Hello from Alabama

Just found this forum through a link from the Bunker Index. The name itself sounds like a place I needed to check out. I raise chickens, sell coops, sell pluckers, raise rabbits, even got a couple of donkeys in case I need a ride somewhere, and cant buy gas.....
Randy

Welcome Randy! Take a look around and if you have any questions go ahead and ask, we'll try to answer them for you.

Hi Randy,
I'm glad you decided to join us. Right now it's been kind of slow around here, so hopefully we'll see it picking up soon. What part of Alabama are you from? My Dad was raised in a small town in NW Alabama and we adopted our son from Birmingham.

I have chickens and goats. We had thought about getting a donkey, but haven't made a decision yet.

Hello Randy,

We live in TN near Florence Alabama. We have a goat and chickens right now we did have pigs but when it flooded ot took out all our fencing so we are working on getting it all fixed back up.

I am glad you are here. If you need any thing feel free to ask.

We live in the metropolitan area known as Wetumpka, just north of Montgomery. Thanks for the welcome.

Hey there, Randy. Welcome!

Tell us about those donkeys? How's the upkeep? What have you trained them to do? Are they useful in any capacity at this point?

Ernie they are very easy to have around, they eat stemmy material and weeds, leaves, and briars. Just as good at clearing underbrush as a goat. They naturally dislike canines and will protect goats, cattle, chickens, etc.
They are easily trained to do whatever they want to do. They are beast of burden and can easily be broke to ride while being led. They are from Africa and can get by on very little pasture, I only feed hay during the winter, they require small amounts of protein so no grain at all. Thats the extent of my donkey knowledge. (but I figure if they were good enough for Jesus,they are good enough for me)

Hrm. Sounds like they'd be a pretty decent critter for a Texas homestead.

Are they broken into different breeds and types? How would I learn more about donkeys? How did you learn?

Donkey breed has 3 types, miniature, standard, and mammoth. If you breed them to a horse, you get a mule. Standard breeds are very reasonable to buy, $75.00-$150.00 many websites for donkeys. I have a neighbor with 2 Arabian horses, and they have the vet by at least every other week for something, stitches, colic, sickness of some kind. I have had donkeys for 8 yrs, and never had a vet out for anything. The donkies teach you everything you will need to know. Perfect for Texas heat and drought they can be used to plow, mow, and broke to wagon.

Sounds like they'd be right up your alley Ernie for your new homesteading adventure.

We had thought about getting one to use in plowing, but as I stated earlier, right now that's on hold.