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Mission Statement |
We are deeply committed to raising the very finest miniature donkeys possible. All foals are imprinted at birth, and handled everyday. We have had extensive experience using our miniature donkeys as "therapy animals." We have several jennet that has logged over 1000 hours of community service: visiting nursing homes, challenged people, schools, and churches. |
Miniature Donkeys are native to the Mediterranean islands of Sicily and Sardinia. Miniature Donkeys have not been bred down in size. The 25-30 Miniature Donkeys originally imported into the U.S. were between the sizes of 32" and 38" with the majority of them being in the 35"-37" size range. Over the years, breeders have concentrated more on the 32"-33" size, and today your most desirable and well-conformed donkeys are from 31" to 35". The word "miniature" usually connotates animals that have been bred-down in size, so keep in mind that 'Miniature Donkeys' are simply diminutive, and not bred down such as is the case of many other 'miniature' animals. |
The most prevalent color for Miniature Donkeys is gray-dun which consists of a gray colored body, light colored nose - or dark colored nose -, light colored belly and inside legs, with a dark color dorsal stripe down the back and over the shoulders. The dorsal stripe is known as the donkeys cross. There are variations of this gray-dun from dark to light. As with most animals, donkeys can range in color from black to white and everything in between. True blacks are rare with black/browns (not quite black) being more common. There are chestnut/sorrels which are various shades of reddish brown. There are also white donkeys and "spotted" donkeys. Some people refer to spotted as "pinto" and this really boils down to semantics. Spotted or pintos are generally gray or brown and white. There are also various colors of roans. Roan coloring is black, brown, gray hairs intermingled with white hairs. Donkeys do not breed true to color. Since gray-dun is by far the predominant gene, you can breed black to black and get gray-dun, spotted to spotted and get gray-dun, etc. Never knowing what color foal will be produced is part of the excitement of having foals. Colors other than the typical gray-dun makes the donkey more exotic looking therefore increases their price. |
What is a Miniature Donkey.... |
Colors |
Care & Management |
Interested in purchasing one of our donkeys? Contact Holly 518-569-1263 |
Last updated: 9/30/18 |
Donkey Vitals Normal Temperature: Adult: 97.2-100 F Under 2: 97.8 Normal Pulse: Adult; 36-68 Under 2: 44-88 Respirations: Adult: 12-44 Under 2: 16-48 |
Butternut Ridge Registered Donkeys |
Donkeys need to be watched closely because they can become over cut back on the amount of feed they are getting. A bale of hay can weigh up to 50 pounds-but if you cut the bale twine that holds it together, it will separate into precut blocks called "flakes." Most people will feed a flake of hay in the morning and a flake at night. We recommend feeding by weight. You should feed between 1-2% of the donkeys body weight. We typically feed at a rate of 1.5% and this way we can adjust up or down depending on the donkeys weight. Miniature Donkeys do not require grain, and will become overweight if given grain or treats. They should not be on pasture for more than an hour a day, and even that might prove to be too much. Click here to read this article that show s donkey that has been over fed and has a broken crest. Please be aware of your donkeys weight so this doesn't happen to your donkey. Provide a salt and mineral block. They should be kept in a dry place and be available to the miniature donkeys at all times. Leave fresh water out for the miniature donkey to drink at all times. Check the water twice a day to ensure it is clean and that no dead insects or algae are floating in it. They should always have shelter from rain, snow, wind, hot sun, and flies! It should be dry and draft-free. Fencing need only be four feet high, woven wire is considered a safe and popular choice. Donkeys can withstand cold temperatures as long as they have shelter and are fed properly (extra hay not grain) in really cold weather. Miniature donkeys are "herd" animals. To avoid undue stress and loneliness, it is strongly recommended they not be kept singularly but with another Miniature Donkey or other animal as a life-long friend. Always remove the halter before leaving your miniature donkey. The Miniature Donkey is a compact, well-proportioned animal with a sweet, sociable disposition. At maturity (3 years), it is able to pull a cart or carry a pack as it did in its native Sicily and Sardinia |
Legend tells us the donkey that carried Jesus into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday followed Him to Calvary. Appalled by the sight of Jesus on the cross, the donkey turned away but could not leave. It is said that the shadow of the cross fell upon the shoulders and back of the donkey. A cross marking found on many donkeys today remains a testimony of the love and devotion of a humble, little donkey. |
Legend of the Donkey's Cross |
Butternut Ridge Miniature Donkeys - All Rights Reserved Webmastered by Holly Besaw |
Elliot Herd Sire |