Should I?
Recently I realized that I have only been reacting to life, and not setting some personal goals. I am very poor, however, could acquire in a few years some capital to invest into a proper home of my choosing. I am not really looking forward to the long years of work ahead of me, I will admit.
This is where the donkey comes in.
I have heard that these creatures lived almost human lifespans, and still being quite young, thought about acquiring such beast.
Does anyone have experience working with such animals? I only have experienced going on a trek with a couple of them, and they seemed to be a very personality distinct specie.
Would it be lonely without me? I am planning upon getting it when I manage to escape the city and acquire a river accessible abandoned property somewhere. It would max be left alone 3 days as a shopping trip or when gone fishing.
To me, they are amazing beings. Their faces are so expressive, and make hilarious sounds. They eat almost anything that nature provides around them. They bound to other animals and protect them all while still having a good time. I plan on making a foyer for it when it’s raining, so it can chill by the fire.
Also do they actually perform farm labor, last one told me that it was a human myth.
I grew up on farm & we had two donkeys, Honeybun & Buttercup. Buttercup was older & eventually passed away, leaving Honeybun solo amongst the chickens, cows & horses.
Honeybun became ornery as all get out, just mean as hell. He’d started to bite anything close enough to be bitten. These weren’t little nips for attention; he’d draw blood given chance.
It got bad enough my grandfather carried a potato soaked in hot sauce to deter the donkey from biting. Grandpa would try to shove the potato into the donkey’s mouth when Honeybun went in to bite.
I know some donkeys get along well with horses. Honeybun did not. He bit those horses, went after chickens that wandered into his area, & likely would’ve done the same to cows if we’d let him.
I don’t have any specific advice for you, but I do believe donkeys get lonely & need some measure of companionship.
Did the donkeys get along with the chickens before their mood soured? I can’t tell if this is a copy pasta also they have very fun names
It is now!
excellent!
It’s not copy pasta, all of this took place in the late 80’s - early 90s, in my preteen years.
I think the donkeys left the chickens alone when they were together, but I could be wrong about that. I know foxes were a bigger concern for the chickens, and I remember the foxes were eventually chased off by coyotes.
The horses were my uncle’s, named Silver & Chestnut. He also had a pig, named Alex.
Here’s a few shots of the farm, I took a couple of years ago.
That is one gorgeous looking estate, feels so full of potential even during the harsher seasons.
Thank you for sharing this cute story. RIP Buttercup and I hope Honeybun eventually found peace.
Donkeys often pair bond so when buttercup died I’m guessing it caused Honeybun to develop those behavioural issues out of grief sadly.