Thinking of keeping donkeys? - Adam Henson's Farm Diaries - Ep23
Welcome back to Adam Henson's Farm Diaries.
In episode 23 of his farm diaries Adam introduces you to his herd of donkeys, young and old, and shares some tips and knowledge on what it's like to care for and own a donkey.
Adam also takes Sugar, our youngest donkey foal on the farm, out for a stretch of the legs and to show you how to lead rein a donkey.
This isn't an A-Z complete guide to caring for donkeys, but if you're a beginner and thinking of keeping donkeys, hopefully this video will do that little bit more to help you decide.
Over the course of this series, Adam Henson will be inviting you to learn all about Cotswold Farm Park and our wider farm. Subscribe and click the bell to be notified when our next episode is uploaded!
Meet Adam, who is perhaps the best-known farmer in the UK, presenting his own section on BBC’s Countryfile to millions of viewers each Sunday evening.
Adam will be here regularly to share stories and help educate you on British farming, the Cotswold countryside and the importance of our ongoing conservation work.
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I came here mostly for the donkeys, but the nice gentleman really surprised me. What a loving and calming presence.
Very relaxing to listen to. You can see the love he has for his animals. 😊
My uncle uses them as guard animals on his farm. He's got a few mixed in with the small herd of cattle he has and they "protect" the babies from the coyotes and occasional bobcat. The donkeys won't run from the either and will stand their ground and fight... basicaly making any attempt at getting a meal not worth it to whatever they're fighting off. Their kicking instinct makes them a perfect adversary to coyotes.
Fascinating! Thank you.
Yup, they're great guard animals. Other countries have been using them for guarding flocks. Pretty cool how protective they are.
What an awesome result. I love them all.
We've always used them as companion and guard animals. They can definitely get very territorial when they think there's a threat to their flock/herd
Their biting instinct, going for the neck, is pretty effective too.
Baby donkeys are severely underrated. They're top tier cute!! Giving kittens a run for their throne!!
Ha ha Thems fightin words.
yeah but............ they really mess up the furniture when they want to snuggle in front of the tv with you
😁
What about baby koalas?
ahaha agree about baby donkeys being cute but kittens are honestly mostly ugly
It’s 7:15pm and I’m writing you from the northwest of America. I stumbled across this video and I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed it. I enjoyed the animals I enjoyed the interesting facts of donkeys that I knew nothing about and I truly enjoyed listening to you my mother was born and raised in Watford,England as well as my grandparents and they moved to the states . My mother passed away a few weeks ago ……she was my closest friend and I was so comforted listening to you talk using words that I’ve heard my whole life. I have even considered moving to England. she took us there for a month on holiday and I fell in love with it , the people, the beauty. Thank you so much for such a wonderful Friday evening.
Oh my thoughts exactly !!!❤❤ And such a well done video.. Such precious Donkeys. Beautiful..
Donkeys are the best! I'm a long-time equestrian, so of course I love my horses, but donkeys are hands down the most intelligent equines that I know. They have amazing memory and emotional capacity, more so than most horses. They never forget a face - if you mistreat a donkey, he will remember to hate you even 20 years down the line. But they are fiercely loyal and protective of the people they love, and if you earn a donkey's trust he will go to the ends of the earth for you!
Very well said, and I too am from a family of equestrians... They do the funniest things, but the best part is they have huge hearts. I feel fortunate to have "rescued" (adopted) a Donk and a Mini during a severe drough..
So so true...,,, most beautiful animals.God bless them.❤❤
I agree re donkeys, the first equine I ever rode was a donkey on Weston Supermare beach, I was six, and I was smitten. Still have his photo - "David". I would love to have a couple of donkeys. However, I find horses do have a memory for faces/people, quite long, and I also think they remember being mistreated. There is a story about a famous racing stud, Eclipse? who was in his barn when a groom who had abused him in the past came in, and Eclipse tried to climb out of his stall to get at him and presumably do him some damage. I have a gelding too who, in his new barn freaked out when he heard the voice of a past abusive trainer. I think donkeys by far have more emotional capacity, and they are so smart. It's tragic how they're mistreated when people acquire them without knowing what their needs are, including that they need more warmth and shelter than horses do. And then the crisis in Africa with donkeys being slaughtered for their skins to make some kind of ointment for the Chinese - it's so depressing.
It's easy to love a creature that loves you. I have a wild squirrel that takes nuts from me while I am sitting on my couch. My 120 pound St. Berndoodle loves when she lies on top of him while eating her nut.
