Lesson Learned

Back last November, I learned a very important lesson ...... Don't piss off a donkey ! 

Well, my old ram, E-Ram, is just now learning the same lesson. While feeding the flock their hay cube treats, E-Ram got it into his head for some reason that Dink wasn't going to be allowed to get her share of the cubes. He repeatedly maneuvered to block her way to the trough. I didn't think much of it, figuring that E-Ram would soon tire of the game, start munching on the cubes, then Dink could easily move in, as usual. Well.....not this time around. 

The whole time I was occupied cleaning up manure and filling the water buckets, E-Ram and Dink danced around the feed trough. Must have been going on for close to ten minutes. Suddenly E-Ram attacked, ramming Dink in the belly and lining up for another charge, which was not to be. Dink had enough of these shenanigans, returning with her own charge. Luckily she meant no physical harm, dishing out just a mental intimidation lashing. She drove E-Ram all over the pasture, eventually putting him up against the fence and in the weak cover of a few ferns. She then proceeded to stand guard, not allowing him to leave his spot for close to an hour. 

That was one pissed of donkey! She'd rather punish that ram than go eat hay cubes. She'd slowly wonder off, heading in the direction of the hay cubes, and E-Ram would attempt to sneak away. Back would come Dink, in full threatening charge. She wasn't happy until she had E-Ram right back in the same spot along the fence. You talk about a good herding animal! Dink was as good as any Border Collie I've ever seen! 

When I was done my chores and not wishing things to escalate, I opened one of the gates allowing everybody access to one of the other pasture paddocks. It instantly took everybody's mind off the drama. ........ Lesson learned. 

ps- Three days later, all is well. No more confrontation. But E-Ram is showing Dink a lot more respect. 

The Donkeys Have Arrived!

The farm got a great Christmas present.......Dink and Donk have arrived. It's been in the works for weeks to bring the donkeys here, but those two critters had different ideas. Neither would get into the livestock trailer. Rather than strong-arming them, thus ruining their trailering prospects for life, their owner opted to let the donkeys work things out. So the local rancher let them borrow a small transport trailer and park it in their pasture. Over the course of several weeks, the donkeys checked out the ins and outs of the trailer. One finally climbed in, but the second took a bit longer to trust the metal monster. Once they were both loading, a few more days were spent showing them that it was ok to close the doors. 

I want to thank their owner for being so patient. When a person does something mean or scary to a donkey, they remember it for life. It can take an incredible time to win their trust again, if ever. So I'm so happy to have two smart, well behaved donkeys who are now not frightened to be trailered. Thank you! 

(Dink....very curious about the cellphone.)

Both Dink and Donk arrived calm and curious. Rather than immediately giving them access to the entire farm, I put them in our inner secure pasture. Though I doubted that they would try to break out and run off, I didn't want to chance it. I spent time with them as they checked things out. 

(Donk)

Once both were calm (they never did act nervous. I was impressed.) I let the sheep into the adjacent pasture. They came running up expecting a snack of alfalfa. Whoa! Put on da brakes! What the heck are those things! Oh, I wish I had video'd it. The sheep were in absolute awe. The ewes looked from a distance, but the ram came right up to the fence and literally eyed the donkeys up and down.

 I can't describe how funny it was, the ram swinging his head this way and that, eyes totally glued on the donkeys. Any time the donkeys moved, the ewes stamped a foot in unison. It was like some choreographed dance. Pretty funny. Eventually everybody got bored and proceeded to ignore one another. But it was grand to witness those first 10 minutes. 

 

 

Donkeys!

What are donkeys good for? Pets, of course!!! If we'd like to share our farm with donkeys, do I need any other reason? Naw. Pets are totally fine. 

Today I stopped by to see two donkeys that need to be rehomed. Although I've never met these two before, I've often talked with their owner over the years, hoping I suppose that there might be some baby donkeys in the works. No luck. But I've always been fond of the idea of sharing my life with donkeys. I've had ponies in the past and thoroughly loved them. Kept them to the day they died of old age. But never donkeys. While I understand that donkeys are not ponies, I still would like having donkeys. So ...... meet Dink and Donk.........

I was so pleased to see how friendly these two are. One thing I know about donkeys is that they don't forget mistreatment. These two very obviously have never been mistreated. They are mild, friendly, docile for donkeys. They seemed comfortable around me, as I was with them. 

So if all goes well, Dink and Donk will be moving to my homestead. They can help eat the grass and make the place look "homesteady".... is there such a word? I won't ask any work from them, but if they happen to team up with the sheep, then they can be pasture guards. Donkeys intensely dislike dogs, so Dink and Donk can help protect the flock from stray dogs. Fine by me.