A Survey of Smallholder Farms Regarding Demographics, Health Care, and Management Factors of Donkeys in Northeastern China

Abstract

Essential information on the population dynamics and the health and welfare of Chinese donkeys is scarce. The objectives of this study were to describe the demographic characteristics, management and health care of a sample of donkeys under smallholder farm conditions of northeastern China. A cross-sectional survey of 731 randomly selected donkey owners on smallholder farms (1,658 donkeys) in 40 villages of northeastern China was conducted. Data on the composition and management of the donkeys and their routine health care were analyzed. The surveyed donkey population consisted of mostly (83.8%) jenny/filly donkeys with a mean age of 6.2 ± 5.0 years. Most (91.2%) of the farms kept 1–4 donkeys. The majority of donkeys were used for breeding and labor. Most (93.8%) of the farms did not have bedding, and their mean stable size was 17.7 ± 10.1 m2. All of the animals were turned out for at least part of the year. The mean size of the turnout areas on the farms was 17.8 m2. The condition of 12.5% of the donkeys was evaluated as “poor” with a body condition score of 1 on a scale of 5. More than one third (37.9%) of the donkeys had never been dewormed. Also, none of them were ever vaccinated or received dental care from a veterinarian. Their hoofs were trimmed once (45.9%) or twice (27.6%) a year. Forty percent of the donkeys were reported to suffer from at least one medical problem in the preceding year. The most common medical problems were colic, respiratory disorders and skin conditions. Owners seemed to underestimate some of the most prevalent diseases in donkeys, suggesting that their knowledge of the management of donkeys, including routine healthcare practices should be improved to ensure the health and welfare of donkeys in northeastern China.

Participatory appraisal for healthcare and welfare management strategies of donkeys (Equus ascinus) in Balochistan, Pakistan

“…In the rural and urban settings donkeys are usually raised for economical purposes and a proficient parasitic control program is not readily available (27). The average age of the donkey owners was 37.19 ± 11.32 years, which was around 20 years higher than those of the owners of donkey herds in China (28). The relative young age of the owners indicates a further possible increase in the population of donkeys in Pakistan in the near future.…”

A survey report on the donkey original breeding farms in China: Current aspects and future prospective

“…In the previous study, a cross-sectional survey was conducted by Deng et al ( 16 ) in 40 villages for smallholder farms regarding demographics, health care, and management factors of donkeys in Northeastern China. However, essential information on donkey population dynamics of the original breeding farms is scarce.…”

“…In contrast, the donkey industry is in the burgeoning phase in China ( 4 ). Over 70% of donkeys are raised under extensive conditions on smallholder farms ( 16 ). However, during the past 10 years, the donkey industry has undergone substantial changes.…”

Evaluation of breeding practices and morphological characterization of donkeys in Blouberg Local Municipality, Limpopo province: Implication for the design of community-based breeding programme

“…In this survey, no young farmers owned donkeys; most farmers were in their retirement years (above sixty years). A donkey is an animal that is the most efficient agricultural power unit [ 29 ] and are kept for a variety of reasons, including milk, meat, production labour and recreation [ 2 ]. The current study also investigated the purpose of keeping donkeys in all the three villages.…”

“…Donkeys have excellent draft power abilities, disease resistance, stress tolerance and can survive better under drought conditions than any other livestock species, due to their body structure and low dry matter intake requirements, which minimizes their water and maintenance needs in arid and semi-arid areas, due to their ability to survive on poor quality minimally supplemented feeds [ 1 , 2 ]. Donkeys continue to play a significant role in power-required activities in both rural and urban areas of developing countries, where donkeys are commonly employed for transportation of goods and movement of individuals from one location to another at extremely low prices [ 3 , 4 ].…”