It depends on the time of day, the weather, how much grass there is etc etc , but usually they are waiting in the yard for me when I go to lock them in. Tonight (Sunday) we have been out today and I had to lock them in in the dark. Joey was waiting at the bottom of the field but I just called the other three and they all came charging down the field. They normally all start 'eeyoring' as soon as they hear the gate from our garden because at this time of year they all get a bit of hay. @lucypics
@lucypics haha, I wondered what you were going to hatch out this year. Only the 48???? Have you thought about hatching out tortoises some time? Good money in that.
Lovely shot. Isn't it amazing? Donkeys either seem to have a most hard and miserable existence or they are really pampered. There just doesn't seem to be anything in between.
I hope Joey Boy made it without falling asleep on his feet. What a dear boy. What an idyllic place he lives. What a lovely photo.
We were approved by The Donkey Sanctuary to foster donkeys but we have changed our minds since they told us they wouldn't keep the grass down as their intake has to be restricted :o( I'm so terribly sad about the decision but our heads are ruling our hearts over this matter. (reaches for kleenex)
I foster mine from the sanctuary Kate. How much land do you need them to graze? Our four easily keep a two and a half acre field in check. You do have to limit them when the grass is growing so I strip graze them by moving electric fencing around. We have another similar sized field which has a ragwort problem at the moment so they are not on it. But when we have got that sorted, they will have access to that in the winter. @hh
@jantan I think our field is about 3-4 acres. We only wanted to keep two donkeys. They explained about strip grazing; it meant that the grass in that field would still need to be mowed, which would be a nuisance :0(
such a beautiful looking place and he's so gorgeous
I thought that horses and donkeys didn't eat ragwort if they had the choice - it's only when they get given it in hay or when they are starving they have a problem? Just because ragwort is the only host plant for something like 50 insects including cinnabar moth caterpillars, which are all suffering from the removal of ragwort on sites - including our local nature reserve where horses aren't supposed to go anyway.
@hh Yes, I suppose that would be a lot for 2 donkeys to keep in check. Have you thought about keeping some sheep on the part the donks aren't on - either yours or offer grazing to a local farmer - they are usually keen. Sheep are great as they graze so neatly, and they are particularly good with donks because they break the 'worm cycle.'
I know, I know, I am going on a bit...... It's just I know what rewarding animals they are to keep. The best really. And I have gathered from your posts how you love your animals. If you can feel as affectionate as you obviously do towards your sheep, then donks would completely steal your heart. To me they are the nearest thing to dogs really in the way that they crave and give affection.
What a lovely shot. The donkey making his way home to a place that looks very inviting. I really like the layers here too, and that lonesome tree on the horizon.
@jantan You're tempting me Jan :o) I'm going to await the perfect moment to revisit the subject with Lord Carling! The way you describe the donkeys (being so like dogs) makes my heart all a flutter! Do you groom your donks everyday?
@hh Hi Kate, I am so sorry, I don't remember getting a notification of your comment. I don't groom the donks every day, tho I did when I first got them. I do do their feet every day tho. It only takes a few minutes.
They usually get a bit of a spruce up before we go out for a walk, and on occasions like Palm Sunday, which is a week on Sunday, when one of them has got a 'gig' at the local church. Please feel free to ask me any questions, I can give you the honest answer, rather than the Donkey Sanctuary's official line! I think that the Sanctuary does (quite rightly) try to give the impression that it is all much more of an onerous task than it actually is so that they put off people who aren't willing to commit. And if you are ever passing through Oxfordshire/Warwickshire and want to drop in and see them you would be more than welcome.
March 31st, 2014
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We were approved by The Donkey Sanctuary to foster donkeys but we have changed our minds since they told us they wouldn't keep the grass down as their intake has to be restricted :o( I'm so terribly sad about the decision but our heads are ruling our hearts over this matter. (reaches for kleenex)
I thought that horses and donkeys didn't eat ragwort if they had the choice - it's only when they get given it in hay or when they are starving they have a problem? Just because ragwort is the only host plant for something like 50 insects including cinnabar moth caterpillars, which are all suffering from the removal of ragwort on sites - including our local nature reserve where horses aren't supposed to go anyway.
I know, I know, I am going on a bit...... It's just I know what rewarding animals they are to keep. The best really. And I have gathered from your posts how you love your animals. If you can feel as affectionate as you obviously do towards your sheep, then donks would completely steal your heart. To me they are the nearest thing to dogs really in the way that they crave and give affection.
There, I'll shut up now!
They usually get a bit of a spruce up before we go out for a walk, and on occasions like Palm Sunday, which is a week on Sunday, when one of them has got a 'gig' at the local church. Please feel free to ask me any questions, I can give you the honest answer, rather than the Donkey Sanctuary's official line! I think that the Sanctuary does (quite rightly) try to give the impression that it is all much more of an onerous task than it actually is so that they put off people who aren't willing to commit. And if you are ever passing through Oxfordshire/Warwickshire and want to drop in and see them you would be more than welcome.