Donkey Behavior normal or no

Foot · 10-21-2009, 07:21 PM

Hello folks

We have one mini donk. He is sweet as pie mostly. He is pastured with our Mini Zebu (one bull and 2 heifers). All are yearlings and all are about the same size. For the most part everyone gets along without a hitch. We do tie the donkey when we feed sweet feed just so he doesn't make a pig of himself. They all seem to do fine grazing and sharing any hay we put our for them.. Recently the donkey has taken to pushing the heifers around a bit. Nipping at them to get them to move here or there. Mostly he doesn't seem to like it when they lay down. He seems to want them up grazing. He hasn't hurt anyone and they don't seem to fear him. So... we just wonder is this normal and just establishing the pecking order or should we be more concerned?

...Foot

HighValleyRanch · 10-22-2009, 09:43 AM

Perfectly normal. He just thinks that he is the alpha male, and has to tell the herd when to eat, when to move over for him, etc.

Our mammoth jack does that all the time. He nips to make them move, barges into everyones space, uses his huge size to knock the other donks over, and makes them go where he wants.

He's just being the boss........that is until i'm out there. Then I am the boss, and he won't do any of that while I am around. But as soon as I go back into the house, he's in charge again!

singing tree · 10-22-2009, 11:37 AM

The only issue I would be concerned about was whether the cattle were getting enough time to lay down and chew their cud. I imagine he will get tired of trying to keep them all up after a while, and let them be...

muttduck · 10-22-2009, 12:32 PM

How old is he? If he's young, it might be a 'play' thing.
Is he gelded? If he's not gelded, it might be a testosterone thing.
Is it possible that he feels there's a threat to them, that you aren't seeing?

As long as the cattle can get some rest and be able to process their cuds, I wouldn't worry about it. But if it is excessive, you might need to separate him for periods in the day.

Foot · 10-23-2009, 05:30 PM

thank you

Clippity-Clop · 10-23-2009, 07:20 PM

Our Medium sized Donkey was a jack when we first got him (has since been gelded). He would (and still will sometimes) chase the cows down. He will grab their necks and run them until the poor cows can go no more. Their tongue will be hanging down to the ground and they will pitifully bellow. So we keep him with the horses now who give him both barrels if he tries any stupid stuff. We have put him back with the cattle and sometimes he is fine. Sometimes he goes back to the same stuff. Gelding did not help that particular behavior. Good luck with your mini. He probably can't be as much of a pain since he is shorter ;o)...

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10-21-2009, 07:21 PM
Foot Newborn Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Nassua County Florida U.S.A. Posts: 8	Donkey Behavior normal or no Hello folks We have one mini donk. He is sweet as pie mostly. He is pastured with our Mini Zebu (one bull and 2 heifers). All are yearlings and all are about the same size. For the most part everyone gets along without a hitch. We do tie the donkey when we feed sweet feed just so he doesn't make a pig of himself. They all seem to do fine grazing and sharing any hay we put our for them.. Recently the donkey has taken to pushing the heifers around a bit. Nipping at them to get them to move here or there. Mostly he doesn't seem to like it when they lay down. He seems to want them up grazing. He hasn't hurt anyone and they don't seem to fear him. So... we just wonder is this normal and just establishing the pecking order or should we be more concerned? ...Foot

10-22-2009, 09:43 AM
HighValleyRanch Newborn Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Cobb Mt., Northern California Posts: 41	normal Perfectly normal. He just thinks that he is the alpha male, and has to tell the herd when to eat, when to move over for him, etc. Our mammoth jack does that all the time. He nips to make them move, barges into everyones space, uses his huge size to knock the other donks over, and makes them go where he wants. He's just being the boss........that is until i'm out there. Then I am the boss, and he won't do any of that while I am around. But as soon as I go back into the house, he's in charge again!

10-22-2009, 11:37 AM
singing tree Long Yearling Join Date: May 2009 Location: Hartville, Ohio Posts: 1,025	The only issue I would be concerned about was whether the cattle were getting enough time to lay down and chew their cud. I imagine he will get tired of trying to keep them all up after a while, and let them be...

10-22-2009, 12:32 PM
muttduck Kid Safe Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 6,957	How old is he? If he's young, it might be a 'play' thing. Is he gelded? If he's not gelded, it might be a testosterone thing. Is it possible that he feels there's a threat to them, that you aren't seeing? As long as the cattle can get some rest and be able to process their cuds, I wouldn't worry about it. But if it is excessive, you might need to separate him for periods in the day. __________________ Custom stall signs and pet portraits, Wood Burned by hand with your equine's (or pet's) image: www.WoodburnedPetPortraits.com Self Defense Supplies, Stun Guns, Pepper Sprays: https://selfprotectionsupplies.com/

10-23-2009, 05:30 PM
Foot Newborn Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Nassua County Florida U.S.A. Posts: 8	thank you

10-23-2009, 07:20 PM
Clippity-Clop Coming two Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 1,662	Our Medium sized Donkey was a jack when we first got him (has since been gelded). He would (and still will sometimes) chase the cows down. He will grab their necks and run them until the poor cows can go no more. Their tongue will be hanging down to the ground and they will pitifully bellow. So we keep him with the horses now who give him both barrels if he tries any stupid stuff. We have put him back with the cattle and sometimes he is fine. Sometimes he goes back to the same stuff. Gelding did not help that particular behavior. Good luck with your mini. He probably can't be as much of a pain since he is shorter ;o)... __________________