BARLEY HIGH MINIATURE DONKEY STUD

Members of the Miniature Mediterranean Donkey Association of the UK

SET IN THE BEAUTIFUL SUFFOLK COUNTRYSIDE

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

How long do Miniature  Donkeys live?.... 30-40 Years and should be considered a life long friend.

Can I keep one miniature donkey?..... No - donkeys are herd animals and a single donkey will be most unhappy. No matter how much attention you are able to give, please believe us, donkeys are like shoes and should come in pairs! It is not essential however to have two miniature donkeys, a small standard donkey will make an equally good companion for a miniature donkey.

 

 How much land do I need to keep two miniature donkeys? .... This does depend on what grade of land you have but as a rule of thumb 1 acre will be sufficient. In summer the field will need to be divided into smaller areas to restrict the amount of rich spring grass available to the donkeys. If your grass is rich then we recommend strip grazing during spring. With the current wet weather however remember that land can become too muddy and wet to use, so 2 acres will allow you to leave part of your pasture to recover.
 Will I need a stable?...... Yes, in our opinion miniature donkeys need a stable at night and also a field shelter for those wet days and to provide shade in hot sunny weather.

What is the gestation time of a miniature donkey?..... A jenny (female) donkey will carry her foal between 11 - 13 months, although the average of 12 months is most likely.
Can I keep two stallions together? ... No - under no circumstances will two entire jacks (males) live together peacefully, once they reach maturity (approximately 14-18 months) they will consider each other as rivals and fight continually. Sexual maturity can come as early as 6 months
Two geldings make the best of friends to each other and you.

Are Miniature Donkeys expensive to maintain?.... Miniature donkeys are not expensive to feed, in Summer provided they have grass to graze, a small quantity (two pounds) of barley straw is all they will require every day, apart from a mineral lick and fresh water. During cold winter months two pounds of good quality hay, a handful of non-heating food such as Dengie Lite and Pasture mix along with an ad lib amount of good clean barley straw will suffice (with the mineral lick and clean water).
The same inoculations as any other equine are needed and they should be wormed regularly. Feet need to be rasped and trimmed every 6-8 weeks and teeth need to be checked at least once every two years.

 

 How can I purchase a Miniature Mediterranean Donkey?... Since these little donkeys are quite rare in the UK you may have to put your name down on a waiting list with a breeder. Contact the breed club (Miniature Mediterranean Donkey Association) and they will be pleased to supply a list of breeders who are members of the association.
Ensure any foal offered to you is registered with the MMDA and ask to see the pedigree. Two gelding foals will be lower price than jenny (female) foals. Decide whether you want your miniatures as pets, or whether you wish to breed. Pet quality foals will be less expensive than top conformation breeding quality. This does not infer any problem with a pet quality foal, it simply means that only the very best conformation animals should be used for breeding.
 Visit our donkeys, please telephone 01394 450615
More pictures.

Starlight, our first miniature jenny, arriving at Heathrow International Terminal from Texas. She was just six months old and arrived on a cold April morning. We had to wait another three and half years before her first foal Christobell was born. Christobell's sire has over four hundred recorded ancestors in his pedigree.

 

 

2002 Here is Merlynda, our first foal of the season making friends with
our old Pug. Maybe the caption should read

"You're not my Mummy are you?"

 

 

Telephone 01394-450615
Jill & Ken Allen-Melvin