Donkeys

We finally got our first large animals - two guard donkeys who will be looking after our small flock of sheep (if the shepherd ever gets around to bringing them over)  Donkeys apparently have a pathological loathing for dogs and as the largest predator of sheep are usually hunting dogs or wild dogs, some protection is needed.

We completed the shelter, hay manger and water trough for a total outlay of zero euros (very satisfying) although the electric fencing cost quite a bit but it is a good investment.

The donkeys were delivered last week and have settled in well -they are very cute.  The kids have named them Sammy (female 20 yrs) and Lucy (female 8 yrs) after two of their friends from Chamonix.  They weigh about 150kg each but are quite small and therefore manageable - especially as we are equine novices. They are eating almost exclusively grass with the supplement of a little hay and the odd carrot.  They allowed us to pick out their hooves this morning (after a little coaxing) and they love to be groomed and cuddled.  No shin-kicks yet but it's early days!

Donkeys are very intelligent animals and they have become quite popular in France as working pets or just to keep the grass down.  We hope later on to get the kids riding them and perhaps use them for a little light labour in the fields or woods.

We opted for donkeys over a Patou (Pyreneen mountain dog) because to have a Patou as a sheep dog, it needs to be semi wild, never stroked or cuddled and live in with the sheep therefore we were concerned that wasn't compatible with two inquisitive children.