Welcome to Shell Acres Farm.

Raising and Loving

Mediterranean Miniature Donkeys

&

Chinese Crested Dogs

Care of the Miniature Donkey

Miniature donkeys are very healthy animals.  They require the same yearly vaccinations as horses.  They should also be wormed with an equine wormer (not Quest or Ivermectin Gold), at a minimum of three times a year, preferably six times a year.  They require the same hoof care as equine and should be trimmed at least three times a year.

Donkeys can survive on good quality hay alone.  A good hay to feed donkeys is a mixture of alfalfa and grass, if a donkey needs to put on some weight or quality grass hay if the donkey is already in good weight.  Pure alfalfa is too rich a feed for Miniature Donkeys and does not set well with their digestive system.  They can also become extremely fat on alfalfa hay.  With severe droughts often occurring in different parts of the county, sometimes only poor quality hay is available and in this case, donkeys should be supplemented with a 10% - 12% equine sweet feed.  Adult donkeys are termed “easy Keepers” meaning they utilize their feed very efficiently and you must be careful that they do not get fat.  Fat donkeys will develop a “crest” – or fat roll – on their necks that will be there for life once it develops.

An excellent feed routine was recommended to me and is as follows.
For Miniature Donkeys
½ pound Steamed Crimped Oats
1 tbsp corn oil
1 tbsp Clovite or Durvite
Mix together, once a day, in the evening.  The oats must be the steamed, crimped ones to get the full benefit of protein.  They contain 10% protein.  Then good grass hay in the morning and supplementing evening if needs be.

Miniature Donkeys LOVE treats, but be careful not to over indulge your donkey, remember it is like you eating candy!  Never, never feed a donkey from your hand…always place the treat in their food dish or on the ground

Always have fresh water available.  If it freezes in the winter months, get a tank heater to keep it thawed.