I know nothing about equestrians - I do love animals in general though - your comment was beautiful….would love to care for some donkeys during my life 🩵
Never thought a video about donkeys would be so interesting, thanks for sharing! 😊
You're so welcome Jeremy!
Thank you for a lovely and informative video. Can I add for those thinking of getting donkey: be very careful about introducing your dogs (if you have any) to your donkey. They will attack attack unknown dogs which is the very reason they are run with cattle. They are much smarter than horses and have a great sense of humour. Our donkey used to love playing tricks on our horses and on us! They are also quite sensitive creatures so always treat them kindly and train them with positive reinforcement methods. Make sure your blacksmith knows how to file a donkeys hooves and doesn't file them as he would do horses' hooves. Thanks again, your donkeys have a lovely life
This was an excellent video about donkeys. Adam Henson did a superb job of capturing their unique characteristics and temperament. I have owned donkeys my entire life. They are beautiful, intelligent animals who bring great joy to everyone. Thank you, Mr. Henson.
Hi. I am new to Donkeys, I got two. They seem to be very wild, probably mistreated prior to my home. But the biggest problem is that they tried to kill my dog today or maybe at least injure her terribly. I was there to save her. They also tried to kill a goat, it was a male goat. I am not sure what to do, is there a way to train them? Or do I need them to go to a new home that doesn't have smaller animals. I'm sick to my stomach about what to do. Anything would help, ideas
@@elisabethcrawford5903your dog is very lucky. Videos on line of guard donkeys killing coyotes. Yours may have been guard donkeys, NOT pets!! Hope things worked out! 👃✌️🇨🇦
I love that you said they are easy to train. I'm from Hungary where we have a saying 'stubborn as a donkey'. I've always thought though that they're only stubborn if you don't treat them right, give them some love and positive reinforcement and they'll be happy to work for you ❤
Yes, that's the saying, but there's a reason for it. Donkeys are intelligent, far more intelligent than horses are. So, they might not obey your commands if they think it's not a good idea and they don't fully trust you and your judgement.
In North America we say stubborn as a Mule
Hungary is excellent...
They can be stubborn but that's their charm
Well said!
I loved this so much!! Little sugar was so hilarious running around in circles! How adorable!! ❤
Little Sugar is one of the sweetest little creatures I've had the pleasure of seeing recently. 😍
The donkey is another animal that is. Very close to my heart. I look forward to seeing more of these videos
I so miss my two jacks 😔. They were wonderful and I loved them very much. God bless you for this video and for loving and caring for God's creatures. 🙌🙌🙌❤❤❤
What a wonderful video, donkeys finally being valued and loved. Thank you.
Our pleasure! Thank you for watching
Sono animali umili ma adorabili e anno comunque un loro fascino 😊❤
Adopted two wild donkeys from BLM a few years back. They are so funny. Love them and they are close to the horses.
@@lindakienle531فيرثريو
@@giuseppe2237رثنيوزرا
They are so beautiful, intelligent, and ferocious when they need to be. I wish I had a land big enough for one.
I adore them. They are the sweetest little emo's of the equine world.❤
I used to work out in Ethiopia on vocational development projects and I was absolutely appalled by the way donkeys were treated there. I'm a mans man, but I don't mind admitting that I shed a tear or two witnessing some of the abuse and neglect that these great animals suffered there.
not just Ethiopia. All over the world. Horribly treated and abused in Mexico as well and when they get too old for hard labor, they skin them for their coats. No living creature deserves that kind of a life.
Real men are okay showing emotion and crying when they feel like it.
A man should feel compassion...
@@escaped1534 Men feel compassion but that doesn't mean they have to cry.... but if they want to shed a tear it's always welcome. Woman here.
Andreas, I live in southern Spain. Donkeys don't do much better here. There was a donkey sanctuary some years ago, run by English folks but the council shut them down. The entire Mediterranean is so different about animals in general.
