Reality Check - Donkey business

Marion van Dijk says that donkeys are ideal pets for lifestyles. Photo / The Aucklander

Yes, they are biased, but Peter and Marion van Dijk reckon that donkeys are the perfect animals for lifestyle blocks. "We say they are the ultimate lifestyle pet," says Peter. "They are more like dogs than horses and love human interaction."

The couple run the Clovercrest Miniature Donkey Stud near Pukekohe. For many years they had just two donkeys, an English jenny and a little Ponui Island jack.

Then, says Peter, "Ten years ago we spent the kids' inheritance and imported an American Mediterranean miniature donkey from the United States and these are the only ones we have now. We have three jacks with unrelated bloodlines and some 15 jennies. It is purely a retirement hobby for us. We love them to bits. They are our kids now that our own have flown the coop."

Peter says people considering getting donkeys need to be prepared to spend time with them and make sure they have other animals for company.

"Donkeys are herd animals and must have a companion animal - preferably another donkey, but a horse is also fine," Peter says. "And never buy an unhandled (usually cheap) donkey that does not trust or care for humans and won't let you touch its feet."

Donkeys are hardy animals and do not need much care. But they do need a fenced enclosure, adequate food and a constant supply of fresh water, regular treatment for parasites and dental inspections.

"The main item to keep on top of is hoof care," says Peter. "Donkeys are desert animals and, on our usually soft New Zealand soils, their hoofs need to be looked at every eight weeks depending on whether they walk in wet or dry conditions.

"Another important thing is to keep them from getting too fat, so access to grass will need to be restricted at times."

About 0.4ha is plenty of space for a couple of small donkeys.

"These don't eat much more than a sheep," Peter says. "Depending on the time of the year, we supplement with hay and a handful of hard feed. We have fresh water and a salt block in the paddock and normal stock fencing is fine." Donkeys don't like rain and must have at least a simple three-sided shelter to be able to get out of the worst weather. "And roughage is important, so we feed some good-quality hay daily, all year round."

The Van Dijks suggest that prospective owners read books, especially Donkey Business III, and look on websites such as the Donkey and Mule Society.

A well-handled standard-sized donkey from a reputable breeder should cost from $800 to $1200, depending on whether it's a gelding or a jenny.

The Van Dijks warn that jacks are not suitable as pets.

Their miniature donkeys grow to a maximum height of 91cm at the withers and are relatively new in New Zealand. "These will cost $2500 for a gelding and from $5000 for a weanling jenny foal, depending on quality and bloodlines. They are expensive because of the huge importation costs." - Donna McIntyre

www.clovercrest.co.nz

www.donkey-mule.org.nz