What factors should I take into consideration?
The following factors should be taken into account:
- The cost of maintaining two donkeys. Each donkey should have a companion, ideally another donkey
- The cost of routine health care. Donkeys require regular health checks and preventative care (such as vaccinations, hoof trimming, and dental visits)
- Availability of shelter. Donkeys should have access to shelter to protect them from the rain
- Availability of an outdoor area. Donkeys require pasture for grazing and exercise unless medically contraindicated
- The availability of an area with a solid, dry floor. The donkey’s foot does not tolerate excessively damp conditions well. Access to an area with a solid, dry floor is essential for their well-being
- The availability of equipment, such as fencing and electricity. This will affect the initial cost of preparing the environment to accommodate the donkeys
Essential equipment
The following equipment costs are approximate and may vary from supplier to supplier.
- Electric fencing energiser: €120-€350
- Plastic 90 cm fencing stakes (based on one square acre that has solid fencing around the perimeter), 40 posts if field is square: €60-€80
- Electric fencing tape (200 metre roll): €30-€65
- Internal batteries: €15-€150 each
- Stable wheelbarrow: €80
- Fork: €10-20
- Shovel: €15
- Yard broom: €10
- Poop scoop and rake: €25
- Head collar and rope: €20
- Grooming kit (dandy brush, body brush, plastic curry comb, hoof pick, tray/basket, cotton swabs, sponges, scissors): €50
- Blankets (not all donkeys need them): €50-€90 each
- Buckets (minimum of two): €20
The approximate total initial expense is €505-€975.
Costs of ongoing care per donkey per year
The costs for ongoing care are approximate and based on a healthy donkey in good body condition with access to sufficient nutritional grazing during summer and ad-lib barley straw, and adequate hay or haylage in the winter. Veterinary costs shown are only for annual checks and vaccinations.
Please be aware that any veterinary treatment for health problems can sometimes cost between hundreds and thousands of pounds. Therefore, appropriate veterinary insurance is something that donkey owners should consider.
- Vet call out and exam fee per visit: €80-€130
- Flu/Tetanus (Frequency of vaccination depends on multiple factors, including manufacturer’s instructions for the product used): €40 each
- Dental check (At least once a year, but may be more frequent): €120-€150
- Annual faecal count (2-4 times per year): €25 each
- Worming (assuming three per year based on 150 kg donkey): €60
- Farrier (average eight-weekly trim): €30-€40 each
- Insurance (third party liability only): €200-€500
- Hay if donkey off grazing in winter (one bale per week for 26 weeks): €250-€500
- Straw for feed and bedding (100 bales per donkey per year): €400-€500
The average cost of keeping a donkey could be in the region of €1230-€2020 per year.
General information
The number of times per year that your donkey needs to be wormed and which drug should be used will depend on the donkey owner’s land management system, other animals kept and results of a faecal count. Consultation with your vet is strongly recommended.
Elderly donkeys, those with dental problems, donkeys that may need extra feed or those with respiratory problems, may require different bedding and/or feed which can often be more costly.
