If you were in my situation.. Would you?

Hungry wolves tonight ;)

A lot of assumptions made here. It sounds like you are still at home and therefore could afford another.. For now. I presume you intend to move out at some point so perhaps you need to consider what would happen then. If you would still keeP the animals very cheaply on your parents land then why not?
 
No that's true. But donkeys actually need quite specific and specialist care. Whichever way you look at it you're spending the absolute minimum required on them (however your hay and livery costs help you with this).

Donkeys actually don't do well with the cold or wet - so you actually do have animals that would prefer stabling during these times. They also dont have waterproof coats, so may like a rug when out in the wet. Donkeys should also have free access to a mineral or salt block. So they too need access to this daily suppliment.

Donkeys are also susceptible to internal parasites. So unless you manage your grazing via wormcounts and blood tests, need worming more than twice a year.
 
I wouldn't personally.
And I would separate the jack and the filly otherwise you'll end up with a lovely mule to feed and take care off, and with a foal you may find yourself in a pickle moneywise, they are MUCH more demanding that any other donkey/horse. :)
 
touchstone said:
I'd look at it from the perspective that if it cost you £500, would you still be wanting it?
This is the problem with 'free to good home', it encourages folk who probably wouldn't be looking to impulsively go out and get a 'freebie' - and as we all know, with horses there is no such thing!

If you wait until you are financially secure in full time employment (and then it is time that becomes an issue with youngsters) maybe think about it then, but honestly with the three (possibly more) donkeys I think you'll have enough on.
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Thankyou.

I think someone (Was it you? wrote earlier, that if it cost £500..) In all honesty, no I wouldn't, and it was that comment and comments like this, which has made me think twice about the impulse of buying him!
 
ReadySaltedPeanuts said:
Jack lived 5 years on the new forest, untouched.. and the majority of donkeys I know, have not been rugged, unless for reasons (Such as old age, or medical.) :)
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Lucky you. Our donkey has been rugged all winter as the poor chap gets very cold when it rains as he has no waterproofing like the horses do.
 
amymay said:
No that's true. But donkeys actually need quite specific and specialist care. Whichever way you look at it you're spending the absolute minimum required on them (however your hay and livery costs help you with this).

Donkeys actually don't do well with the cold or wet - so you actually do have animals that would prefer stabling during these times. They also dont have waterproof coats, so may like a rug when out in the wet. Donkeys should also have free access to a mineral or salt block. So they too need access to this daily suppliment.

Donkeys are also susceptible to internal parasites. So unless you manage your grazing via wormcounts and blood tests, need worming more than twice a year.
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Like I said in my previous comment, my Jack lived 5 years on the forest, untouched, and un-rugged.. and the most of donkeys I know do not have rugs.

Mine do have access to a barn if the weather does get rough, although through the majority of the winter, even having the barn open for them to go in, with haynets inside, they are still outside in the rain grazing.. They also have very large hedgerows to shelter under from wind and rain.

Mine have access for a himalayan salt rock in their field.

I haven't done a worm-count, but I think I would be interested in doing one to find out, I use my wormer which was recommended to me by someone who breeds and owns alot of donkeys. So I trust him to know best..
 
Lolo said:
Lucky you. Our donkey has been rugged all winter as the poor chap gets very cold when it rains as he has no waterproofing like the horses do.
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ReadySaltedPeanuts said:
Like I said in my previous comment, my Jack lived 5 years on the forest, untouched, and un-rugged.. and the most of donkeys I know do not have rugs.

Mine do have access to a barn if the weather does get rough, although through the majority of the winter, even having the barn open for them to go in, with haynets inside, they are still outside in the rain grazing.. They also have very large hedgerows to shelter under from wind and rain.

Mine have access for a himalayan salt rock in their field.

I haven't done a worm-count, but I think I would be interested in doing one to find out, I use my wormer which was recommended to me by someone who breeds and owns alot of donkeys. So I trust him to know best..
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See above..
 
