Anyone with burro/donkey?

[txlawdog]

Trying to get some information from anyone who has a donkey/burro on their property. Looking for the pros and cons. There is an adoption program near me next weekend. Probably won't be able to do this right now but want to look into. I have 50 acres in Real County and thought it would be cool to have them around. I live fairly close and could make sure they had food and water.. Let me know what you have found out if you have one or more on your place. They seem to do better in pairs from what I have read. They are adopting out wild burros and horses, don't think I can do the horse thing. I love horses but don't want to get one of those and go crazy trying to get it tame enough to be around.

[munchie]

My mother in law has a pair she got for a few dollars at an auction at least ten years ago. They are very low maintenance and she really enjoys them. They are pretty friendly and I would also think a pair would be better than a single. 50 acres would be plenty for them to roam.

[CEO]

Is this a government adoption program? My uncle adopted a donkey from one thinking it was a nice thing to do. He thought he could just turn it out on his property and let it live out its days. Then the program wanted him to do all types of follow up and paperwork that eventually got out of hand. I was dying laughing hearing him tell the story.

He eventually told them to leave him alone, or come retrieve the donkey. Didn't bother him after that. Said it was pretty mean. Had one of his horses on the ground with a mouth full of hide one day. Entertaining animal to have around the house from the way he described it.

[Razorback01]

In for the comedians. Might be as good as a beaver thread.

[txlawdog]

Is this a government adoption program? My uncle adopted a donkey from one thinking it was a nice thing to do. He thought he could just turn it out on his property and let it live out its days. Then the program wanted him to do all types of follow up and paperwork that eventually got out of hand. I was dying laughing hearing him tell the story.

He eventually told them to leave him alone, or come retrieve the donkey. Didn't bother him after that. Said it was pretty mean. Had one of his horses on the ground with a mouth full of hide one day. Entertaining animal to have around the house from the way he described it.

Yes, it is an adoption program. They have an "incentive" program to pay you to adopt. I'm sure that would require some feedback on my point. That is why I am going to check things out before I commit to anything I will be sorry for. I was hoping there would be no bothering from them if I did not want the "adoption assistance money", but we shall see. I like the idea of something roaming around other than the pass thru deer and darn hogs. Wanting to try and direct the hogs to just one area if that is possible. Mother nature's free bacon and backstraps for the taking. Sometimes the feeders look like there are at least 4 generations devouring all my corn. Time to fence off the feeders like the protein feeder.

[Southbound 85]

My Jenny has a sweet little personality and will talk to you from across the pasture anytime she sees you. If you acknowledge or wave to her she will come running and wait at the fence for a hug. Kids can ride her but she’s older & I don’t let them often. I’d let her inside if she wouldn’t poop on my floors. I sort of believe she wouldn’t but I’m not willing to test the theory on my wife’s travertine tile.

We used her in her youth to halter break show cattle using a big Jim breaking halter. She would drag those calves everywhere she wanted to go for about 10 days then they were gentle as a ladybug. They say they’re good livestock guardians too and while I don’t know if she is, I’ve never lost a calf in her field.

[Razorback01]

I’ve heard folks use them to protect sheep/goats.

[Texans42]

I’ve heard folks use them to protect sheep/goats.

Ive had them stomp new born calves to death. Not a fan. Only thing they are good for are training roping horses

[curtintex]

Ive had them stomp new born calves to death. Not a fan. Only thing they are good for are training roping horses

I had two until one started biting chunks out of my calves. They got shipped out quick.

[Hatfield]

Over the years we have lost calves to coyotes. We got 4 donkeys some years ago and haven't lost any calves since. They are very protective over the heard but they are mean as can be.

[7sdad]

There are two on the place I deer hunt and they are wilder than anything I've ever seen but they do protect the cows. They will scare the crap out of you when walking to your stand at before daylight and they made a really loud noise at ya.

[CEO]

Yes, it is an adoption program. They have an "incentive" program to pay you to adopt. I'm sure that would require some feedback on my point. That is why I am going to check things out before I commit to anything I will be sorry for. I was hoping there would be no bothering from them if I did not want the "adoption assistance money", but we shall see. I like the idea of something roaming around other than the pass thru deer and darn hogs. Wanting to try and direct the hogs to just one area if that is possible. Mother nature's free bacon and backstraps for the taking. Sometimes the feeders look like there are at least 4 generations devouring all my corn. Time to fence off the feeders like the protein feeder.

Yeah, just check it out beforehand. My uncle is pretty set financially so I don't think his had anything to do with assistance money.

[J-5]

Now the govt. is giving away free ***!

[Greenheadless]

My Jenny has a sweet little personality and will talk to you from across the pasture anytime she sees you. If you acknowledge or wave to her she will come running and wait at the fence for a hug. Kids can ride her but she’s older & I don’t let them often. I’d let her inside if she wouldn’t poop on my floors. I sort of believe she wouldn’t but I’m not willing to test the theory on my wife’s travertine tile.

We used her in her youth to halter break show cattle using a big Jim breaking halter. She would drag those calves everywhere she wanted to go for about 10 days then they were gentle as a ladybug. They say they’re good livestock guardians too and while I don’t know if she is, I’ve never lost a calf in her field.

Was she a wild caught adoptee?

[kcnatural]

You can't use a jack for goat and sheep protection, they will kill them. A jenny can be used but you have to keep an eye on them for a while. I've seen jennys stomp and kill kid goats and pick up grown ones by the neck and toss them.