Donkey Fritz
Prudent and steadfast
Anyone who has ever visited one of the Gut Aiderbichl farms will certainly remember the friendly and curious donkeys. The characteristic “donkey telephone” starts early in the morning: their call pierces the fresh morning air with a loud “I-Ah” and immediately spreads a cheerful atmosphere on our farms. Donkeys constantly communicate with each other as a group. Their calls are a sign of their pronounced social behaviour.
The clever donkey
Our grey companions find the morning sun particularly pleasant. They like to stop for a sunbath in the middle of the paths. When the tractor with the hay delivery wants to pass by, this does not mean that our donkeys are ready to interrupt their sunbathing. Nothing disturbs them. This means that our employees need to be patient. It is often said that donkeys are stubborn and stupid, but this is a big misunderstanding. In fact, donkeys are very clever animals that don’t put up with everything. Their alleged stubbornness is an expression of their caution and deliberation. A headlong flight in their natural environment, the rocky mountains, would lead to falls and certain death. Unlike horses, which are often much more timid, donkeys keep a cool head in difficult situations and do not flee immediately. This level-headed nature makes them loyal and reliable companions.
Fritz and the donkey community at Gut Aiderbichl
Around 90 donkeys currently live on the Gut Aiderbichl farms (as of May 2024). They love travelling in groups, as they are distinctly herd animals. This is why donkeys should never be kept alone. This is how Fritz, one of our donkeys, became a permanent resident at Gut Aiderbichl Deggendorf. After his best friend died recently, he was not well on his own and found a new home at Gut Aiderbichl Deggendorf and a connection to the donkey herd there.
Fritz celebrated his 30th birthday in April – a remarkable age. He is slowly beginning to show the first signs of age-related problems. Like many older donkeys, Fritz suffers from dental problems and therefore receives special feed such as hay cobs, which are easier to chew and provide him with the energy he needs. Although we cannot stop the natural ageing process, we do everything we can to promote the longevity and well-being of our donkeys. This also includes the right nutrition.
The right diet for donkeys
Donkeys originally come from desert areas and steep mountain terrain where only a few hard grasses grow. They cope very well with this, as they are extremely good feed converters, but they tend to quickly become overweight if fed incorrectly. Too much of the lush, green spring meadows – as beautiful as they may look – are not right for them. Our donkeys at Gut Aiderbichl therefore receive an adapted diet that meets their needs and prevents them from becoming overweight.
Our donkeys at Gut Aiderbichl are not only charming and lovable residents, they also show the strong character behind these wonderful animals. They teach us that prudence and steadfastness are true strength – qualities that are often underestimated in this day and age
