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Donkey milk is obtained after a donkey has given birth to a foal. The milk is first intended for the foal; only a portion is additionally milked, usually by hand and in small quantities. This is about 1 to 2 liters per donkey and day. In this post, you will follow the milk's journey on the farm: from the mare and foal to milking and cooling.
It all starts with the foal
Like all mammals, a donkey only produces milk after giving birth to an offspring. After birth, the foal nurses from its mother. Only once milk production has started can a portion be additionally milked.
This is a major difference from what many people know about dairy cows. Donkeys are not bred for large quantities of milk like dairy cows. The amount that can additionally be obtained is therefore small: about 1 to 2 liters per day per donkey.
The process on the farm
- Mare and foal: The foal stays with its mother and nurses from her.
- Preparation: Before milking, the milking area and containers are cleaned. The udder is prepared according to the farm's hygiene guidelines.
- Milking: Milking is done by hand or in small quantities. This requires patience and experience in handling the animals.
- Collecting: Since the quantities from each milking session are small, it takes time to collect a larger amount.
- Cooling and freezing: After milking, the milk is cooled and then frozen. It is stored at −18 °C.
Why it is milked by hand
Donkeys produce only a small amount of milk compared to cows. Large milking systems are not designed for this. Many farms therefore milk by hand or with small devices. Hand milking is time-consuming, but allows for calm, direct interaction with each animal.
At DON DONKEY'S, the milk comes from European farms where it is milked by hand. How it continues afterwards – laboratory testing in Germany and frozen shipping – is described in the post From the farms to you.
Donkeys as animals: a look at their care
Donkeys are social animals that like to live in groups. Their care usually includes pasture, shelter, feed such as hay and straw, and fresh water. Everyday life on a donkey farm revolves around the animals: feeding, hoof care, herd checks, and milking determine the daily routine.
The exact conditions vary from farm to farm. If you are interested in the background, you will find more information in the post Why donkey milk is so rare.
Why the production process explains the price
The process explains why donkey milk is rare and more expensive than conventional milk:
- A donkey only produces milk when it has a foal.
- Only about 1 to 2 liters per day are additionally milked.
- Hand milking takes a lot of time per liter.
- Cooling, freezing, and refrigerated shipping are labor-intensive.
This is even clearer with cheese: You need around 25 liters of donkey milk for 1 kg of donkey cheese.
From milk to powder
A portion of the donkey milk is freeze-dried. During this process, water is removed from the frozen milk. The result is donkey milk powder, which you mix with water: 10 g of powder and 90 ml of water yield approximately 100 ml.
Freezing and refrigerated shipping make it possible to bring donkey milk from European farms to your home. The production itself, however, can hardly be accelerated: it depends on the foal, the donkey, and the manual labor on the farm. Therefore, donkey milk will remain a rare food in the future, available only in small quantities.
Frequently asked questions
Does a donkey always produce milk?
No. Milk production starts after the birth of a foal. Without a foal, there is no milk.
How much milk does a donkey produce?
About 1 to 2 liters per day in addition to what the foal drinks. The quantity varies depending on the animal and the time.
Is donkey milk milked by hand?
Yes, at DON DONKEY'S. The milk is milked by hand or in small quantities on European farms.
What do I need to consider at home?
Store the milk frozen at −18 °C and thaw it slowly in the refrigerator at 2–7 °C. Please also follow the instructions on the label. Find out more under Thawing donkey milk.
