A have a few questions that need answers?

Question

I have a horse rescue and this is an equine question...I have had people calling me about taking in Donkeys. Ok never owned such an animal and i have no idea feeding wise or anything else having to do with them. Has anyone ever owned any? Any advise would be appreciated. I'm not one to get something i have no idea about, rather research then end up doing something stupid.

Also i have gotten calls on llamas and alpacas, two other beast i have no idea about. Don't they spit at you? What do they eat? Don't you have to shave them like sheep?

Thanks in advance

Answer 1

Bunnyjad has the best answer so for but .The braying was the big problem for us.We had 2 min.donkeys and they let the out a bray for feeding time,someone they don't know,dogs in the pasture and they are very good watch dogs

Answer 2

My donkey eats just the same as the horses. He is fed according to his needs (amount of feed based on weight and activity) and is given free choice of costal daily. They need the same care horses do with grooming, hoof and tooth care, vetting, etc...

Llamas and Alpaca's eat a specialized feed for them. You can call around to your local feed stores to see if they carry it or can order it for you. You can sheer them during the summer, if it is rather warm. But, sheering them is not a must. It just makes it cooler on the animal. If you do sheer them, you can see if any of the local craft stores who know of some one who would want the hair to use for crafting.

They usually spit only when irritated or feeling threatened. They are very social. And are also very sweet once they become used to you.  

Answer 3

My first thought when I read this was that some horses don't like donkeys at all. The donkeys in question may be fine but many horses just don't like them. If you really are considering taking in donkeys, you'd have to take this into account.

Care-wise, they are similar to horses. They need a paddock shelter, because their coats don't protect them from wind and rain. Food-wise, grass and hay are the usual, with carrots being okay too, as well as some vege scraps. They are animals prone to putting on weight though, so be careful. They also will benefit from a salt block.

They can get teeth problems, so an equine dentist will do for them too.

They also like company, so getting two is advisable.

Llamas and Alpacas are relatively easy care too.

Llamas:

2-3 per acre is good.

They eat grass, hay and grain, and like to browse from trees too. They also need access to salt (not a block though) and minerals your area is deficient in.

They also need a shelter and teeth and nail care.

Alpacas are pretty much the same care as Llamas, plus the following:

Alpacas spit when threatened only, and mostly this is only directed at other alpacas and not people.

Shearing is done once a year, mid to late spring.

Hope I helped.

Answer 4

Donkeys are great animals, i have had the pleasure of owning three of them although they are slightly different to horses.  Donkeys share much of the same diet as horses but they require more roughage than their cousin relations.  No matter how good the grass and grain they're getting if they don't have enough hay, straw, etc, they will look very poor in the coat and become listless.  They are also prone to a significant worm burden if they do not get the roughage they require. Our donkeys ate bark off trees till we rang the breeder and were informed that it is an essential part of their diet.  They like to browse too, they'll eat blackberries, (I mean the stalks & prickles) thistles and wood.  Our donkeys did an excellent job of cleaning up our blackberry infested bottom paddock, getting rid of them all together within a couple of years and they nibbled on the inside of their shelter!! They also love their mineral licks, but it's best to make your own to go with your soil quality and don't add mollassus coz they'll eat the lot in a few days, they have a mega sweet tooth!  Donkeys have some quirks too: They don't like just any farrier doing their hooves, we went through three before we found one who they liked.  They can be stubborn and no matter how hard you pull or push they're very hard to move.  They hate the cold and will bray their displeasure at being left in it if they don't have sufficient shelter and they don't like dogs very much, some people use them as stock guards to protect sheep and goats.  Overall though donkeys are very sweet, loving, gentle individuals, having a particular affinity with children.  They are a pleasure to have around!  I have not had personal experience owning Llamas or Alpacas but i know people with them and i can answer your questions.  Yes they do spit, but its usually only when they are annoyed, frightened or threatened.  They eat much the same as donkeys, and like to browse around a bit, their diet can be supplimented with a good chaff/grain mix.  Yes you have to get them shorn, and they have to be tied up in a special way coz they kick like crazy when they're layed down unwillingly.  You'd be best to get in touch with a shearer who has had experience with these animals because it's different shearing these guys than sheep.  Alpacas and Llamas are also excellent guard animals and don't like dogs much either.  I hope i have helped you, and thankyou for taking on a rescue job, it's people like you who make the world a better place for the forgotten and neglected animals.