How do you know if a donkey is pregnant? - farm animals (2023)

Did you raise your jenny or did you just acquire a jenny through a gift,buy or redeem? In any of these situations, you have good reason to wonder if your new donkey is pregnant. Alternatively, you can also have a nice, uncomplicated Jenny in your pasture who has a day off or has a visit from a cat or a stallion.

Either way, you may soon notice unexplained weight gain and behavioral differences that have you wondering if your donkey is pregnant. Read on to learn more about itHow can you tell if a donkey is pregnant?.

How can you tell if a donkey is pregnant?

first signs

If you know when your Jenny is going into heat, you'll find that she doesn't; This can be a very subtle sign, however, as female donkeys only come into heat seasonally and owners are often unaware.

Of course, when your donkey is pregnant, you may notice weight gain in the midsection. This could mean that your donkey is eating more grass and hay and has put on some weight.

If you notice that the weight gain is very small around the belly and nowhere else, you have good reason to suspect that you are pregnant.

Weight gain in a pregnant donkey can be somewhat uneven. If you notice more weight gain on one side than the other, it likely means a baby is on board.

late characters

About three weeks before the expected birth, you will notice that your Jenny's udder is swollen. This means that you start milk production in anticipation of the new arrival.

A few days before the baby is born, you may notice milk leaking from the udder.

As the time of delivery approaches, the donkey's pelvic muscles will begin to relax and you may feel some mobility in the bone around the base of the tail.

In preparation for the birth, your Jenny will naturally want to find a quiet, private place. It can become more docile and lose its appetite.

Within a few hours of giving birth, Jenny's labia begin to swell.

How long is a donkey pregnant?

All of these symptoms appear gradually over a fairly long period of time.A typical donkey pregnancy lasts between 11 and 14 months.

If you notice any of these symptoms, it's a good idea to see your vet right away and ask them to give you a definite diagnosis.

Prenatal care is just as important for donkeys as it is for humans.

What to expect when the happy event arrives

If your donkey is healthy and happy, you might miss the whole show. A strong and healthy Jenny will usually give birth fairly quickly.

If you notice thick, waxy milk dripping from your donkey's teats, you can be pretty confident that your new donkey will arrive within a day or two.

Bring your jenny into a clean, dry barn with plenty of clean straw for bedding. Although he may have lost his appetite, make sure you have plenty of fresh hay and fresh water available.

Otherwise there shouldn't be much to do. Just check back regularly to make sure everything is going well.

Let nature take its course

Your Jenny will likely lie down to deliver her baby, but when she gets up it's a good idea to be nearby to catch the baby so it doesn't fall to the ground. Yesshe trusts you, she will have no problem with you doing this.

The jenny will probably immediately clean the baby's face and nose so that it can breathe freely. If this is not the case, you should wipe the area with a soft, clean, damp cloth.

How long will the birth last?

Total from the bursting of the amniotic sac to the birth of the donkeyno longer than an hourIf your jenny seems to be having trouble and/or is taking too long, call your veterinarian.

Should you cut the umbilical cord?

If your jenny is strong and healthy, and so is the baby, the cord should break on its own if you both move. This may take a little while, but you must be patient.

Do not cut or disturb the wire. If the baby is born and crosses the placenta without breaking the cord, call your veterinarian to take care of the situation.

What happens after the baby donkey is born?

Usually the jenny will clean and dry the baby right away. You should stay away from it as it is an important part of the bonding process between mother and baby.

Once clean and on his feet, baby will start looking for his first meal. When the baby starts breastfeeding, the jenny will likely deliver the placenta. If this doesn't happen within an hour of the baby being born, you should call your veterinarian.

What can you do to help?

If the mother allows you to handle the baby, look closely at her to make sure her eyes are open, bright, and clear. Look inside the baby's mouth to make sure the gums have changed from a deep pink to a normal bright pink.

Once the baby is clean and walking, it should be breathing normally and hungry. A Jenny who has had a few other foals will encourage the baby to breastfeed.

If this is your Jenny's first baby, you might not know what to do. You may need to help the baby feed him for the first time.

It is very important that the newborn donkey drinks a few liters of first milk (colostrum) within its first twelve hours. This first milk provides the baby with important antibodies that protect it from diseases.

Colostrum is only produced within the first twelve hours after the Jenny is born, so it is important that the foal is well fed during this time.

Plan wisely!

Donkey babies are awfully cute, and you might be tempted to raise your Jenny about having a cute little one just for the fun of it. Of course, before you make that monumental decision, you can rest assured that the donkey will have a guaranteed future, and there is someone who will.take care of her.

There are many beautiful donkeys that need good homes available through various qualified adoption agencies. If you really don't need a newborn donkey, it's always better to adopt one.

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