If you had the opportunity to begin a business that involved a product that was in demand, easy to maintain, satisfied multiple needs and was profitable, would you be interested? What if you loved the product so much that many times you had to be talked OUT of selling your product by those who wanted it? What if your product gave more to you and your purchasers in love, laughter, and quality family time than either of you ever had before, would you want to know more? Then welcome to the wonderful world of raising miniature donkeys. Years ago when my husband Pete and I began breeding miniature donkeys, we knew it would be a business that had the makings of being allot of fun, but little did we know that it would also turn into a love affair with one of the most outstanding of God's creatures. Not only do we enjoy the financial rewards of raising an animal that is in limited supply and maintains a stable market, but we cannot imagine ourselves ever without a miniature donkey in our lives whether or not there is money to be made.

The miniature donkey is one of the most gentle and affectionate of all equines. It is intelligent with an IQ only slightly lower than its owner! It is this intelligence that has been misunderstood and caused it to be labeled as "stubborn" when, in fact, the donkey is exercising common sense and caution. One of the reasons donkeys make such wonderful production animals is that their ability to assess and react properly to danger and harm interprets in fewer veterinarian expenses or costly loss due to injury or death. They are also very forgiving in the mistakes we sometimes make in their care which makes them "easy keepers". Miniature donkeys are a breed of their own and are NOT bred down as other miniatures which can cause the inherent genetics of an animal to become diluted. They are quite healthy and hardy, so much so that they have been used and are still being used as pack animals in their native Sicily and Sardinia in the Mediterranean islands.

The miniature donkey found its way to the US in the 1920s, having been discovered by wealthy families vacationing in the Mediterranean and observing the very docile and friendly nature of the animal. They were brought to their country estates and began to be bred. The donkeys became popular over the years causing a registry to be established in 1958 by Danby Farms, one of the original importers. There are fewer than 19,000 animals registered which is remarkably low considering that the registry has been in existence for 40 years. In addition to their intelligence, miniature donkeys are tame, gentle, and easily managed. I work the donkeys without help which is something that cannot be said of larger, more aggressive animals. They love people and seek out human companionship which only adds to their appeal. The males are called jacks and the females are jennies. Height should not exceed 36" at the shoulders. Most weigh between 250 and 350 pounds at maturity which is approximately 3 years of age. Jennies can begin breeding between 2 and 3 years old depending on her size, condition, and development. Their gestation period is 11.5 to 13 months insuring a prospective breeder a more stable market due to limited numbers. Twins are rare in miniature donkeys. The predominant color is gray-dun, but they can be found in black, brown, spotted, and sorrel. The distinguishing mark on these donkeys is the dark stripe down the back and across the shoulders which forms a cross on the donkey's back. This is an inherited feature from the wild ass ancestors of the domestic donkey. Donkeys are also known as "burro" and "ass".

SO WHAT DO YOU DO WITH THEM?
That is the most difficult question we are ever asked because it is what they do for us that we value most. But to the potential investor, it is a vital question in identifying your market. The miniature donkey is an animal that appeals to people for a diversity of reasons thereby satisfying a demand from many directions. Miniature donkeys are purchased primarily for breeding, driving, packing, showing, petting zoos, animal therapy, and pets.

THE BREEDING MARKET
The miniature donkey industry is healthy and does not see dramatic fluctuations in market conditions primarily due to the nature of the animal and its many uses. It will be difficult to saturate the market with an oversupply of miniature donkeys as has been the case in other breeds primarily because it takes approximately ONE year to make ONE donkey. Given that fact, there should not be a "flood" on the market in the very near future. Another appeal to potential breeders is the small amount of space required to raise a miniature donkey. Several miniatures can be maintained on less than an acre and pasture is not a requirement, in fact, many breeders prefer to dry lot their animals meaning that the donkey is housed in an area void of any pasture. In this manner, the breeder can better monitor the donkey's nutritional requirements. Miniatures need a three sided shed or similar protection from winter winds and summer sun. Fencing can be very simple. Since home is security to a donkey, they don't try to "leave the state" as other animals will do, therefore, fencing can be as simple as metal t-posts and 4' field fence. Barbed wire is not recommended. Donkeys require a good quality grass hay such as a coastal hay and/or pasture.

Alfalfa hay is too rich. We feed 10% protein sweet feed to adults and< 14% to foals and lactating jennies. Historically, donkeys are used to sparse food supplies and little vegetation as in their native Mediterranean areas. They should not be overfed because they are already efficient utilizers of their food supply. Fresh water and minerals should be made available to them at all times. We worm the donkeys every 2 months with a simple oral paste wormer. Everything needed to care for miniature donkeys can be found at your local coop or feed store. Hooves need periodic trimming by a farrier and yearly vaccinations are required just like the family dog or cat. Foals are easily weaned between 4 and 6 months old. The average life span of the donkey is 30 years although it is not unusual to hear stories of donkeys living to be 45 years old or older. With proper health care, both jacks and jennies can remain fertile into their 20s although reproduction may be more sporadic at that time. The cost of feeding, worming, vaccinating, and hoof care is less than $250 without pasture.

