I recently saw an ad for outside jack stud service for $50.00. I smiled to myself as I thought of all the possible considerations involved in this undertaking. My first experience taking my jennet to an outside jack was less than ideal. I brought my maiden jennet (not in heat) to a local breeder to be bred. She was immediately put in with the jack, who ran her until until she submitted, exhausted, sweating and bruised. When I became alarmed at the possibility she may be hurt, I was told this is how breeding is done. I now know there are many other safe ways to accomplish the same task less stressfully for the animal and the owner.
Based on my own experiences and my conversations with other breeders it’s clear there are many considerations when providing outside breeding services. The following checklists may help to avoid disappointments and misunderstandings by addressing many of the questions necessary to have a successful breeding expereince.
Remember the offspring are a reflection of your breeding jack, with that in mind you should consider the overall quality of the outside jennet and make sure she has no obvious disqualifying characteristics (see NMDA Breed Standard)
Age – NMDA recommended breeding age 3 years and older
Registered – all breeding animals should be registered
Pedigree – to avoid possible relationship to jennet and to verify "miniature" background
Size – maximum 36", minimum 30" as recommended by NMDA
Vaccinations – exact dates (current on Rhino, EWT-F, Rabies, etc.)
Worming – recent dates
Coggins within 6–12 months
Good health and condition (jennet should be neither too thin or too fat)
Halter & lead trained (very important for hand breeding)
Will jennet have a foal at her side? Can you accomodate this possibility?
Overall quality of jack; show record; size; conformation
Pedigree – to avoid possible relationship to jack and to verify "miniature" background
Does the jack compliment the jennet? Will he improve on the jennet's faults?
References or recommendations from other breeders
Temperament of the jack—is he aggressive?
Is the jack an experienced breeder (i.e. proven?)
Are his offspring available for viewing?
Stud fee
Possible additional fees: board, farrier, care, worming, vet call, pregnancy tests, etc.
Fee if animal stays beyond agreed upon date
Hand breeding
Modified hand breeding (breeed once or twice by hand, than pasture with the jack)
Pasture breeding
Disposition of the jack when breeding—is he abusive to the jennet?
If jennet has a foal by her side and she will be pasture bred, will the foal be safe with the breeding jack?
Are the facilities clean?
Availability of water – if the breeder uses automatic waterers and your jennet is not accustomed to them, will the breeder supply another source?
Fencing – what if the breeder uses electric fencing and your jennet and foal are not used to that type of fencing?
Paddocks and pastures – are they safe (barbed wire, etc.)?
Are the breeder’s donkeys healthy and well cared for?
Does the contract include a Live Birth Guarantee? (24 or 48 hours after birth? If the foal stands and nurses?)
If the jennet aborts, reabsorbs, or has a stillborn, what form of compensation will the breeder offer? (Possibilities: return fee, rebreed only – within one year)
Will jennet stay at the breeder’s farm at the owner’s risk? Should the owner obtain insurance on their jennet?
What will be the course of action for illness, injury, or possible death of the visiting jennet (or her foal)? Discuss possibilities.
Agree when owner will pick up jennet – 30 or 60 days after breeding?
Is the breeding contract transferable if the jennet is sold?
Will you isolate the outside jennet from the rest of your herd?
Do you have separate stalls, paddocks, and pastures?
Will the jennet stay on your farm until pregnancy is confirmed? You will want to check with local veterinarian for availability of accurate pregnancy tests and their costs.
Will the visiting jennet require special care or feeding?
Whether you are the owner of the jack and providing the breeding service or the owner of the jennet, these considerations deserve your careful attention to protect you both as well as your donkeys. Outside breeding is a business—you are providing a service and you should take the responsibility of caring for someone else's valued pet seriously.
Copyright 2002. All rights reserved by Flight of Fancy Miniature Donkeys