DonkeysOverview of BreedThere are three types of donkeys available in New Zealand
Donkeys in New Zealand are not usually working animals but commonly pets or companions, or used for carriage driving and combined driving and/or showing. Any colour in a donkey is acceptable and donkeys come in many colours. Some have the distinctive dark cross across their withers and down their back, and this marking can be found in all the above breeds. Donkeys make excellent companions as they are very sociable animals and love to be with their owners when they are doing something outside. Donkey are very curious and will be beside you almost as soon as you enter their paddock. Donkeys have gentle dispositions and are easy to handle. They are also more reliable than horses or ponies in harness as they rarely bolt and are calmer. A horse’s natural reaction is flight when it is frightened, a donkey’s natural reaction is to freeze while they assess the situation before they make a move. Donkeys are good with children and are usually very reliable. Donkeys need company and keeping a pair of donkeys is advised rather than having just one lonely donkey on its own. Donkeys definitely need shelter from wind and rain, as their coats are not waterproof. A fact frequently not realised. Another big care need is for their feet to be trimmed every 6 to 8 weeks. Unlike a horse or pony, a donkey’s feet will not break off when it grows, as the whole sole grows, not just the outer edge. A donkey also needs to be wormed regularly. Donkeys are good doers and need a careful watch on their diet, they can easily get over fat. However, a donkey cannot be starved to get weight off, as they can get a fatal condition called hyperlipaemia if starved. Donkeys should live to about 40 years, but this is rarely the case in New Zealand as donkeys are usually allowed to get too fat and this shortens their lives considerably. A donkeys diet should be low carbohydrate. They need lots of roughage, and ideally should have a slab of barley straw a day. They do not need lush grass or high concentrate food. They should never be fed lawn clippings, green potatoes, feed for animals other than equines, or bread, wheat, cakes or excess grain. DisadvantagesDonkeys will ring-bark trees very quickly if they can get at trees, and eat your roses with relish! Donkeys dislike small animals such as dogs and cats and will quickly run them out of their paddock. Some donkeys are not safe with sheep or lambs. A donkey is suitable for a small block of land, but as mentioned above, they do need company either of another donkey, pony or maybe goat. Costs
Other donkeys will cost the following:-
You should never consider a jack (stallion) a pet. No entire is a pet or can be relied around small children. Organisational ContactsThe Donkey Society of New Zealand (Inc) provides advice to people interested donkeys and has a network of area representatives around the country. There are 470 members in New Zealand. Membership is $25 a year and this includes a subscription to the quarterly magazine Donkey Dispatch which is full of information about events, care and training in New Zealand. It also provides access to the Society’s library of books and video. The society is also manages New Zealand’s Register of Donkeys and Mules. The society sells at the special discount price of $29.00 (incl. p&p) one of the best books on donkey care and management Donkey Business III. You should purchase this and read it if you are seriously considering buying a donkey. For further information contact the Donkey Society of New Zealand’s Hon. Secretary, |
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