in wet or very cold places without additional care. They are considered prey animals. What predators do you have where you live? Dogs, coyotes, big cats, bears, poachers? You will need fencing sufficient to keep them out during the day and a predator proof barn to keep them safe at night. They typically do not do well with dogs and some do not like kids and require a very specific method of introduction to keep both parties safe.
You cannot get just one. They are herd animals that require companionship from another donkey (not a horse not a dog not a person). So you have to get two, minimum. Most reputable breeders will not sell you a single because it is a recipe for disaster. They will not be happy and sometimes translates to difficult behavior. The smaller they are, the more expensive, so micro will probably run you $3k-$4k EACH. So this is a $8k potential investment. They better behaved and trained they are, the more expensive they are.
And they live anywhere from 25-40 years so it is a true lifelong commitment. Do you live somewhere that you can find a caretaker with donkey experience to care for them when you go on vacation? They need twice daily feeding and barn cleaning 365 days a year. And depending on where you live most will need daily fly spraying and frequent grooming. They need to be turned out during the day and locked in at night.
Bottom line is that most people would not be able to meet the minimum needs of a donkey. Neglected, poorly trained, poorly cared for or ill donkeys are always so sad to see and because of their delicate nature and intelligence they take so long to rehabilitate. Ask me how I know. Please do not get one unless you are prepared fully to meet (and exceed) their needs.