Considering the fact that registered weanling jennies cost $2000 to $4000 and registered weanling jacks cost $500 to $2000, the yearly cost of maintaining a miniature donkey is minimal. Mature animals are sold for $2500 to $12,000. Of course, the price is determined by such things as conformation, pedigree, size, temperament and color. As with most things of value, quality demands a higher price. Such is the case with miniature donkeys, therefore, I suggest that anyone considering purchasing miniature donkeys for breeding make sure that the direction of their breeding program aims toward producing quality animals. Some miniature donkey breeders have compromised quality for numbers in order to get immediate returns and have had difficulty in marketing their animals and competing with other breeders whose emphasis was directed more toward improving the breed. Care and management of miniature donkeys are more an act of love for these wonderful little critters rather than a chore to be dreaded. I have willingly and gladly donned rain and cold attire during serious weather conditions to simply check on their safety. I know of no other farm animal that would solicit such intense concern.

SHOWING
Another reason miniature donkeys are in demand is for the show ring. It is a venue not limited only to the breeder who desires to showcase the quality of his breeding program, but also for children and adults who prefer to show an animal that is easily handled, easily trained, and a real companion. In addition, there is growing interest in miniatures as 4-H and FFA projects for county and state fairs. Although participating in shows is not a requirement for selling miniature donkeys, for the breeder, showing your animal is a fantastic way of getting your name in front of allot of folks and promoting miniature donkeys to the general public at the same time. We only recently started showing our jack, Quarter Moon Barney. Even before that time, we were able to sell every donkey and weanling we had to sell and still do. Barney is a champion jack and wins either 1st or 2nd in most of his shows, but we show him for the joy it brings us and the people we meet. Showing permits us to have experiences just like we had recently where a deaf child in sign language asked his mother to ask Pete if he could ride Barney. Barney was waiting for his class to be announced and was already groomed, sprayed, and his hooves were blacked. Pete picked the boy up, knowing he was going to have to start all over grooming Barney, put him on Barney's back and trotted Barney up and down the aisles with the little boy screaming with joy. His parents said that was the most excited they had ever seen him. The little boy cried when he couldn't take Barney home. Barney didn't win first place that day, but he and Pete won first place in the eyes of one little deaf boy who had never seen a miniature donkey before and one wife who knows that her husband really knows how to "show" a donkey. Many non-breeders are opting to show miniature donkeys because of their size and personality and the popularity is growing. Showing is fun and is a good marketing tool.

DRIVING-PACKING-RIDING
Many buyers visiting our ranch use their miniatures to pull a cart, carry a moderate load while backpacking, or let their small children ride. Our jack Barney can easily pull a cart carrying two adults. What fun it is on a crisp fall afternoon to harness Barney and take a slow drive over the ranch. Donkeys, in my mind, are far superior to any other animal for driving primarily because they are intelligent and cautious. They will not be pushed into danger or take unnecessary risks or run away to the next ranch if frightened. Those characteristics help ease an adult's mind when permitting children to be around miniature donkeys. Both children and adults can feel safety in driving or riding an animal who is going to take care of itself. Miniature donkeys are purchased by parents and grandparents who wish to have a farm animal for the children and themselves, but don't want or should not handle a larger animal due to risk of injury or other health related reasons. Some of the people who have purchased miniatures from us have told about taking family picnics on the ranch and packed their lunch on the back of their favorite miniature and experienced a wonderful day of family time which was shared with an animal whose greatest pleasure is just being near you. Why do we raise miniature donkeys? There's one of the best reasons!

PETTING ZOOS
Although I carefully monitor the quality of the petting zoo that buys my donkeys, this is another market that the public is almost demanding be included in any petting zoo. It doesn't go unnoticed to those who own and operate responsible petting zoos that the first animal to approach the visitor to the zoo, be it child or adult, is the miniature donkey. We recently sold two weanling jennies to a wonderful couple who operate a corporate retreat which includes a petting zoo. We were pleased when they told us that Sophie and Elsie are by far the most popular animal of the petting zoo. They said it was not uncommon to find adults sitting on the grass playing with the miniature donkeys and no other animal. These animals never tire of attention. That quality alone permits me to feel comfortable that there will always be a demand for miniature donkeys. Once you've met one, you must own one or rather, they will own you.

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
Miniature donkeys go far beyond what is usually thought of as the "pet market". The following is a list of some of the activities which have involved miniature donkeys.

• Parades Farm Tours TV Appearances
  
• Festivals Day Care Centers Church Events
  
• 10 K Runs Nativity Scenes Horse Fairs
  
• Cart Rides Birthday Parties Driving Demonstrations
  
• Shopping Centers Political Events Mental Retardation Centers
  
• Trail Rides Pet Shows Summer Youth Camps
  

One of our more adventuresome jennies named Muffin became the hit of our last Christmas Cantata. She accompanied "Mary" and "Joseph" down the center aisle of our church toward a bunch of costumed and screaming choir members. She took her place next to the live pigeons and doves who had never seen ears that big on any animal. Muffie had no concern over them because she knew she was the "star", and she was. In fact, after the cantata, she found an agent and began taking bookings for next year's Christmas gig at the Methodist church! Miniature donkeys are being studied for work with deaf, blind, and autistic children. Their patience and personality causes there to be no end to their versatility.

PETS
Then of course, there are those who visit our ranch who simply want to drink coffee and grow old with the most precious animal in the world. Miniature donkeys bring families closer and teach us that family activities done together are more fun than TV or Nintendo. Pete and I continually laugh as we observe their comic ways. They never outgrow their desire to play and have fun. Many times I have buckled under the stress of the day only to find myself drawn to a bench under a tree with a bunch of little donkeys around me working very hard to make me feel better. Miniature donkeys open a door to a magical and joyful world that we would never have entered without them, and it is that quality which will ALWAYS keep them in demand.