Here's my Donkey story. My one and only (aside from seeing them occasionally at a fair/carnival). This particular day, back in 2010, I would be shadowing a veterinarian, who made farm calls, for school. I'm a city dweller so visiting any farm was quite an exciting prospect for me, as I had really no experience handling or interacting with farm animals, of any kind. Anyhow, I arrived at this veterinarians practice but he wasn't ready to go just yet, so I had about 30 mins to kill. As I waited outside, I saw that out in their pasture stood 2 beautiful brown adult donkeys. They were inside of a fenced in area. Of course, I excitedly walked over to greet them. The donkeys were just milling about, snacking on grass. I tried to get their attention, waving and gently calling for them to come over to me but much to my dismay, they didn't have the same enthusiasm in meeting me as I did them, lol. It would take some convincing to get them to come closer. I thought an offering of some sort might do the trick. So, I grabbed up a gob of grass trying to bait them. They finally did walk over to me but both of them quickly assessed that what I held in my hand, was nothing to write home about, so they just went back to their grazing, essentially ignoring me. Kneeling down, I stuck my hand through the bottom of the fence, showing them once again, the same, nothing special grass, that they were already eating, trying my darnedest to pet at least one of them but no dice. With a defeated sigh, I go to pull my hand back through the fence and as I did that, I felt the biggest jolt of buzzing pain, that seamed to run right through me. I had never felt something like that before in my entire life. I jumped up and screamed like an idiot for a brief moment. At first, I didn't know what the hell happened. Looking closer though, It became evident that I had failed to notice several live wires, all which ran around the inside of that fence. I felt like such a dope. Thankfully, no one saw me make a fool of myself that day, well, except those stubborn donkeys lol It sure was a learning experience! Thanks for reading :)
Your comment is golden. Thanks for sharing 😂
Thank you fr sharing, very good story.
Donkeys will bite. But you would have known that by then.
I was walking to a friend's barn at night in the winter with snow on the ground. I hadn't been out to their place for a few months, and didn't realize they'd moved fences. So I walked straight into an electric fence. I discovered that rubber boots on wet snow don't have much of an insulating effect. Very unpleasant experience.
I loved Sugar, reckon it must have had elastic for its meal as it was bouncing around for ages, so funny. You are sooo lucky to live were you do.
Such an attention seeker! She's fabulous, perhaps you'll come say hello one day?
Great presentation! Thank you big time, Adam! My dad had a herd of 20 donkeys along with his horses. They were the sweetest. The alpha male was Casanova. Lovely!
Oh my, they're so sweet and wonderful. And Little Sugar wasn't playing about getting her zoomies out lol. Lovely video, thanks so much for making it!
Such a joy to watch. I never knew much about donkeys, only horses! Thank you for sharing.😊
Beautiful animals. Beautiful stories beautifully said!! Thank you!
Such a cute and energetic Baby . Love your donkeys. Excellent informative video. 🐴
Watching this from Germany. Apart from the heartmelting way Adam treats these donkeys, his way of speaking is just superb. It reminds me of english-learning videos I've watched in my childhood. Just the way he pronounces "Neddy" - dunno, it makes me smile.
I used to have three donkeys. They were the sweetest, smartest and most loving farm animals I have ever had. They were also good alarms any time anybody entered our property.
Thank you for sharing this video about donkeys. I have always loved animals but never had room for a donkey. Now that I live in the country, getting a couple of donkeys might be something to look into. Blessings
Yes yes do get a couple please !!! 😊😊 I do wish you well and pray your heart and soul into these beautiful Donkeys..love them...❤❤❤❤
Such soft and heart warming animals. So much soul. Love them. They interact so well with humans.
Sugar bouncing around brought tears of joy to my eyes. Thank you for all the info & sharing your beautiful creatures with us.
Lol, I think her ears are back at You, Sir 😂 She seemed more confused than angry about you showing her teeth 😂😂😂
What beautiful animals, such a joy to see them❤❤❤
Just discovered your videos and I’m loving every single one of them ❤ never knew donkeys to be so sweet
Thank you so much! We'll be back with more very soon!
Grew up never giving much thought to donkeys, probably due to all the negative stereotypes we learn about them starting at an early age (that they’re dumb, stubborn, slow, etc). It wasn’t until I got a bit older that I absolutely fell in love with them. They’re not stubborn or dumb, they merely need some time to process situations, the same way humans do. They also, as seen here ^ need proper maintenance so they're not left with discomfort. Understandably, a donkey with aching hooves isn't going to be as receptive to instructions. Unfortunately, they’ve been used for harsh labor throughout history, and so they’ve earned this reputation for being bad creatures. If you’re thinking about adopting a donkey, I highly encourage it! Such thoughtful, special beings. Anyone's life would be richer with a donkey in it ❤
I volunteer at a donkey sanctuary, and have learned that donkeys are actually very intelligent, moreso than a horse. A rider on a horse could ride off a cliff with the horse, but a donkey will simply refuse to jump. They have very high self-preservation traits. Donkeys also need another donkey, they bond with other donkeys and can become greatly distressed if they can't find their buddy. They get lonely just by themselves. So if you're going to adopt, then adopt 2 of them! Also, don't forget that they like to kick, so it's best to avoid their rear end. Though they can kick sideways too. They're absolutely beautiful animals!
loved him using the car keys -- and that it was important to him to finish what he had started...
