Anyone here own donkeys?

[mainer]

I'm a new owner and mine seem really, really scared of just about anything. I can't even tempt them to come out of the pen.

[Warpy]

1. They're just getting used to the place, relax

Once they realize they've got a new human around who feeds them and keeps their coats brushed and talks to them they'll probably relax a bit.

New surroundings are difficult for a lot of critters.

[Horse with no Name]

2. I remember when I was a kid

We had a horse that was very jumpy.
My Dad took a burlap bag and put cans in it and tied it on one of the fence posts.
Everyday he went and would beat on that bag a few times. The horse jumped all the time.
A week or two of doing that--it got to where the horse would go over to the bag and hit it with his nose.
The first few times he would jump back scared. Then, when he realized the noise wouldn't hurt him, he started playing with it.
That took care of a lot of his jumpiness.
My Dad also took a basketball and threw it in the pen.
The horse started kicking it and playing with it.
You might try that to get them over their fears.

[mainer]

5. I just ordered some jolly balls.

I'm hoping they'll play with them. I've got one pretty bold male (neutered) who started picking up a trash can lid and throwing it around, which was funny. But the others are scaredy cats. I've heard that donkeys are just really cautious animals. One thing for sure -- I don't think they'll be running away from home any time soon. They seem to want to stick around the barn where they know the hay is.

[CrazyOrangeCat]

3. Horses love cats . . .

. . . so I suspect donkeys would too. Cats calm them greatly.

[Uben]

4. They may seem scared

...but let a stray dog come around and see what happens! A lot of cattle owners buy them to keep the dogs away.

[jaybeat]

6. We have a family of four donkeys next door

Not to offend horse people, but donkeys are *very* smart, and generally much less spookable than horses. Like others have said, they may just be adapting to their new surroundings. Some other things that may be bothering them:

-Were they just separated from other animals they have lived with for a while? Donkeys are strong herd animals, and any disruption in their herd will be *very* upsetting to them. As long as they have other herd animals to bond with (donkeys, horses, goats, sheep, cattle, llamas, etc.) they should adjust OK.

-Can they hear dogs or other predators, but not see them? Donkeys are *very* protective (will chase down and trample coyotes and other predators), but if they can hear but not see a dog, for example, in someone's fenced yard, that might make them very jumpy. Once they get used to it, it won't faze them. (Ours are now next door to a kennel full of yapping pit bulls and they don't notice them any more. But I pity these supposed "guard" dogs if they ever get out!)

-Who lived there before them? Strange smells may make them nervous. Any major changes in diet or water can also stress them out.

-A steady routine will help them adjust better. Feeding and visiting them at the same time every day; the same person, etc. Once they are used to things, a little variation will help keep them from freaking out if you are late once in a while. Also, bring someone else along with you every once in a while, so if you *can't* come, they won't freak if someone else comes.

Now, in our experience, we've never met animals who were more social and friendly or more adapatable, so I would say if they don't straighten up pretty quickly, maybe ask a vet to take a look. (Illness or injury will make anyone feel cranky!)

Please keep us posted! Are they full-sized or mini's? Gender(s)? Oh, I guess that's something else. If a jenny is in heat or you have an intact jack, then all bets are off!

Donkeys are the best! The original Dems were onto something:

Strong. Smart. Friendly. Make and keep strong bonds. Loyal. Playful. Compassionate. Kind. Protective. Generous. Expressive. Resilient.

All the values and qualities I would look for in a political party!

:kick: :kick: :kick:

[mainer]

7. thanks for all the tips!

We took in five donkeys, three regular sized, two minis. Two of the larger ones seem pretty old, with cataracts, but we don't know anything about their history, or even how old they are -- all we know is that they've been together for a long time, and their previous owner couldn't take care of them any longer. One big jack (neutered) is so skittish we almost wonder if he might have been abused at one point. The two minis are 8-month-old jacks who still have to be neutered.

They're all adorable, and we can hug and brush the babies no problem. It's the older ones with "issues".

Yes, we do have coyotes in the area, and at night they can be heard howling. So maybe that's making them uneasy.

Yes, I agree with your assessment of donkeys -- intelligent, curious, and judging by the history of the species, very hardworking and sociable. The perfect symbol for the Democratic party. We hope to someday walk the minis in a July 4 parade under the Democratic banner.

[LWolf]

8. My (limited) experience with donkeys:

They are REALLY smart. That means that they'll figure a way around any obstacle you put in front of their goal. Be happy that they like their pen, because if they didn't, you might spend a lot of time reinforcing/rebuilding/redesigning it.

Jacks (intact) are extremely aggressive, at least towards other animals.
They are also excessively noisy.

If it weren't for the noise and fence issues, I'd keep one or two gelded donkeys as companion animals for my horses.

[mainer]

9. Luckily, they don't seem inclined to go anywhere.

It's been a few weeks now since I started this thread. Now when I walk into the enclosure, 4/5 of the donkeys come over and start harrassing me for apples. So I guess they're over their fear. But I still can't get them to do anything I want them to do -- like follow me on a lead!