Many farmers around the country have a strict regimen of keeping their livestock safe from predators. Donkeys have a tendency to fight if cornered, which is why they are frequently used as livestock guardians on many farms. A donkey will even alert you (usually with a snarl) if any of the other animals you are caring for are at risk from predators.
Farms have donkeys to work as guard animals for sheep and goats because donkeys are hardier and more ornery than they. Donkeys are also useful as laborers and pack animals, so they may be used to carry material or perform monotonous tasks. They are also loyal pets for those whom they become used to.
Donkeys are not flighted animals, as are horses, so it is not so easy to scare them into doing or being certain things. Donkeys are not naturally defensive animals, but they will fight off predators if they feel threatened. While a pack of horses will sprint away from a predator, with the slowest in the pack being killed, donkeys are much more likely to stand their ground and fight.
Donkeys Are Somewhat Ornery
There is a considerable risk of the horse getting no friendly interaction from a donkey. The same is true of other animals; just because you intend a donkey to be the mate of a particular animal does not mean they will immediately or even pleasantly get along.
There is very little, if any, the reason why donkeys would be able to bond directly with livestock, and from experience in the Sanctuary, horses often pushed donkeys because they had herding mindsets which the donkeys did not. For many farmers or ranchers who have experience owning the latter, the assumption is often made that caring for donkeys is similar. While donkeys and horses are both horses, they are very different in several ways, and they will need different needs to meet to succeed with them.
In many countries, donkeys are highly valued for their work capacity. They are an excellent addition to farms working with children and adults who have disabilities. For the younger family who is just starting in farming or ranching, donkeys could make an outstanding addition.
Well-trained donkeys make a great introduction to riding animals for younger children and are favorite saddle mounts for many of their owners. Many donkey owners who also own horses praise the donkeys’ intelligence and good nature. Donkeys make great companions for noisy youngsters or those who cannot get along with the rest of a horse’s herd.
Donkeys Are Reliable Pack Animals
Donkeys have long been used as pack animals and to do plowing in agriculture, among other things, but some people are now finding the smarts and alertness of a donkey make it suitable as an animal companion on the range, a guardian of livestock, or occasionally as an animal companion to horses.
Donkeys may be stubborn, but they are also smart, alert animals who are good draft animals, guardians of other animals, and more. Despite their nicknames and reputation as being stubborn, donkeys are intelligent, efficient guardians of livestock. Larger donkeys may be excellent as livestock guardians, protecting smaller farm animals like goats and sheep from predators like coyotes and neighborhood dogs.
While small donkeys can be successfully pastured alongside horses, you are not advised to graze them alongside goats or sheep. Miniature donkeys are a good choice for homesteads and small-acreage farms, as they require (at least) 1 acre of land for grazing.
Donkeys are pack animals, so adding miniature donkeys to your homestead means adding at least two miniature dudes to your family homestead. Donkeys are excellent package animals and working animals, which is why a lot of farmers have donkeys on their farms that assist in household tasks.
Donkeys Are Companions and Decent Guards
Many farm owners use donkeys as companion animals to horses, cows, ponies, miniature horses, and other farm animals. Donkeys can make excellent farm animals, however, there is a flip side to every great idea. Donkeys are better in places where coyotes can pose a problem, however, they cannot do magic there either.
They do not have any trouble standing up to predators such as coyotes and dogs who may be coming after them and other cattle on the range. Many livestock owners put a burro into the pastures as protection from coyotes, dogs, and other predators. Their hind legs are the donkey’s best line of defense against predators, but sometimes they kick at other farm animals, or even at their owners.
A donkey does not need to be walked, sheared, or fenced, you can simply leave them in a pasture and they will do their thing. They generally do well with horses, goats, sheep, and small farm animals. If space is limited, take one of the burros for the company, they will cost much less than another horse of the same size. Donkeys are also cheaper to purchase than horses, require less transportation (given their smaller size), and can live into their late 30s if properly taken care of.
Although mules or burros are more commonly used as pets in the U.S., donkeys’ abilities as draft animals should not be overlooked. Donkeys are used in work throughout rural, suburban, and urban areas, where they supplement transportation services. Donkeys integrated with livestock operations are one of the many methods used by Federal Agencies to assist farmers and ranchers to prevent attacks by wildlife predators on their animals.
While I think that donkeys are a little bit less of a pain than horses (and a whole host of other animals), their hooves can become a bit of a hot point. However, your donkey’s feet are harder than horses’ hooves, so they will not need to be shod quite as frequently. Donkeys and mules have different hoof shapes from horses, so you will want to be sure that your farrier is familiar with their specific hoof setup. Donkeys and mules do not have the large shoulders that horses have, so their saddles have a special tailpiece called the croupier, which keeps the saddle and the rider from sliding forward on the animal’s neck.
