The nice thing about these is that the holes are small enough that Ramsey cannot get a foot caught in one and they can be left on the ground like pillows, making for a more natural grazing experience.
The only trouble with them is that they must smell just a little bit like D's donkeys and Emma is not sure she wants anything to do with them. I think that donkeys (like dogs again) are very sensitive to different smells. Whenever I am around strange horses or any other animals and then return to my own, I have to let Emma check me out and talk to her. This was especially true when Ramsey was very little. If I smelled wrong, she would move Ramsey away from me until I had passed the smell test.
Jack donkeys have a reputation for being unpredictably mean and aggressive. I wonder if they really are so unpredictable, or if it is another case of our own inability to recognize what may be a threat to a donkey. Donkeys are highly territorial and protective and jacks will fight to the death to defend their territory. If a jack's owner were to go visit a neighbors stud or new dog and then approach the jack, an animal who probably relies more on scent than sight for identification, is it any wonder that the jack may react badly? If we humans thought more about how our animals perceive things rather then assume their perceptions will be the same as ours, I believe there would be far fewer tragic accidents.
Emma is very protective of Ramsey and after getting a good whiff of the new hay bags, she moved him away from them and kept him away.
From her point of view, these nets could have come from a herd of mean jacks who might threaten her baby. She has no way of knowing that these cute little guys mean no harm...
For the last several days, I have left the nets hanging in my tack room to air out and absorb the smells of my own barn and this afternoon I hung one bag in the barn for her to get used to. I have no doubt that she will accept them, it's just a matter of letting her do it in her own way and in her own donkey time.
Several people have asked me about nets for horses and for mini donkeys. I have little personal experience with these myself, but will share what I have found so far....
Cynthia from A donkey Diary has 4 mini donkeys and uses small mesh nets for them. She highly recommends NAG bags from www.slowfeeder.com. They appear to be very good bags that are safe for minis and are well made.
The paddock paradise website offers this hay net comparison chart, which is very helpful. Some of the links seem outdated, but the info is good.
I know several people who have made their own feeders using hockey puck netting from Arizona Sports. Lisa from Laughing Orca Ranch shared this and this on her blog.
The net I am using currently came from Chicks saddlery. It works well enough, but I would not use it for the donkeys if I was not hanging it above my manger, which prevents them from getting their feet near it. It is inexpensive and rugged, but should only be used if you can be sure to keep their feet away from it.
Similarly, I purchased nets from Adams Horse supply. They were inexpensive and work well for the horses, but I would not use them for donkeys or any small aniamls. They stretch too much and hang too low when empty. They hold a lot of hay, which is good for me as I only have to fill them once a day and the horses never run out of hay. An OK choice for full sized horses who are barefoot, but do not use for donkeys or ponies...
ReplyDeleteWhat great advice! We have never used nets here, but I can see they would have helped us keep the minis and pony busy and fed.
If you run the tie strings back through the ring on the bottom before you tie them up, they dont hang so low. I am looking for another hay bag for my old mare, cant find just the right one. :o)
ReplyDeleteThese nets are ingenious! I can't wait to try something like it for the goats!
ReplyDeleteHere is a link that I found a couple of years ago on the dangers of jacks. It makes an interesting read.
ReplyDeletehttp://calkinsart.net/donkeyinfo/jacks1.html
I'm an apartment dweller with just one cat, no large animals. But your posts are so well-written and informative, that I would truly be grateful to you if I had horses or donkeys! And I find them interesting anyway.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you and your critters!
Nancy in Iowa
Great post and thanks for the nod ;)
ReplyDeleteInteresting info about the scents on the hay nets that were sent to you. I wonder if you could speed up their acceptance of them by rubbing the nets with Emma and Ramsey's blankets to get their scents on the nets. Perhaps even taking the nets out and soaking them in baking soda and washing them to get all the scent off and then scenting the nets with their favorite treats :)
~Lisa
I was thinking the same about the scent on the bags---give Emma a good rub down with a bag.
ReplyDeleteThe three little donkeys--they're wearing matching coats! Now that is just too cool!
I like your new nets! We've been using NibbleNets for years, as well as the ones from Chick's Saddlery, but my new favorites are from Cinch Chix. I have a half-bale size which holds about 40-50 lbs of hay, and their whole-bale one that holds a full 80 lb bale. The holes in those are only one inch, and the mini-donks love them. I also made a wall-mount net with hockey puck barrier netting from Arizona Sports for around $15. If you need smaller holes in that type, you can double the netting. Mine holds almost a bale, and has lasted almost two years. One thing I should caution all net-users, though, is that if the horse is eating from them up higher or above the ground, and not eating at ground level, it causes their teeth to wear unevenly and you'll find yourself calling the equine dentist every six months or so. One suggestion is to clip the net into the bottom of an unused, small water trough, or a low-sided wooden box, both with holes in the bottom to allow for any rain to run out. You can also use a heavy square wood platform with eyes on each side for carabiners to attach the nets to. We're currently updating the way we use our nets, but it's slow going in this weather!
ReplyDeleteI like your new nets! We've been using NibbleNets for years, as well as the ones from Chick's Saddlery, but my new favorites are from Cinch Chix. I have a half-bale size which holds about 40-50 lbs of hay, and their whole-bale one that holds a full 80 lb bale. The holes in those are only one inch, and the mini-donks love them. I also made a wall-mount net with hockey puck barrier netting from Arizona Sports for around $15. If you need smaller holes in that type, you can double the netting. Mine holds almost a bale, and has lasted almost two years. One thing I should caution all net-users, though, is that if the horse is eating from them up higher or above the ground, and not eating at ground level, it causes their teeth to wear unevenly and you'll find yourself calling the equine dentist every six months or so. One suggestion is to clip the net into the bottom of an unused, small water trough, or a low-sided wooden box, both with holes in the bottom to allow for any rain to run out. You can also use a heavy square wood platform with eyes on each side for carabiners to attach the nets to. We're currently updating the way we use our nets, but it's slow going in this weather!
ReplyDeleteFiona and Cinamon said they want to try one of this too. :)
ReplyDeleteI look at the web "comparison chart" but i haven't got anything clear(it's not my mother language).
Please,can you tell me where can i buy them? I guess will be the smalest size.
Thanks so much!!!!!!!!
The place I had been getting them is no longer selling the nets. I am not sure what to tell you, but your best choice would probably be to buy the netting and make your own from:
Deletehttp://www.arizonasportsequipment.com/hockey/hockey-netting/
or, buy nets from either:
www.slowfeeder.com/
www.cinchchix.com/
These are expensive, but safe for donkeys. Let me know what you try. Good luck.
Thanks so much!!
DeleteI'll think about this nets,if I can't get the bags.
But will be at Arizona's,the other places are so expensive as you said.
I'll get a look around here,may be, I can get a sport or fishing net, with small holes.