DONKEY PRODUCTION
- Scientific name Equuz asinus and belongs to the family of as... The domestication of
donkeys is thought to have started along Nile valley and North Africa region.
- It has been a very useful animal to man for thousands of years as a means of
transport. The present population is about 40,000. They are mostly found in mountain
region where mechanical transport is a problem.
Characteristics of the donkey.
- Has been improved through cross breeding across continents.
- Therefore there are crosses between donkeys (DxH) and horses and zebras (DxZ)
1. The dominant colour is grey to blackish
2. They have rings round the eyes
3. They have lengthy ears with a large prominent forehead.
4. The beak is long and relatively week for heavy loads.
5. Heavy grazers and makes great use of good pastures
6. Has the ability to survive harsh environmental conditions.
Importance of donkeys
1. Transport – loads
2. Riding
3. Ploughing
4. In Kenya the Turkana use the donkey for meat and in Italy the donkey meat is used to
manufacture salami sausages.
Breeding
- The reach puberty at the age of 1 year
- They may live and remain fertile for over 20 years
- The gestation period is 362-374 days.
- during the last few months of pregnancy work lot should be reduced or stopped
altogether.
- After parturition the young one (foal) should be allowed to suckle.
NB. In Africa there is lack of breeding management for donkeys but cross breading
can be done to improve on required traits.
WORKING DONKEYS
- Donkey training is not as difficult as people believe
- However it becomes stubborn and difficult to handle with excess overloading and
whipping. The donkey can be well drained by coaxing rather than beating and this
will also keep the donkey healthy.
- The young are normally harness with their mothers and it needs to be done correctly
for efficient working. Loads can be done carried by placing one on each side or
putting a cart. If it is to be placed in the donkey’s back, it should be light. If
overloaded the donkey may just refuse to move. If a cart is used to lad should be well
balanced and the wheels should have the required tyre press well oiled to reduce
friction.
Nutrition and feeding
- They are inefficient convertors of nutrients. They eat large amounts of seeds in
relation to their body size and the food also passes through the digestive track rapidly
with relatively low uptake of nutrients.
- They are unselective grazers and will also feed on small browse plants.
Disease and parasites
- Donkeys are immune to some diseases and tolerant to others.
- The donkeys are however susceptible to the following diseases.
Diseases
1. Rabies
2. Trypanosomiasis
3. Deficiency arthritis – Associated with deficiencies of minor rules and vitamin in
the diet.
4. Also susceptible to the endo parasites – internal parasites
5. Mechanical injuries due to whipping or poorly designed harness.
General management of the donkey
1. Hoof trimming
2. Grooming
3. Deworming every six months
4. Consulting a veterinary expert on medical care
5. Training – to tame the animal and avoid injuries to the attendant and the
animal itself.
6. Feeding – though they graze on their own it is important to give
supplementary feeds using grains and fodders available within the home.
