Well we have 2 mares and a gelding. We went to feed them this morning and come to our suprise the neighbors jack got loose again, but this time made it's way INTO the pasture. Looks like he's been there for a while as they were all relaxed in the pasture. Don't know if He got to the mares or not. One I wouldn't be so worried about, but my mare I am. She's 28+.. Vet said if she foaled again it would probably kill her. I'm hoping she finally stopped going into heat, but everytime I think that, BOOM she's in heat again.
If you're truly concerned about your mares, especially the older girl, call the vet out and have him give them each a shot of Lutalyse. Then present the bill to your neighbor when you you give him back his jack donkey.
They are infertile due to the different number of chromosomes which is a result of two different speices creating an offspring. For istance, horses have 64 chromosomes and donkeys have 62, resulting in mules having 63 chromosomes. There are very rare cases in which female mules can produce an offspring with a purebred horse or donkey, but it is rare.
This is what I understand, someone will correct me if I'm wrong.
This is correct. As of about 10 years ago there were only 2 mule mares that were able breed and none of their offspring were able to breed. No other scientifically proven mules were able to breed.
And I agree with Speed Racer that you should get your vet to give Lutalyse. It isn't 100% effective but hopefully it will work.
No. Genetically, mules cannot reproduce. They can carry the offspring, but due to their odd number of chromosomes, they cannot create the baby themselves. The mule that had a baby was special.
Isn't a mammoth jack a donkey, Allison? That's my understanding. A mule jack can't produce viable sperm, but a mammoth donkey jack is another thing entirely.
Lovely donkey, by the way. I hope to have a long ears of some sort one of these days.
Interesting and I agree, that Mammoth boy is gorgeous!
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