Billie1007 said:
Hungry wolves tonight ;)

A lot of assumptions made here. It sounds like you are still at home and therefore could afford another.. For now. I presume you intend to move out at some point so perhaps you need to consider what would happen then. If you would still keeP the animals very cheaply on your parents land then why not?
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I am still at home, and do intend to move out at somepoint in the future, and will still be able to keep the animals on the land they are on now! :)
 
sprytzer said:
I really feel sorry for your YEARLING filly, just a baby herself and maybe having a baby as well!!
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This.
Sorry.

And you'll only be able to keep (and care for) the animals on the land they are currently on if you get a job right near your home. Which might be possible and might not. But anyway will limit you at the start of your career.
 
I'm not jumping on you op, just expressing my feelings...

ReadySaltedPeanuts said:
Jack lived 5 years on the new forest, untouched.. and the majority of donkeys I know, have not been rugged, unless for reasons (Such as old age, or medical.) :)
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Just because he did, doesn't mean he should have.

sprytzer said:
I really feel sorry for your YEARLING filly, just a baby herself and maybe having a baby as well!!
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I completely agree and in all honesty op, this is irresponsible. If you want to breed them, by all means do, but let her get a couple of years older first. Section her off. And remember that if she is pregnant you will have to feed more than hay to meet basic needs during pregnancy. I'd personally not breed... Give the donkey sanctuary a call and ask how many very well bred donkeys are turning up on their doorstep, its obscene how many horses, ponies and donkeys are being bred and abandoned/neglected/tossed aside... The world does not need more it needs less. It's just not the right time (in terms of what's going on on a wider scale) and certainly in terms of your Jenny.
 
Is there a reason why you are keeping them together? She will get in foal and is far too young.
 
ReadySaltedPeanuts said:
Because it is my decision.
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Well on that basis then no you should not get that youngster, your attitude to ownership is not up to caring for horses neither is your understanding of the impact your decisions will have on the health and well being of your current animals. A baby that is still growing and so young does not need to be carrying and providing nutritionally for a baby... It will cause damage, especially when it's only being fed hay and grass.

*walking away from thread in disgust!*
 
Queenbee said:
Just because he did, doesn't mean he should have.
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do you expect the donkeys forest owners to go out on the forset every night, find him, and put a rug on him??? if he was born and grew up on the forest of course he wouldnt have a rug on..... he didnt die in the 5 years on the forest...so im pretty sure he can cope without a rug now!

op youve been torn to shreds!!!! hho strong minded users really out in force tonight! (hate to think what i would be cut down for... put SHOES on my horses, dont feed STRAIGHTS!, they live IN over night, and they get given a HAYNET!)
no dont buy the welsh, they can be awful little bu**ers and more trouble than they are worth....
 
TandD said:
do you expect the donkeys forest owners to go out on the forset every night, find him, and put a rug on him??? if he was born and grew up on the forest of course he wouldnt have a rug on..... he didnt die in the 5 years on the forest...so im pretty sure he can cope without a rug now!

op youve been torn to shreds!!!! hho strong minded users really out in force tonight! (hate to think what i would be cut down for... put SHOES on my horses, dont feed STRAIGHTS!, they live IN over night, and they get given a HAYNET!)
no dont buy the welsh, they can be awful little bu**ers and more trouble than they are worth....
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Actually, if you read the earlier posts, most were very gentle advising (in response to op asking people to talk her out of it) that she probably had enough on her plate... I think the strongest views are as a result of the baby running with the jack, op asking if she should get another one when she is clearly going to have an additional mouth to feed soon and is actively allowing this to happen to a very young Jenny.... People are entitled to their opinions strong or not, they are also entitled to air them. I certainly admit my views and opinions got stronger the more that the op disclosed about the situation. I would have loved to open up the thread and say: nope sorry, can't and won't talk you out of this, go for it... (I even did say that today to a friend who is considering buying a youngster) But it just doesn't seem like the right response in this situation. In fact to offer op any words of encouragement with regards to breeding the Jenny so young, keeping the jack entire or getting another mouth to feed would be In my opinion irresponsible of me.
 
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I agree that OP is getting a hard time of it, but I would seriously consider separating the jenny filly and jack; foaling could be a disastrous experience for the filly and it seems unfair for her to lose out on her time as a playful youngster and have the responsibility of becoming a mum so young. I'd suspect there'd may be a higher risk of the foal being rejected too. Any savings would soon be eaten up in potential further costs.

