By Marieke Snyman
For Jesse Christelis, his 146-strong donkey herd – made up of 108 mares, 6 breeding stallions and 32 fillies – are more than just livestock guardians on his farm in the Magaliesberg region, between Magaliesburg and Buffelspoort. This is where he discovered the value of donkey milk, which he now uses to make natural skincare products.
When Jesse began farming, with the dream of living self-sufficiently, he suffered major losses as jackals and stray dogs killed his sheep. That’s when he discovered that donkeys make excellent livestock guardians.
Jesse rescued two donkeys, Saartjie and Betsie, from a horse abattoir. What began as a practical response to a predator problem soon turned into a lifelong passion. He quickly came to appreciate donkeys not only for their loyalty and protective instincts, but also for their intelligence, quirky stubbornness and unique charm.
Then he discovered the value of donkey milk. Rich in antioxidants, probiotics and vitamins, it is remarkably close in composition to human breast milk, and it’s particularly beneficial for people with severe dairy allergies.
An idea started to take shape: Why not start a donkey dairy farm? Jesse realised, however, that he couldn’t just rely on milk sales, so he decided to venture into skincare products and tourism too.
Hard work for a cup of milk
Donkey farming is not for the faint of heart. Mares are milked twice a day – at 11 am and 2 pm – but each mare produces only about 250 ml of milk daily, resulting in a total yield of just 8 litres per day.
“It’s nothing like cow dairies, where you get buckets of milk,” Jesse says. “With donkeys, it’s more of a delicate dance between us and the animals. We don’t separate the foals from their mothers, so the milk yield is naturally limited.”
To put it into perspective: A high-yield dairy cow can produce up to 40 litres of milk per day. You’d need 160 donkey mares to match that output. “That’s why donkey milk is so rare and valuable,” Jesse says.
The herd roams freely around the farm, grazing on grass and hay. “Donkeys are tough animals, but they need a calm, low-stress environment to truly thrive.”
Foals are weighed weekly to monitor healthy growth, and mares receive daily health checks to ensure udder health and overall well-being.
The donkeys receive specialised care, including regular veterinary check-ups, hoof maintenance, and nutritional supplements to support their health and longevity.
“They need a high-fibre, low-sugar diet to prevent metabolic issues,” Jesse says. “We also provide mineral-rich water and occasional supplements to keep them in peak condition.”
Donkey milk, a gift from nature
Donkey milk has been valued as a natural remedy for centuries. It is rich in vitamins and minerals, and is known for its anti-inflammatory properties.
“Because donkey milk is so beneficial for people with allergies and skin conditions, we realised there was a market beyond just the milk,” Jesse says.
This insight led to the development of a natural skincare range, including hand soap and night cream – now the economic backbone of the farm.
“Selling milk alone isn’t sustainable,” Jesse says. “That’s why we’ve added tourism and the skincare range as additional income streams. It keeps the farm running and helps us care for the donkeys properly.”
The farm offers visitors everything from donkey rides and bottle-feeding sessions to educational tours that explore the vital role of donkeys in sustainable farming. Guests also learn about the complexities of donkey milk production, and have the opportunity to work hands-on with the animals. For many, the highlight is tasting the milk.
Running a sustainable donkey dairy farm takes more than just hard work – it requires a deep understanding of the animals’ needs. Donkeys are intelligent, social creatures, and their well-being is at the heart of the operation.
“Our donkeys are treated with respect,” Jesse says. “We never over-milk, and we always ensure each foal gets its share before we collect any milk. This farm isn’t just about profit – it is also about treating these animals with dignity, and finding an ethical way to share the benefits of donkey milk.”
Exotic animals
In addition to donkeys, The Donkey Dairy is home to camels, alpacas, llamas, miniature horses, miniature cattle and dwarf goats, each contributing to the farm’s operations in unique ways.
“Our dwarf goats may be small, but they produce a high yield of milk that is rich in butterfat – perfect for making cheese,” Jesse says.
The miniature cattle are the result of a 13-year breeding project aimed at creating a breed of cows suited for small farms.
Llamas also play a crucial role on the farm as livestock guardians.
A challenging niche industry
The demand for donkey milk and its products is growing, but the industry faces significant challenges. As donkey milk remains a niche product, much education is needed to raise public awareness about its benefits and uses. This limited recognition also complicates market access. “People don’t always understand why it’s more expensive than regular milk,” Jesse says.
Additionally, strict regulations govern the sale of animal products for human consumption, making it a complex industry to navigate. “We have to ensure everything is done legally and ethically. It requires a lot of planning and patience.”
Sustainable breeding and healthy offspring
The Donkey Dairy follows a responsible and ethical breeding programme to ensure that the donkey mares are not over-bred. “Our focus is on genetic diversity and breeding healthy offspring,” Jesse says. “The foals stay with their mothers for an extended period to support natural milk production.”
The farm also contributes to the conservation of rare donkey breeds, such as the nearly extinct Spanish Mammoth donkey, which stands over 14,2 hands tall (147 cm high at the withers, significantly taller than standard breeds). Another exceptionally rare breed is the blue-eyed spotted donkey – a colour mutation that has only been observed in South Africa.
“In addition to these rare breeds and variants, we prioritise breeding mares with strong milk production traits, good temperament and sound conformation,” Jesse says. “Breeding begins when the mares reach three to four years of age, as they mature around three years old. Their gestation period lasts 12 to 14 months, so they typically produce only two foals every four years.
“Donkeys are not seasonal breeders, so they can be mated year-round. To ensure a continuous supply of milk, we schedule mating to have foals born throughout the year.
“The stallions in our breeding programme come from strong milk lines and exhibit excellent conformation and temperament. We do not breed randomly to stimulate lactation; instead, we focus on specific improvement goals for both milk production and genetic quality.”
A future for donkeys
With The Donkey Dairy’s growing success and the increasing interest in donkey milk, it seems that these animals are finally receiving recognition as sophisticated, intelligent creatures that can play an important role in modern farming. “They’ve changed my life,” Jesse says. “I hope I can do the same for them.”
Enquiries: thedonkeydairy.com
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