Hope they don't fall out of pockets
This is a Real Man for you.. You can see the true love he's got for his Animals..Especially these incredible Donkeys...I say thank God for people like him full of love and care..❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
This was a charming education. Those little ones look so cozy.
Thanks for the detailed and lovely info about Jesus and donkeys ❤
You are most welcome!
there's a book that tells the whole story bout donkeys and jerusalem. the barble
Loved every minute of this, beautiful little animals they really are.
Little Sugar... so sweet and full of energy.😄
@Hello there, how are you doing this blessed day?
Thank you for such an interesting , informative video. It was really, really lovely to watch. And my last comment goes to Little Sugar - the absolute star of the show !! : ))
You're so welcome! Ahh yes, she's a little firecracker, eh!
Very pleasant, very enjoyable, and very helpful. Thank you Cotwolds.
How lovely! You’re so lucky to have such a life!
Little Sugar is so fluffy…adorable!
Adam - I'm 65 living in the U.S. Our country is garbage right now. It's so depressing. Your wonderful videos allow me a little educational reprieve. I'd love to raise donkeys, but I live in a city lot. Perhaps one day. In the meantime, I truly enjoy all your videos. You seem like such a kind man who loves animals. Please keep sending us these lovely gifts.
If you hate our country, where would you like to go? We'll be glad to deport you.
Trump will save us and the world
There are people in this country who raise donkeys 😊
Thank you Brother very informative & interesting GOD'S creations so Awesome, thank you😊
I am over 70 and share your depression about our country. I am in a city too - consider adopting a cat or a little dog. One who needs a home and love. Also, reach out to another senior and help them. Helps me feel better. ❤️☺️
Thank you so much. I truly enjoyed all the information about one of my favourite animals, the donkey. And yeaah you are so good with and for them. They are so lucky to live out their lives at your farm.
Got shivers down my spine when you mentioned the cross, that's a wonderful nod to the Bible. Thank you.
They are such a good animal for any farm. They will protect any livestock from wolves and coyotes.
I love the way donkeys honk. They are so cute.😊
I’ve only just realised you had a KZhead channel Adam. Always enjoy watching Countryfile. I’m hooked on this channel now, so informative and educational as an animal lover. We definitely will be planning a visit to the farm. Hats off to you and your team for your amazing hard work 🚜 x
Just the sweetest and cutest animal. How I'd love to have a couple of them ,just for fun,not to breed or anything. Attach a cart and enjoy!! A very nice instructional story. Thank you!
Love to all the lovely donkeys. You lucky man. Wish I could have 2 donkeys. ❤❤❤❤❤
This man shows a lot of knowledge😊
Iv rescued a few of these little fellers . It was the most rewarding things Iv ever done. My son is into them now. What a different life than the average family ❤️❤️❤️❤️
i worked on a mule farm in boulder city nevada called happy ass acres. tho it was a mule farm, i took care of 4 horses instead. the mules were fine, but the donkeys never left me alone. they would follow me and watch almost everything i did. almost creepy how fast they were to latch onto a person, and they protected you as well. if i started to hear the cayotes in the fields they would all run straight to me to make sure i was ok. husbandry is something not everyone gets to experience, but damn is it fun.
Thank you for sharing I have always wanted some donkeys in my old padock
You're welcome, are you now even more tempted?!
Sugar have long life batteries, the youth blessing,😍🤝.
I have burros, Jerusalem donkeys, pets. A lady couldn’t keep them. So they have a forever home here. Now my neighbor has them in his pasture, he lost 5 of 8 sheep, something killing them. One disappeared, no trace-odd. We have coyotes, bobcats, feral dogs. He hasn’t lost any since using our 2. He’s now trying to find donkeys. Good protectors, easy keepers & “watch dogs”. USA Georgia
Wonderful video! So engaging, informative, and entertaining!! Thank you!! 🙏🏼
OMG, Sugar is such a little sweetie!
yo mama raised ya like donkey
The pony is beautiful ! Too bad I live in the US :( I'd love to have him ! He looks like a sweetheart.
I wasn't aware of the cross on their back. This Christmas we will have a full moon and the Christmas Star will be on full display. They are very sweet animals and make me smile. Merry Christmas everyone!
