The Ultimate Guide to Buying Donkeys in Australia

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Welcome to Sunny Acres Donkey Farm!

This is our guide to for potential donkey owners to give you a good head start for being a successful donkey owner with happy donkeys.

A bit about donkeys:

Donkeys are amazing! My donkeys make my heart so happy, and they are always happy to see me with or without treats. My grandchildren just love them which is perfect donkeys as well cared for can live for fifty years so they may all be gifted one someday .

A donkey is an equine and related to a horse however they have very different temperaments. It’s good to research this well so that you understand them, of course every donkey has its own personality but in general they have traits. A horse reacts to situations a donkey will assess the situation before reacting and this is where donkeys get a reputation as stubborn.

Ethical breeders will not sell you just one donkey unless you already have one …or a few like me. Donkeys don’t like to be without another donkey even when they have other companion animals. So be prepared to own at least two. Donkeys bond they will form a lifelong bond with another donkey and with you also.

SHOULD I BUY A JENNY OR A JACK DONKEY?

A male donkey is called Jack, and a female is Jenny.

Donkey owners should not contemplate getting a Jack for a pet! Generally, only breeders should own a Jack. They can be unpredictable and are very sexually aggressive so if they had one Jenny she would be harassed continually. Two Jenny’s are fine or gelded Jacks together or with Jenny’s.

A donkey will need a fenced paddock and the size will depend on where you are located. They will need a shelter, donkeys' coats are not waterproof. You will need a halter and lead rope foot pick and whatever brushes you like for grooming.

WHAT CONDITIONS DO I NEED FOR HAPPY DONKEYS?

Donkeys are desert animals and can therefore tolerate hot and cold conditions remembering desert nights get very cold.

They need access to clean water. I do clean them out once they have drunk the level a bit low. Our donkeys are on bore water and are doing fine. Our grass is quite hard, and they are doing well on it. We do give them straw and a bit of good hay twice a day.

It’s very important not to get donkeys fat as they are very susceptible to hyperlipaemia. If you have donkeys, it is well worth being familiar with it so that your donkeys do not get it.

DONKEY HOOF CARE

When owning donkeys’ factor in that they will need hoof care. I clean out hooves once a week as we have very dry ground but if we are getting rain ill do it more frequently.

I have a farrier come about every six to eight weeks for a trim. Even when you know their hooves will be clean it’s a good idea to give them a lift to keep in practice (for me more than the donkeys 😊

DONKEY VETS

I have a couple of vets I have a relationship with for teeth check-ups and vaccinations and in case I am concerned with anything.

If you are looking at and with your donkeys you will soon notice if they are not well, donkeys are very stoic, so it pays to notice little changes in behaviour.

RECOMMENDED DONKEY RESOURCES

I was gifted “The Donkey Companion – Selecting, Training, Breeding, Enjoying and Caring for Donkeys” by Sue Weaver with my first donkey and have read it from start to finish and find it a useful reference.

I am a registered breeder with the Donkey All Breeds Society of Australia where you can find more information about the code of ethical behaviour in owning, breeding and selling donkeys.