Donkeys are fun to have around and make excellent companions. Not only can they keep alpacas company, but they can also guard sheep and entertain ponies and children! Having descended from the desert-dwelling wild ass, the donkey is generally healthy, low maintenance, and resilient against many diseases and illnesses. Why does my donkey look […]
10 Most Dangerous Health Issues for Donkeys Read More »
Yesterday, I gave my pig a few plums that got overripe before I had the chance to eat them. It was only an hour or two later that I started to worry. What if he choked on one of the pits? I quickly ran outside to check on him and was relieved to find him
Good Vegetables for Pigs: What Do Pigs Eat? (Potbellied, Mini, Hogs, All) Read More »
With a sizzlingly hot summer on the cards, we’re all going to be looking for effective ways to cool down. Unlike humans, pigs have very few sweat glands, and those it does have aren’t particularly effective for temperature control. Are pigs prone to heat stress? Pigs are more likely to develop heat stress because
Pig Sunburns, Heatstroke, Heat Stress: Pig Summer Heat Care Read More »
If you want to raise sheep for meat, it can be difficult to figure out what breed to raise. Sheep breeds that grow larger and have a higher meat quality and taste are called meat sheep breeds. Sheep meat breeds usually grow faster and produce less milk than milk breeds. Choosing the best sheep breed
The Best Tasting Sheep Breeds: Meat Sheep Varieties Read More »
Today’s domesticated goats are related to animals that once roamed the Iranian Plateau and Zagros mountains, which explains why they have such an aptitude and enthusiasm for climbing. Goats are at home in rugged areas where balancing and climbing are their main activities. Toys that encourage them to utilize these skills will provide mental stimulation
25 Best Goat Toys to Keep Goats Happy and Entertained Read More »
Every spring, my goats start scratching. This itchiness is normal and associated with them shedding their winter coats. When they started scratching in the autumn as well, I started to wonder if something else was wrong. I couldn’t see any mites or other external parasites, but they were clearly losing hair and their skin appeared
Goat Dandruff: How to Treat Flaky Skin in Goats Read More »
Donkeys and horses share many similarities, but their nutritional requirements and digestion systems are very distinct. Donkeys and horses evolved in very different environments. When horses were already grazing the lush Great Plains of North America, the Wild African Ass was nibbling on shrubs and succulents in the arid African desert. Donkeys have evolved to
Best Forage Food for Donkeys: Grass Hay or Straw? Read More »
All horse owners want the best for their equine companions. Unfortunately, many modern management regimes are so far removed from a horse’s natural behavior that they cause more harm than good. Obesity is increasingly common as stabled horses fail to get enough exercise and consume feeds that contain more starch and sugar than they
Understanding Horse Insulin Resistance and Diabetes Symptoms Read More »
Donkeys are stoic animals with an insensitive cough reflex. They are rarely trained or worked as intensively as horses. As a result of these factors, a donkey may suffer from a respiratory condition for months without its owner noticing. Respiratory illnesses, therefore, often go unnoticed until they reach a more severe or chronic state. When
Donkey Coughing: When to Worry, Causes, Steps to Take Read More »
Measuring the height of a horse is not an easy prospect, even with valuable tools like measuring sticks and tapes. Horses don’t always stand still. Finding a flat surface for them to stand on is also challenging. It’s little wonder, then, that people have been measuring horses in hands for thousands of years. Why are horses
How to Measure a Horse’s Height in Hands and What it Means Read More »
