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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
Butternut Ridge Miniature Donkey

Interested in purchasing one
of our donkeys?
Contact
Holly
518-569-1263
Hosting by Aabaco Web Hosting
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
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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