| Updated 12-07-08 |
Before we allow a life to come into the world, we consider many things for the welfare of the jennet and the little foal.
Conscientious breeders should always have the jennet and foal's future and welfare in mind before breeding. Here
is the process we have adopted over time:
We truly believe that responsible miniature donkey breeders who plan their breedings with the welfare of the donkey
in mind build solid reputations, create satisfied customers, serve as role models for future breeders, and most
importantly, contribute to the integrity of the Miniature Donkey Breed. A breeder's love for the Mediterranean
Miniature Donkey breed will quite naturally assist with the list above.
Conscientious breeders should always have the jennet and foal's future and welfare in mind before breeding. Here
is the process we have adopted over time:
- Identify positive traits by observing the jennet's conformation and personality.
- Evaluate and research the jennet's and jack's pedigrees to select the positive traits from each and avoid
possible inbreeding.
- Select the sire that will best improve upon the jennet's traits (using the guidelines outlined in NMDA's
Miniature Mediterranean Donkey Breed Standard. Choose a jack to enhance and complement the
selected jennet's qualities. Click here to see Breed Standards Index of NMDA.
- Breed no jennet under 31", avoiding trends relating to small size and complications or death during
delivery. (The National Miniature Donkey Association Breed Standard states "under 30 inches").
- Breed for conformation, avoiding trends/fads relating to color. Color is the icing on the cake but should
not be the sole and primary breeding objective.
- Observe the jennet's health and breed only healthy animals.
- Breed only after the age of three. Many jennets may not be good mothers if bred too young. They are
"teenagers" until three years of age.
- Breed only if there is likely placement for the foal. Consider the economy.
- Sell only if there is placement in a good home with another donkey.
- Geld jack foals, unless they are of superior quality and selected to be a herd sire.
We truly believe that responsible miniature donkey breeders who plan their breedings with the welfare of the donkey
in mind build solid reputations, create satisfied customers, serve as role models for future breeders, and most
importantly, contribute to the integrity of the Miniature Donkey Breed. A breeder's love for the Mediterranean
Miniature Donkey breed will quite naturally assist with the list above.
| Planned Breeding Gets Improved Results! |
| White Lightning Anniversary We were very blessed to witness his amazing birth, 45 minutes from start to stand! Born: June 11, 2005 Birth Height: 20" Color: Snow white Sire: Lawzyday's Farm's Sancho Panza, 32" Dam: SS Queenie, 33" (proven producer of white foals) Pedigree: The Fireman, Cochese, Black Hawk, Blackberry, Valentino 49 Congratulations to his proud owners, The Van Vleck Family, Jacksonville, FL |
| It is our pleasure to provide this site for your enjoyment and education. We hope you enjoy our site. If you do, please tell someone else about us. If you would like to see something about miniature donkeys added, please click here. We will do our best. All site copy and photos are the exclusive property of Best Friends Farm and may not be reproduced in any form without written permission. Any violation of this copyright is pursuable to the full extent of the law. |
| Lesson Two Breeding Plan for Best Friends Farm M i n i a t u r e Donkeys We follow the NMDA recommendations listed below. |
| BEST FRIENDS FARM M I N I A T U R E DONKEYS Farming for the fun of it! Jim and Frankie Lee 13903 Millhopper Road, Gainesville, FL 32653 352-339-3908 or 352-333-3819 |
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