Geneticsĭonkeys inherit their parents’ genes and perhaps the behavioural characteristics that go with these genes. Donkeys are not aware of our perceptions of good or bad behaviour, they only understand what is effective for them, and so if they learn that a problematic behaviour can be effective in getting what they want then they will repeat it. Pain, environmental changes, hormonal conditions, dietary deficiencies, hearing/sight loss, skin conditions, mares in season, food intolerances, and more can all cause problematic behaviour, and so an assessment by the vet should always be your first solution if you notice a change in your donkey’s behaviour.ĭonkeys can also learn unwanted behavioural traits and so you should always be aware of what behaviour you are rewarding and what signals you’re giving during the interactions between you and your donkey. Behaviour problemsĭonkeys can develop a number of behaviour problems for various reasons, but a medical condition should always be forefront in your mind. If you are keen to find out more about donkey behaviour, our fact sheet on understanding donkey behaviour may help you to learn more about these complex animals. The better you get to know your donkey and what is usual for them, the easier it will be to spot these subtle changes. A lack of movement away from a fearful object can easily be misread as confidence rather than the donkeys reduced flight response. A slight widening of the eyes might be misread as an increased curiosity, when it could actually mean fear or stress. Stoic and hard-to-readĪ donkeys’ body language is often less expressive than horses, and so a change in their behaviour may be subtle and hard-to-read. An experienced trainer who communicates well with the donkey will help a donkey to overcome problems and learn more rapidly than a donkey with an impatient or inexperienced handler. How donkeys are trained and handled will determine their behaviour. These can include: Being driven or ridden, holding their feet up for the farrier, travelling in a trailer. Activities that are unnatural to donkeys can take longer to learn because they are so far removed from their natural behaviour. Donkeys easily learn things that are closest to their natural behaviours.During learning a donkey doesn’t consider their behaviour to be good or bad, only whether it is effective for them.Every time you interact with your donkey they will learn something.If a foal has been socialised with other donkeys and allowed to develop correctly through the phases of juvenile development, then the donkey is less likely to develop behavioural problems as a mature animal. Love to learnįor a donkey, learning begins from the moment they’re born and continues throughout their life. Never take risks with your donkeys and other animals, always insure that introductions between animals are supervised and take place over several weeks. However, not all donkeys display this behaviour and can live happily alongside these companions. Unfortunately, this territorial nature results in donkeys sometimes chasing and attacking small stock such as sheep, goats, poultry, cats and dogs. A donkeys’ territorial instinct is so strong that in many countries they are used to guard herds of sheep and goats against dogs, foxes, coyotes and wolves. Territorialĭomesticated donkeys may exhibit more territorial behaviour than horses. Donkeys can develop very strong bonds with their companions and separating bonded pairs can create enough stress to result in the serious condition of hyperlipaemia, which can be fatal. The Donkey Sanctuary will never place a donkey where there are no other donkeys present. Due to their territorial nature, introduction to livestock must be supervised and take place over safe fencing. Bondingĭonkeys naturally enjoy the company of their own kind and when other donkeys are not present they may bond with horses, mules or other small stock. Of course, each donkey has a different personality and you will get to know your donkey as you spend more time with one another.
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