Public Service announcement about intact male Jack donkeys

I'm long winded have a sweet tea and sit a spell! 

    Human error gives donkeys a bad name as guardians. People get a jack and think him by himself he is great for a guardian...until they see him slinging their goats or riding their cows trying to breed them. Then the people go on Facebook complaining don't get a donkey for a guardian animal....when it's their error not the donkeys.

 Intact jacks are only needed if you have Jennys to breed AS A RULE, occasionally some jacks are fine alone but it's best not to risk your other livestock. Same thing happens when people get bull calves then when grown they sell them complaining he is too aggressive...hormones kick in it's going to want to breed something. Hormones make them concentrate on opposite sex which can be obnoxious after a while lol

     Intact jacks are the stallions of Donkey equines,  studs, breeders like a bull to cattle you only need ONE for breeding. Like a rooster 🐓 you only need one and don't need him if no hens to make chicks. FYI You do not need a rooster to get eggs.   That's for another post!

 I've had 1000s of jacks and only 4 that bothered other livestock when with Jenny's so it's rare but can happen a jack acts up with other livestock even with Jennys. 

 I test them with horses, ponies, sheep, goats mini cattle, poultry etc. So I can place them in suitable homes. 

     Remember,  All donkeys are herd animals and herd animals do better with one from their own species. Yes they can survive with your horse as a companion but they really come to life when they see another donkey...proving they are not as happy as you think being the lone donkey. They can survive as only donkey if not bonded to other donkeys but the donkey will thrive better in pairs. 

     Occasionally I have loners who do not stick with other donkeys. So if you need one only I try to find the loner donkey who isn't phased by being the only donkey. If your donkey is moping and depressed you need another donkey. Some always look depressed but you will know by observing. 

     Don't get me wrong, I love Jack donkeys some are way sweeter than Jenny's so I don't want you to dislike them I just want you to remember they are intact and have hormones.   Most jacks  are perfectly well behaved if they are the only jack around. Some don't mind other jacks and some will fight.  Many get hormonal around age 3 yrs  and will fight or attack other MALE Donkeys even if they are raised together some fight horribly bad,  yet some get along fine just depends on the donkeys.  

   Many people get baby jacks and at 1 to 3 yr old they start displaying jack behaviors, nipping, running up on to you, pushy ways. Geld aka neuter him if you do not intend to breed!

Summary ...Just remember intact jacks are typically needed for breeding. They need to breed something if no Jenny around they have been known to try to breed heifers. Run cows thru fences bothering them. So proper donkeys work great as guardians I just do not recommend a single jack unless exceptional.  I see them for sale all the time sold as guardians. That's a big no no if no Jenny with him. 

***** Single jacks placed with goats sheep cattle are something that gives donkeys a bad name. THATS HUMAN ERROR****

   "JACK" ... intact fertile male with testicles

"Jenny" or Jennet... female donkey (no one spays female donkeys)

"John" or gelding...neutered male donkey or mule.