Chicken Tractor Dome –> Donkey Dome

I read online the other day that donkeys don’t like getting wet, because their fur doesn’t repel water like a horse’s does.

So, I decided to convert the chicken tractor dome prototype into a new donkey shelter dome.  Simple enough.  First, I screwed two big auger anchors into the ground on opposite sides of the dome and bolted the dome to the anchors, so the dome can’t be moved by anything less than a Cat-5 hurricane.

Then, I removed a few struts to create a donkey door.

Lastly, I covered about 60-70% of the dome with a high-end (heavy duty) tarp, and used rubber straps and tarred twine to lash it down, so it won’t flap around (which apparently drives the donks nuts).

I watched the girls from afar for an hour or so, and they showed interest in the dome, but wouldn’t go inside.  So, Hooey and I posted in the dome with a bag of peanuts and handful of carrots … and voila … instant donkey-in-a-dome.  Got sort of crowded in there as the chicken flock opted to join us.

I also decided to hang a few donkey toys from an existing ridge line strung between two pasture trees, but Hooey destroyed the first toy in about 3 minutes flat … so I gave up.