Merry Christmas
The one thing you didn’t mention is how dangerous a jack donkey can be, my dad rescues them and we always keep the jacks apart but they will almost kill themselves to get out and fight, they can also be so dangerous to other animals and people.. The foals are so beautiful 😍 we had a Jenny that had twins, we almost died, she reared them both with no trouble 😮
How beautiful! My horse has two donkeys at the farm he’s on, and they are his best friends. Donkeys are defiantly lovely. Cute, affectionate, smart, and funny! They are truly magnificent animals.
This video is so wholesome and great, thank you for making it!🙏🏻 my brother and i watched it together and we had such a fun time! never smiled this much in a while God Bless You!🙏🏻
Seem so much like dogs. Lovely creatures!
Aren't they just, thank you for watching 😊
I love donkeys, always have, and always will.
What absolutely charming creatures, and such a kind man. I was entranced by the whole thing.
I love how much you love animals! We've just rescued a donkey who had a bit of a rough time and I can't wait to shower him with as much love as you are with yours.
Watching sugar's orbiting was worth allot. Thanks
Oh my goodness i couldn't stop laughing watching little Sugar zooming around in and out of frame What boundless energy! ❤❤
Precious beautiful animals! Little Sugar running around and around...so CUTE! 🥰
I love all their names !
This video was the highlight of my day! Thank you for sharing. The are just precious.
Watching Sugar just made my day. Cutest thing I've seen today.❤❤❤❤ running circles haha so happy!!!
Delightful! They are lucky to have all the love and great care your provide. Precious video!
What a blessed life this gentleman has! Nothing is quite as fulfilling as caring for beautiful creatures such as these. It can tell he absolutely loves it too! Awesome video, Thank you Sir!
Love this chap! And he loves what he does! Grand show, pleasure and relaxing to watch. Good for the soul.
Loved seeing the donkeys and learning more about them. I especially liked the story of the cross, and I totally believe that is why they have the cross. Thank you, you have a lovely farm.
Just found you - delightful video! That sweet, precious, Sugar!!! lololol
Such a lovely report, informative and charming.
Thank you! One of the loveliest and most interesting teaching sessions I’ve ever attended. 😊
How interesting to hear about donkeys and how to assess them and what it takes to own them. it's like a lecture, just free. thanks a lot
I think it's absolutely wonderful the way you talk about them. I've never heard the cross on the back, but it makes sense as well backed my faith with another big truth!😊
Mr Adam you are a great teacher
Beautiful video - thank you so much.
they have the sweetest faces, and cutest babies, and funniest cries. I adore them.
Thank you for this wonderful Video. I love Donkeys!!
Didnt meet a donkey or know anyone, I was 25. Work on a farm an this donkey and I made this bond, so rare bond. And the day I was going away, she knew. And she gave me a hug (head over my shoulder. First time ever) Thought weird and so beautiful that a animal would do that So councius .
Such a kind fellow and nice clip. I’m in Mississippi🙂
Thanks so much for this entertaining and informative video. My caregiver has expressed interest in owning a Donkey so I'm forwarding this video to her. If anyone ever suggests that no one appreciates just being alive let them look at little Sugar! She can't stop her excitement about being born into this grand world. Run little Sugar Run! 🕊️💕
Extremely valuable insight in regards to the lede rope.
Oh thank you so much for all the information you provided. I don’t think I will ever have a donkey or two but I will be your subscriber for as ever long as you post videos. I truly love the donkeys. Thank you again.
That was fun to watch and learn. Thank you.
Hi again, Adam ~~ watched this one twice, in time for the holidays and remembering my dad's herd of twenty donkeys. They are good pack animals and many countries still use them to move loads between villages and go about their daily lives.
That was a really lovely video to watch and very informative. Thank you.😊
Thank you sir ,for this lovely and very informative video .God bless you and your farm!
Thank you, I enjoyed everything you said❤ about those sweet and beautiful Donkeys.❤❤
Wonderful tour of your lovely donkeys, always loved them since I was a girl. They have the most soulful eyes ;)
Stopping by! Thanks sir!
My grand parents had a donkey on their farm. My grand father used it as transportation and I thought that it was fascinating. Now I can see that donkeys make wonderful pets and can be very loving. Thank you for your explanation about their habits, etc. very interesting. 🥰
I love most animals... Cats are my favourite... but for some reason I find donkeys fascinating... just love them.. Thanks for this...wish I had more of a farm... I live in a city...
Sugar was so cute running around!