The Cost of a Donkey
Last Updated on June 21, 2021 | Written by CPA Alec Pow
First Published on June 21, 2021 | Content Reviewed by 
CFA Alexander Popivker
The humble donkey has always been an animal of mystery. It’s part of the Equidae family, which includes horses and zebras; however, donkeys are a lot different than their high-strung cousins. Donkeys have evolved over time to become stockier in stature with floppy ears. They are also known as burros.
How much does a donkey cost?
You will usually spend as little as $100 to adopt a more mature donkey, while a younger one, which is considered high-quality and properly trained, can cost you $3,000 or even more.
A number of factors will determine the price of a donkey such as the breeder or the bloodline. Sex, color, and also play major roles in determining their worth.
If you want a miniature donkey, they can cost anywhere from $1,200 to $2,000. Jacks and geldings around six months old on the other hand are about $300-$600. Registration is an additional fee to consider.
Some owners of horses want to have a family and are willing to pay for it. For example, if you were looking at purchasing an 8-month old donkey with its mother bundled in a package deal, you will pay anywhere from $1,200 to $2,000.
You might also like our articles about the cost of poneys, Akhal Teke horses, or the price to build a barn.
A female donkey can cost anywhere from $700 to $1,900 if it’s around the age of 6 months, while an 8-month old can go for around $1,500 to $2,000. Mature jennies are worth between $900 and $1,400.
Older donkeys can be sold for as little as $500, and retired jennies are usually only about $200. Keep in mind that these hard-working animals have probably reached the end of their life span; they won’t do much in terms of labor. LittleFriendsRanch has several available on sale now with prices ranging anywhere from $300 to $2,000+.
What should be included in the adoption fee?
Depending on the breeder you buy from, donkeys usually come with health records indicating past deworming schedules and the date of vaccinations. Some are even microchipped for easier identification if they’re lost.
Some breeders may offer support before and after the sale to answer any questions you have. They will also provide guidance on how best to care for your new pet, as well as help with training if needed.
Any additional expenses to consider?
If you want to bring your donkey home with all the necessary documents, it’ll be an added charge. Some breeders may request $100 or more for registration, which’s usually not included in the cost of purchase.
A donkey is a great animal to have if you are looking for something that will not be used to do a lot of activities. If you want your donkey trained, however, it may be more expensive and time-consuming than you might expect.
Donkeys are docile creatures, and they only need minimal care. Their expenses can be as low as $500-$800 a year depending on how much you want to invest in them for food, shelter, medicine supplements, or water. LongHopes breaks down these costs by monthly/annual averages which show that the average donkey should cost around $895 per year with hay, dewormer paste, and mineral supplement tabs included in this price.
Donkeys are great escape artists and often get out of their enclosures unless a strong fencing system is in place.
Experts recommend buying two donkeys at the same time so they can keep each other company.
Important things to remember
Owning a donkey can be difficult without the proper knowledge. They are stubborn animals that require patience and understanding to manage them properly. If you do not want your hard-earned money going down the drain, it is best to hire someone who knows what they’re doing, to take care of it for you.
A donkey’s feet are very porous which means they need to stay off the wet grass. They also require at least an acre of space for roaming around, so you should make sure you have enough space before committing to buying this type of pet.
A burro is a Spanish word for “donkey”, which means that they are basically the same thing.
Is there any way to spend less?
If you plan to get a donkey just to have as a pet, keep in mind that the older jacks with no papers are usually much more affordable.
Breeders also often offer discounts for buyers that purchase multiple donkeys at once.
Most animal breeders will have classified ads online that can be searched through to find the average price of this type of pet in your area. Be sure to browse online first, before committing to a buy.
If you’re looking for a more affordable pet, consider adopting an older donkey. In many cases, rescue groups and adoption centers offer these animals at low prices as they are often too old or in poor health to be sold on the open market.
- How Much Does It Cost To Top Off Fluids? - November 26, 2023
- How Much Does it Cost to Replace a Wheel Bearing? - November 25, 2023
- How Much Does it Cost to Become a CPR Instructor? - November 24, 2023
Leave a Reply
Want to join the discussion?Feel free to contribute!