The Donkeys at Cantitoe Corners
Here at my Bedford, New York farm, no one ever passes the donkey paddock without saying hello to my five fun-loving donkeys - Rufus, Clive, Billie, Jude “JJ” Junior, and Truman “TJ” Junior.
This quintet spends most of the day outdoors in a paddock just down the carriage road from my home. Like many animals, donkeys are happiest when outside where they can roam, roll, and play. These donkeys also bray quite a bit - one can hear them from across the fields. In the afternoon, the five are brought back into the safe and warm stable, where they are groomed and fed.
Enjoy these photos.
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- One look at my donkeys in the morning puts a smile on anyone’s face. Here are three of my five donkeys, the boys – Clive, Rufus, and Truman “TJ” Junior.
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- Every day as soon as the sun is up, all the donkeys are let out into their paddock. Ideally, the outdoor space should consist of donkey-safe grazing pasture, and at least half an acre of land – more if possible.
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- Here are Rufus, Billie, and Jude “JJ” Junior in front of their run-in shelter. When the weather is wet or windy, donkeys need access to a warm and dry shelter.
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- Do you know… a donkey is capable of hearing another donkey from up to 60-miles away in the proper conditions? They have a great sense of hearing, in part because of their large ears.
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- Donkeys are herd animals, so they don’t like being separated from other members of their pack. I am very glad all five get along very well. The donkey or ass is a domesticated member of the horse family, Equidae. The wild ancestor of the donkey is the African wild ass, E. africanus. The donkey has been used as a working animal for at least 5000 years.
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- Here comes Clive – always wanting to be where the action is.
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- Here are my two younger donkeys, Truman “TJ” Junior and Jude “JJ” Junior – affectionately named after my grandchildren. They joined my stable in May 2019 and are doing great. These two are very bonded and are never far apart.
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- Truman Junior is about eight years old now and a little taller than Jude Junior. Male donkeys are called jacks.
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- Jude Junior is about six years old. Female donkeys are called jennets or jennies. Jude Junior is the second jenny to join my herd – Billie is also a female donkey.
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- Here’s a photo of the girls – Jude Junior and Billie.
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- We repurpose natural elements here at the farm whenever possible. We put tree stumps in the paddock – the donkeys love to nibble at the bark and rub up against the wood and scratch.
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- On this day, Truman Junior, was being playful – hiding behind the manger of hay. During winter, when the grass is dead, or at other times of year when there’s not enough, we supplement with good quality meadow hay made right here at the farm.
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- The thing to remember, however, is that donkeys cannot be overfed. Eating too much protein and other nutrient-rich foods can make them sick. They also tend to gain weight very easily. I am very glad these donkeys are in good shape.
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- By late afternoon, the donkeys are ready to return to their stalls for supper. Here they are waiting to be walked to the stable – they know when it’s time. Donkeys require a diet low in protein, sugar, and starch, but high in fiber.
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- Donkeys are calm, intelligent, and have a natural inclination to like people. Donkeys show less obvious signs of fear than horses. Rufus and Truman Junior look over their gate eager for their grains.
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- The donkey’s sense of smell is considered to be similar to the horse. Donkeys greet each other by smelling and blowing in each other’s nose. The smell of breath imparts important information to the donkey. I think Billie is sniffing for a treat.
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- Although donkeys are very conscious of safety in their surroundings, they are also quite curious.
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- The girls always want to know what “the boys” are doing. They have this step, so they can see into the stall next door.
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- The boys are also just as interested to know what their girl friends are up to.
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- All the donkeys have very different and fun personalities. Donkeys have a reputation for stubbornness but this is because of their highly developed sense of self-preservation. It’s difficult to force or frighten a donkey into doing something that’s contrary to its own best interest or safety, yet they continue to make us laugh with their comical and friendly demeanors.
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