Here at our mini-farm, Daisy has become the leader of the livestock.

When I turned 16, I was surprised with the ownership of an animal I had fancied as a younger child: a donkey! She had just been weaned from her mother in the spring and then moved to her new home, so she was very hesitant to show her personality. As time went on, she quickly grew into a sassy, inquisitive and intelligent girl who has been protecting the goats here for more than 10 years now. With the acquisition of fowl in the last year, Daisy recently took on the responsibility of “protector of the chickens.”

Donkeys are great animals to have on a farm because they will herd and guard livestock against predators such as foxes, bobcats and coyotes. If a donkey is feeling threatened by another animal, it will fend it off by kicking, biting, or charging at it. When Daisy spots deer, she becomes very still, almost statue-like, and will watch them to make sure they are not a threat.

Daisy is very instinctive when it comes to “her boys” and will make sure she is aware of where they are at all times. When the day is winding down and the sky begins to darken, she will round up the goats from the bottom of the field and lead them back to the barn. If one of the goats is out of line, she will nudge, nip, or bray at them to show them she is in charge.

Throughout the past 10 years, Daisy has bonded with the goats here and will play along with them when they are jumping around and bucking each other. 

Fun facts!: Some of Daisy’s favorite things are bananas (with the peel), carrots, celery, apples, being photographed, Snowflake the silkie chicken, being scratched behind the ear, and being groomed.