As for the rugging, I've always been told that donkeys needed rugging in wet weather, but I'm no expert on donkey care and so will accept that if the donkey is happy and healthy it may well not be necessary. :)

There are always differences of opinion in horse care and management, after all, our own personal way is always the right one and everyone else is wrong :p It is a shame when it gets heated, but understandable.

I don't think that breeding so young is a good idea in most people's books however, and I think the OP is probably feeling a bit defensive.

OP - you have three lovely donkeys to enjoy; I'd make the most of them now and I'm sure that the next few years are likely to be so full of busy that you'll be glad you only have the three to do. :) Pushing barrows full of muck is always so much easier in the spring that it can cloud our judgement of just what it is like struggling with the same barrow through a foot of mud in the winter and that is when you'd be cursing the extra ten or so poos a day from just one more. ;)
 
touchstone said:
I agree that OP is getting a hard time of it, but I would seriously consider separating the jenny filly and jack; foaling could be a disastrous experience for the filly and it seems unfair for her to lose out on her time as a playful youngster and have the responsibility of becoming a mum so young. I'd suspect there'd may be a higher risk of the foal being rejected too. Any savings would soon be eaten up in potential further costs.

As for the rugging, I've always been told that donkeys needed rugging in wet weather, but I'm no expert on donkey care and so will accept that if the donkey is happy and healthy it may well not be necessary. :)

There are always differences of opinion in horse care and management, after all, our own personal way is always the right one and everyone else is wrong :p It is a shame when it gets heated, but understandable.

I don't think that breeding so young is a good idea in most people's books however, and I think the OP is probably feeling a bit defensive.

OP - you have three lovely donkeys to enjoy; I'd make the most of them now and I'm sure that the next few years are likely to be so full of busy that you'll be glad you only have the three to do. :) Pushing barrows full of muck is always so much easier in the spring that it can cloud our judgement of just what it is like struggling with the same barrow through a foot of mud in the winter and that is when you'd be cursing the extra ten or so poos a day from just one more. ;)
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Thankyou, going to seperate the Filly and Jack today, I am feeling defensive, I asked a question on here and I get jumped on like a pack of dogs.. The way I care for my animals is my decision, whether it be rugged or un-rugged, entire or gelded, living out or living in. As I look out my window now, and check on my donkeys I will see 3 healhy and happy donkeys, grazing 5 acres to themselves, happy.

Thankyou for your comments, they have been the least / if not the only non-jufgemental comment on here. :)
 
Queenbee said:
Well on that basis then no you should not get that youngster, your attitude to ownership is not up to caring for horses neither is your understanding of the impact your decisions will have on the health and well being of your current animals. A baby that is still growing and so young does not need to be carrying and providing nutritionally for a baby... It will cause damage, especially when it's only being fed hay and grass.

*walking away from thread in disgust!*
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Bye.
 
ReadySaltedPeanuts said:
Because it is my decision.
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Have you considered the Jack may damage her permanently jumping her when she is so young and she could die foaling before she is properly developed to get it out alive. Furthermore even if she got it out successfully rearing a foal when she is this young, will stunt her growth forever?
 
I'm pleased you've decided to separate the filly and jack, perhaps it's also worth considering having the vet out to inject her just to be on the safe side.

If £500 would put you off purchasing the colt in the ad in your first post then I suspect the extra feed/ vets etc for a yearling to have a foal would be a lot more than £500 over the whole pregnancy/ foaling.
 
ReadySaltedPeanuts said:
Okay, if you feel this way then I suggest you find every donkey on the new forest and rug it. because they are clearly going to die from not being rugged.
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You see this is where all sensible debate and discussion breaks down. You have animals that do require quite particular management. Others choosing to ignore those management needs do not mean that you should.
 
A yearling is much to young to have a foal, Its cruel, thoughtless and just plain stupid. Hope you have enough money for the vets bills you will be getting when she has problems foaling etc.

Thats if she does not die in the process.
This has made me so angry!!!
 
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