The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Smallholding => Techniques and skills => Topic started by: laurelrus on July 20, 2014, 04:40:39 pm

Title: What type of fencing for donkeys?
Post by: laurelrus on July 20, 2014, 04:40:39 pm

We are planning on having a few donkeys and are not sure what type of fencing they need. We have put up stock fencing recently for pygmy goats, which went well on the whole although on the first day they kept getting their heads stuck in the holes in the mesh, so we then had to put rabbit mesh around the whole paddock. Would have been good to know that's what we needed in the first place!
So for donkeys, do we need post and rail fencing? Do we need two rails? Any advice on making the fencing right first time would be much appreciated!
Thanks

Title: Re: What type of fencing for donkeys?
Post by: ladyK on July 20, 2014, 05:21:36 pm

We already had regular stock fencing here when our donkeys arrived, and it's been working fine for them.
No experience with post and rail fences, but I' don't think a single rail would be enough to keep them within the boundaries of your property, but it might work as a subdivision?
Mine are on track grazing over the summer, and they have been very respectful of a single strand of electric fence (so my sheep can slip underneath), but their shelter has a slip rail gate, and if I only shut the top rail they'll get out under that in no time (not that I ever shut them in, the gate rails are there just in case of illness etc.)