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Where can I find a donkey or mule for sale ?

The first place you should look would be in the Breeders List.  Here you will find a list of the American Council of Spotted Asses members who specialize in breeding Spotted Asses and/or Mules.   This list is organized by state so you can look in the states nearest you.

If you can't find a breeder in your region, you can take a look at our Classifed Ad page to see what is available.  This list is periodically updated, and the information comes to me from all sources and locations.  These donkeys aren't necessarily spotted, although they could be.  Listing a donkey for sale is open to the general public free of charge.

If you till can't find what you are looking for, fill out a "Donkey Wanted" form and I will post your Wanted Ad on our website.

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What is the difference between a Mule and a Hinny?

    A mule is also known as a half ass.  

  Mule

Cross between a Jack (male donkey) and a Mare (female horse)

  Hinny

Cross between a Stallion (male horse) and a Jenny (female donkey)

Both the Mule and Hinny are sterile (unable to reproduce)

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How do I register a donkey or mule?

To qualify for registration with the American Council of Spotted Asses, your Ass or Half-Ass must have ...

1. At least two spots behind the throatlatch and above the legs. 
2. Submit photographs showing the donkey or mule you wish to register.  It is best to submit at least 2 photos, one of each side.
3. You can fill out the registration application form   or you can write to ACOSA for blank registration applications or simply send in the  photographs of your animal along with the animal's name, date of birth, sire & dam (if known), sex, height if over 3 years of age, your name & address along with a check or money order ( U.S. funds only) to American Council of Spotted Asses,  914 Riske Lane Wentzville, MO 63385 .

Registration fees are $10 per animal for members, or $20 for non-members (this will also pay for 1 year's membership)

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How much does it cost to feed a donkey?

You can feed 5 donkeys for the same cost of feeding 1 horse

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What is the difference between a donkey and a mule?

Donkey

Member of the equine family.  Also known as burro, ass, jackass.  Here are some general terms and information about the different type of donkeys.

• Jennet or Jenny: - Female donkey
• Jack: Male donkey
• Gelding: Castrated Male donkey
• Foal: baby donkey
• Miniature: 36" and under
• Standard: over 36" up to 48"
• Large Standard: 48" up to 54"/56"
• Mammoth Jennets: 54" and over
• Mammoth Jacks: 56" and over

Mule - 

            Member of the equine family.  Also known as a half ass.  

Mule

Cross between a Jack (male donkey) and a Mare (female horse)

Hinny

Cross between a Stallion (male horse) and a Jenny (female donkey)

Both the Mule and Hinny are sterile (unable to reproduce)

• Molly: Female Mule or Hinny
• Jack or Colt: Male Mule or HInny

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How long can a donkey live?

The general life-span of a donkey is 30 years or more.

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How long does it take for a donkey to have a baby?

The gestation period for donkeys average 12-14 months.  Donkeys usually produce singe births, however the birth of twins have been recorded. The only know 'registered' Spotted Ass twins belong to John Conter, on of the founders of The American Council of Spotted Asses.

A female donkey can usually be bred at 3-4 years old.  Jacks can start breeding at 1¹/₂ years to 2 years old.

Weaning age for foals is 4-6 months.

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Can I leave a pregnant Jenny with the rest of the herd?

It is probably a good idea to keep the newborn isolated for a few days until it is stable and can move around with ease. Make sure it is getting plenty of milk form the mother. Once the newborn has been able to get used to it's new surrounding you can go ahead an introduce him/her to the others.
Make sure that the jack is not in the same pasture as the newborn. Jacks have a tendency to be aggressive to newborns, especially if the newborn is also a jack.
My dad raised donkey for over 30 years. He did not have a typical barn/pasture setting. All of his donkeys were raised on the open range. In that 30 years he never saw a baby donkey born. The mother would separate herself from the herd and just go off by herself to have the baby. She would be gone for about a week, then reappear with her newborn. It was amazing that in all those 30 years he never saw one born.
Since the mother felt she needed to be alone with her newborn, that is why I suggest you separate her from the others when she has the baby.

Here is a suggestion from Doug Brown of the Diamond B Ranch, Omaha, Texas  903-884-2067

We have been raising donkeys for a number of years & have came to the conclusion that no two are alike when it comes to their babies.  We have what we call a maternity ward that we bring the jennys into  that are close to foaling.  Some times we get surprised and one foals in the pasture with other jennys & a jack. The jenny will get as far away from the herd & hide out until she feels safe to bring it to the group. She will then be very aggressive to keep the others from getting too close for a few days.  We have had two jennys that were just a day apart in foaling that created a problem.  When the first one foaled the other one claimed her baby before the mother got up.  when she did get up the battle was on. With great difficulty (at night) we got a rope on the aggressor & got her away so the mama could take care of her baby. I would suggest separating the expecting mama about two weeks before birth if possible. All our jennys are gentle & halter broke which makes it much easier at foaling time.  We keep them in the maternity ward 9 or 10 days so we can imprint the babies. Raising donkeys has been lots of fun for us. 

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What is the difference between a Large Standard and a Mammoth donkey?

Donkey come in different sizes and are classed according to their height  Here is a breakdown of the different sizes of donkeys:

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What is a baby donkey is called?  Are they called colts, foals?

Typically a baby donkey is called a foal, for both male and female.  A foal is usually under 1 year old.
The word colt is used to describe a young male horse. Young male donkeys can either be referred to as a 'baby jack' or a male foal.  A young female donkey can be referred to as a 'baby jenny (or jennet)' or a female foal.

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Copyright © 1997  [American Council of Spotted Asses ]. All rights reserved.
Revised: April 16, 2007 .