One of the realities of caring for mini-donkeys is all of the donkey poop.
The ‘Organic’ Part of Mini Donkeys
This pile represents the waste from a stall that houses our two minis. This mound is roughly four months old. It accumulates by cleaning their stall every morning all winter when snow prevents us from spreading it on the pastures, it kind of ‘composts’ away from the barn until the spring thaw.
Once the thaw takes hold, we load it into a manure spreader and spread it on the pastures where we make grass hay.
The manure consists of donkey waste, a lot of wood shavings we use for bedding, and grass hay that the donkeys don’t eat in their stall.
Donkey Poop is not ‘hot’ manure.
Donkey poop is not ‘hot’ manure like that from cows. It’s pretty dry and further dries and crumbles quickly. The manure has almost no odor, although donkey urine is a bit potent when fresh.
For a garden, donkey manure should be composted for at least several weeks before it’s tilled into a park. Donkey poop has nutrients very similar to horses’ and similar chemical composition.
Be aware that donkeys and horses aren’t very efficient processors of their food. Seeds and hard grains pass through their digestive tracts and end up in the waste. That means every weed seed the donkeys ate may well germinate in your garden if your compost did not get hot enough to destroy the seeds. Because we spread our manure on grass pastures, we don’t concern ourselves with the weeds – it’s the same grass hay they eat all year.
Keeping Clean
Here’s what we get overnight every day from two mini donkeys. It’s about half a wheelbarrow full. The clean-out is manure, wasted hay, and wood shavings used for bedding.
Compared to our horses, mini-donkeys are pretty concerned about keeping clean. They tend to poop in the same spot all the time – no matter if they’re inside or outside. They also pee in the same spots in their stall.
Cleaning their stall every morning is a matter of minutes. We scoop up the donkey poop with a stall fork like the one shown here and ‘scrape’ away the top layer of shavings to pick up the wet shavings from urine. All of our stalls have rubber mat floors. We replenish their shaving bedding using about 1/3 of a bag of fresh shavings every other day. We try to keep 4- 6″ of bedding in their stall.
Outside Duty
The tendency of donkeys to poop in the same spot outside is another issue. They’re pretty religious about their toilet – as a result, they can build a formidable pile in one spot.
We hook up a 6′ hunk of hog panel (really stiff fence) with a chain to a tractor and drag out the donkey pile when it gets too noticeable.
No big chore; it just helps keep their pasture a little cleaner. The manure breaks down quickly outdoors when the fence drag breaks it up and really helps the pasture grass grow.
What Does Donkey Poop Look Like?
Miniature donkeys may have small bodies but still leave a sizeable mess. Although their droppings look similar to regular-sized donkey poo, miniature donkey poop is smaller.
Donkey poop looks small and round, with a diameter between 0.8 and 2 cm, and resembles the pellets of rabbits and sheep. It’s dark brown or black and has no odor. The droppings are mostly made of undigested plant material such as hay, straw, and grass, slightly softened by digestive juices.
Additionally, only a tiny amount of nitrogen-rich material in the form of urine spots will be seen at one end of the pellet.
So, if you’ve ever wondered what donkey poop looks like, now you know!
From Piles to Smiles: Creative Ways to Use Mini Donkey Poop!
It’s time to get creative with mini donkey poop! Not only is it a great source of fertilizer for your garden, but there are also plenty of other ways you can use this manure. Here are just a few ideas:
- Make DIY compost for your plants. Mix the donkey poo with some kitchen scraps and grass clippings to create nutrient-rich soil.
- Use it as a pest repellent around your garden beds by sprinkling it over soil and plants; the strong smell will help keep unwanted critters away.
- Create “poop tea” by soaking the donkey pellets in water for several days, then strain the liquid off and use it to water your plants – not only is this an effective way of fertilizing them, but it’s also an eco-friendly option too!
Is Donkey Poop Used as Fertilizer?
