Poitou Donkey
At Ferme des Vents, come meet the Poitou donkey, a strikingly handsome animal with long, dreadlocked fur and an endearing expression. A true living treasure of French heritage, it embodies the history of animal husbandry and draft animals.
The Poitou Donkey, an ancient and prized breed
The Poitou Donkey is a breed of donkey native to the Poitou region of France. Easily recognizable by its large size, imposing build, and especially its long coat of thick, shaggy hair, it is considered one of the most prestigious donkeys in the world. Originally, this donkey was not used as a draft animal, but rather for breeding. It was typically crossed with draft mares to produce mules, which are very sturdy animals highly sought after for agricultural work.
Description
Equus asinus
Equine
350 to 450 kg
135 to 150 cm
France (Poitou-Charentes region)
Least Concern
25 to 30 years old
A hardy and endearing animal
The Poitou Donkey is a calm, docile, and intelligent animal. It adapts well to a variety of climatic conditions and plays an important role in maintaining grasslands thanks to its diet of grass and forage.
Did you know?
The Poitou Donkey is a survivor. In fact, by the 1970s, there were only about 50 left in the world. It was thanks to a conservation program that the breed narrowly escaped extinction.
Food
The Poitou donkey feeds mainly on grass, hay, and straw—a simple, low-calorie diet suited to its slow metabolism.
