Hello! I’m Archie the Donkey!

“Hello! I’m Archie the Donkey! I am a three year old Jerusalem Donkey. Hackett Hill Farm became my new home in November of 2020 when I came to live with my new family the Young’s. I like to eat carrots and apples, but sweet feed is my favorite. Other animals annoy me a lot, but dogs are my least favorite animals of all. Everyone says I am a little grumpy, but I just like a nice quiet life on my North Hill of Hackett Hill Farm. Thanks for stopping by to read the story of how I came to this hill.”

All About the Animals

As I was feeding one night I got the idea to start a series on the blog that chronicles all of the wonderful little critters we have and will have on the farm. Today I am starting with our very first critter, Archie the donkey! With so many new faces being added to the farm, I want to make sure I introduce them to all of you! We have already brought home some really awesome little fellas. You have likely seen photos and videos of these guys if you follow us on Instagram and Facebook. If you don’t follow us yet, you should! Also if you want to read more about our farm, you may like this post as well.

We need a Donkey!

Archie was the first animal that we added to Hackett Hill Farm. I knew as soon as we bought the land that I wanted, nah, needed a donkey! My husband would never go for a horse, but a donkey is dead useful with cattle. I knew it would be an easy sell. Donkeys are not fans of canines, so any coyote that steps foot on our land will see a quick exit with Archie hot on his tail. What better way to protect our future cattle investments?!

Originally, I wanted to get a standard Jenny, as their temperaments tend to be friendlier and less aggressive than a jack. However, we came across Archie at the perfect time and for the perfect price, free!

Meet Archie

When we met Archie he was all alone in a field. His owner had relocated and was unable to take him with her. She would check on him and make sure he was taken care of, but Archie needed a new home. However, Archie was a little stubborn and hated trailers. Multiple people had tried to load him to no avail. I wasn’t worried though, I knew he was meant to be with us on Hackett Hill.

Daddy brought the trailer over on Sunday and we were set to load a donkey! My husband tried to level set expectations, telling me it was unlikely Archie would come home with us that Sunday. I was not hearing it. I knew Archie was supposed to be ours.

We got there early and I went straight into his pasture to get familiar with him. He was so sweet. Archie loved being petted and was so good with the kids, especially Grayson. Then we tried to halter him, and it was not happening. As soon as he saw the halter he trotted off, and when the trailer came all bets were off. As discouraging as his reaction was, I just knew we had to bring this boy home with us.

The Strategy

My husband and daddy spotted an old dog kennel and got the bright idea that we would corral him and back the trailer up to create a chute of sorts. We brought the kennel in and he followed Grayson right into the little makeshift corral! Who would have thought?! We backed the trailer up to it and opened the gate. Again, he was not having it. We pulled and tugged and begged and pleaded. This donkey was not moving.

It looked like I was in for a week of waiting for him to become used to the trailer. We left him in the corral with the trailer backed up to it so he could become familiar with the promise that we would be back that evening with treats. I was so disappointed. Momma and daddy left, with the plan to come back the following weekend if he got on the trailer.

I spent the rest of the afternoon so disappointed. We went and got some feed in the hopes that we would be able to lure him out in the coming days. And returned home to work at the farm house and clean out the barn.

That evening we headed back to see Archie again. My husband reminding me not to be disappointed. that he would eventually warm up to the trailer, but it wasn’t likely to be today. When we get to the field, I head to the trailer and notice that there has definitely been some little hooves checking it out. Archie seemed so happy to see us back and it was less than two minutes of me standing in the trailer that he comes right on up into the trailer with me! I was so shocked I had no idea what to do.

Archie Comes Home!

It didn’t take long after that to get our guy boarded up in the trailer and heading to his lifelong home on Hackett Hill.

Archie has been with us since November 22, 2020. He is a three year old jack with a bit of an attitude if you don’t bring him enough carrots or give him grain when he thinks he needs it, which is pretty much all the time. Archie is not a fan of our neighbors horses and spends a good portion of his day yelling at them. He reminds me a bit of Jeff Dunham’s Walter, a grumpy old man, but we love him.

It took him a few days to get used to his new environment and we are still working on some of his behavioral issues that have surfaced since his move. Donkeys are prone to mood swings if too much changes too quickly, but overall Archie seems to be enjoying his new home. We bought him a ball to play with and calves to socialize with across the fence. He doesn’t like them enough yet to share his field.

Archie is quite the character, he definitely brings us joy when we hear him let out a holler across the field. He is home where he was meant to be. We hope you stick around to meet more of our critters! I would love to hear from fellow donkey owners/fans. Leave us a comment!

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