Donkey manure is an excellent organic fertilizer for farming. It is high in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, essential nutrients for plant growth. For a garden, donkey manure should be composted for at least several weeks before it’s tilled into a garden. Donkey waste has nutrients very similar to horses and can be added directly to your garden soil as an amendment, but if you do so, you should wait a couple of weeks before planting.
Composting donkey manure with wood chips can also create an ample supply of compost that won’t burn your seeds and seedlings.
So yes, donkey poop can be used as fertilizer! It’s rich in nutrients and can help improve soil quality while promoting healthier plant growth. Just compost the droppings first or wait a few weeks before adding them directly to your garden soil.
Is Donkey Poop Used For Medical Purposes?
Donkey poop has been used for medicinal purposes since ancient times and is still popular in many parts of the world today. In Iran, healers have traditionally used female donkey dung, also known as Anbarnesa, to treat diseases such as oral ulcers, bronchitis, and vaginal infections. This practice involves collecting the waste in large quantities and burning it to produce smoke which patients then inhale. The smoke contains antibacterial and antibiotic properties, which help to treat these illnesses with minimal side effects.
The use of donkey poop for medicinal purposes is not limited to Iran; it’s popular in over 50 countries worldwide. Some people even buy donkey waste from farmers for its medicinal properties. While horse manure has many other uses, such as fertilizer and fuel, it does not serve any medicinal purpose like donkey poop.
Donkey poop has been proven to be an effective form of medicine due to its antibacterial and antibiotic properties. While this practice may seem unusual or even strange at first glance, it has been used successfully for centuries. It continues to be a viable option for treating specific illnesses with minimal side effects.
Is Donkey Poop Harmful To Humans?
Donkey poop is not generally considered dangerous for humans, but it should still be handled with care. It’s essential to take precautions when handling animal feces, including wearing gloves and washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water afterward.
Donkey poop can contain harmful bacteria, parasites, and viruses that can cause illness if ingested. Additionally, people with allergies to animal dander or dust may experience symptoms if they come into contact with donkey poop. Proper disposal is also essential to maintain hygiene and safety.
Do Donkeys Eat Their Poop?
Yep, they sure do.
But…
The practice is quite different from other animals that practice coprophagy. Donkeys are very efficient with their food, so if you’re new to donkeys, you may be surprised by how hard the poop of a donkey is.
There are several reasons why horses and donkeys eat their feces. It could be that foals eat manure to get “good bacteria” to help them digest food; it could be due to deficiencies in the diet, or it could simply be a habit they’ve picked up. Whatever the reason, it’s essential to provide your donkey with a balanced diet and access to salt and mineral blocks to ensure they’re getting all the nutrients they need.
If your donkey is eating its manure, there are steps you can take to discourage this behavior. Make sure there’s plenty of hay available for them to graze on throughout the day, and try adding some herbs or spices like garlic powder or oregano into their feed. You can also try providing toys or treats as distractions when your donkey starts eating its poop.
Does Donkey Poop Smell?
Donkey poop is often seen as a nuisance but has many benefits. Unlike other animals, donkey poop has a less offensive smell, probably due to its dry and arid texture. This makes it an ideal fertilizer for agricultural use.
Donkey poop also contains essential nutrients that can help improve soil quality and increase crop yields. It’s rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium – all essential for healthy plant growth. Additionally, these compounds are likely due to the donkeys’ diet of grasses and grains.
Overall, donkey poop is not only less smelly than other animal waste but also provides numerous benefits when used as fertilizer or in traditional medicine.
In Conclusion
In conclusion, donkey poop may seem like an unsightly problem to some, but it is actually a valuable resource that can benefit both the environment and our daily lives. From fertilizing gardens to fueling power generators, donkey poop has a wide range of practical applications.
By exploring and utilizing these different uses, we can not only make good use of a waste product but also reduce our environmental impact and promote sustainable practices. So, the next time you come across a pile of donkey poop, remember that it’s not just waste – it’s a valuable resource waiting to be put to good use.
