The Donkey Dairy
Milking Process –
Gentle, Ethical & Pure

Why Our Method Matters

Compassion-First Dairy from the Cradle of Humankind

Nestled on the Magaliesberg slopes, each jenny in our rare herd is milked only after her foal has drunk its fill. We collect a mere 250 ml per donkey per day, milking every three hours with the foal in sight. This gentle rhythm, paired with a grass-only diet, keeps stress low and nutrients high—delivering donkey milk that’s as pure and ethical as nature allows.

Gentle by Nature

Love & Respect Guide Every Drop

At The Donkey Dairy, milking begins with a simple rule: the welfare of our jennies and their foals comes first. Donkeys are highly sensitive, so we never separate mother and baby during the first two months of life. This compassionate approach keeps stress levels low, maintains healthy oxytocin flow, and results in milk that’s as pure as nature intended.

Mother–Foal Bond, Intact

Foals Always Get the First Sip

For the initial eight weeks, 100 % of a jenny’s milk nourishes her foal. Only once the foal is strong enough do we begin a gentle daily routine: foals relax in a nearby nursery with top-quality feed while their mothers graze in an adjoining paddock. Because they can still see and hear each other, neither animal experiences anxiety, ensuring ethical, low-stress milk collection.

Foal-Led Milking, Every Three Hours

Gentle equipment, welfare-first — never at the foal’s expense

Donkeys are highly sensitive animals and will only release milk when their foal is present to trigger oxytocin. At The Donkey Dairy, jennies are milked briefly every three hours using a gentle, hygienic system, always with their foal in sight.

For the first eight weeks, 100% of the milk is reserved for the foal’s growth. Thereafter we collect a small daytime surplus across short sessions — totalling only 250 ml per jenny per day for production — while the evening’s milk remains solely for the foal. With each jenny producing just 1–1.5 litres a day and the foal receiving the vast majority, this foal‑led, welfare‑first process keeps donkey milk rare, ethical, and exceptionally pure.

Free-Range, Grass-Only Diet

Pure Feed Equals Pure Milk

Our jennies roam eragrostis pastures by day and enjoy premium lucerne at night, supplemented with rolled lucerne pellets during milking. This natural, grain-free diet keeps their milk clean, nutrient-rich, and free from chemical residues—exactly what discerning customers expect from South Africa’s only Donkey Dairy.

Rare & Precious Yield

Just 250 ml Per Jenny Per Day

A single cow can produce 30 litres daily; a jenny yields barely 1–1.5 litres — and most of that still belongs to her foal. That means we collect only about 250 ml of milk per donkey each day, making every jar a limited-edition treasure. Ethical, small-batch farming will always keep donkey milk exclusive, ensuring its exceptional purity and value.

Got Questions? We’ve Got Answers

Transparency is part of our promise. Below you’ll find clear, concise answers to the questions we’re asked most about how—and why—we milk our donkeys the way we do. Dive in to see how compassion, craftsmanship, and science combine to bring you South Africa’s purest donkey milk.

Do you ever separate foals from their mothers?

No. For the first two months every drop of milk goes to the foal. When we begin collecting milk, foals stay in a nursery paddock right beside their mothers so they can still see and hear each other, keeping stress to an absolute minimum.

How often are the jennies milked?

Every three hours during the day, always with the foal present or within sight to stimulate natural oxytocin release. Evening and overnight milk is left entirely for the foal, so we only collect a small daytime surplus — roughly 250 ml per jenny per day — keeping our milk truly small-batch and ethical.

How much milk does a single donkey produce?

A jenny yields only about 1–1.5 litres per day. Because the foal always comes first, we reserve the majority for the foal and collect approximately 250 ml per day for human consumption. That tiny surplus is why ethically produced donkey milk is genuinely scarce and truly small-batch.

Is milking painful for the animals?

No. We use gentle, food-grade milking equipment designed for donkeys, and sessions are calm, brief and welfare-first. The foal is kept in sight to trigger natural oxytocin release, we collect only the surplus after the foal’s needs are met, and we stop immediately if a jenny shows any sign of stress. Low-stress handling means healthier animals and consistently pure milk.

What do the donkeys eat?

Our jennies roam freely on the Magaliesberg mountain range, grazing a mixed mosaic of indigenous vegetation — mainly natural grasses and browse from this ancient landscape. For balanced nutrition, we supplement with high-quality lucerne (bales in the evening and rolled lucerne pellets during milking), with fresh water always available. This forage-first diet keeps the herd calm and healthy and contributes to the clean, delicate character of our milk.

Why is donkey milk considered more “ethical” than conventional dairy?

Because we prioritise the mother–foal bond, never over-milk, and keep herd sizes small. Intensive, high-volume systems simply aren’t possible with donkeys, so every step remains compassion-driven.