POITOU

The Poitou donkey is an ancient French donkey breed used to produce large mules. They were developed in the Poitou region of western France where mule breeding has been documented for over a thousand years. Standardization of the Poitou breed occurred around 1700, and the modern studbook was established in 1884. In France, the breed is referred to as “Baudet du Poitou”, as baudet translates to “sire of mules,” distinct from the French term “ane” for “common donkey”.

The French mule breeding industry was a highly developed and lucrative enterprise. Poitou jacks were bred to mares of a specific draft horse breed – the Mulassier (or Poitevin) – to produce Europe’s premier mules for both riding and work. While mules were promoted across Europe, breeding stock was closely held in the Poitou region. The breed nearly became extinct after World War II when the demand for mules collapsed. The Poitou’s limited geographic area increased its vulnerability and by 1980, fewer than 80 Poitous survived. In 2012, approximately 2,500 pure Poitous were registered in the studbook.

Today, the Asinerie du Baudet du Poitou, working alongside Parc Naturel Regional du Marais Poitevin, has made conservation of the Poitou donkey and the Mulassier horse part of their combined missions to protect the region’s domestic animal heritage and wild environment. Once a year, owners come together at the end of August at the Asinerie for a national competition with the largest display of Poitou donkeys, mules, and Mulassier horses in the world.

In 2020 The Livestock Conservancy began an American census for the breed after two major herd dispersals threatened the stability of the breed in this country. After a two-year search, approximately 125 Poitous were identified, DNA tested and entered into a new studbook managed by The Conservancy. Not long after, The American Poitou Breeders Association was formed to help network owners and support the conservation of the breed.

Poitous have the conformation and strength typical of asses that are used for mule-breeding. They are tall, standing 14-15 hands (56 to 60 inches) high at the withers, and weigh 750-950 lbs. Their heads are large and long. They have extraordinarily long ears and for some they spread to the sides of their heads. Their bodies are muscular with heavy, thick bones. Their feet should be large. The most striking feature of the breed is its long hair, which may hang in cords (“dreadlocks”) on the entire body. Some can have short coats, but long coats are the most desirable. Poitous are black or dark brown without a dorsal stripe. Other colors are not accepted.

Poitous can be a challenge to manage and should be in the hands of experienced donkey owners. Foals are particularly delicate in the first days of their lives. The Livestock Conservancy has worked in conjunction with owners and veterinarians to document breeding and foal protocols that have helped improve fertility and foal survivability.

If you think you may have a Poitou donkey:
Participate in The Livestock Conservancy’s American Poitou Donkey Census. For more information, read Count Me In: The Livestock Conservancy Launches First American Poitou Census

Contact The Livestock Conservancy by email at info@livestockconservancy or by phone at 919-542-5704 with any questions about Poitou donkeys or the census.

Poitou Foal Care

Breeders of rare Poitou donkeys carry a heavy responsibility. Like all other equine breeders, they invest a tremendous amount of time and resources to ensure the health their foals. For Poitou donkey breeders, though, every new foal they produce will play an important role in saving this breed from extinction. For two Poitou donkey breeders in Texas, the routine use of an immune supplementation treatment for newborn foals has resulted in better foal survival and health outcomes. A description of the treatment is available as a downloadable PDF reference for breeders who want to consider its use on their farm. This information is intended for educational purposes only. It is not meant to be used as a substitute for the advice of the breeder’s own qualified veterinarian.

Think you may have a Poitou donkey:
Participate in The Livestock Conservancy’s American Poitou Donkey Census. For more information, read Count Me In: The Livestock Conservancy Launches First American Poitou Census

Contact The Livestock Conservancy by email at info@livestockconservancy or by phone at 919-542-5704 with any questions about Poitous or the census.

Poitou Foal Care

Breeders of rare Poitou donkeys carry a heavy responsibility. Like all other equine breeders, they invest a tremendous amount of time and resources to ensure the health their foals. For Poitou donkey breeders, though, every new foal they produce will play an important role in saving this breed from extinction. For two Poitou donkey breeders in Texas, the routine use of an immune supplementation treatment for newborn foals has resulted in better foal survival and health outcomes. A description of the treatment is available as a downloadable PDF reference for breeders who may wish to consider its use on their farm. This information is intended for educational purposes only. It is not meant to be used as a substitute for the advice of the breeder’s own qualified veterinarian.

Did you know:

The Dominique chicken is America’s oldest chicken breed and was widely raised on farms in the 1800s.  Did your grandparents raise “Dominikkers”?  Learn more about this beautiful but threatened breed at Dominique chicken – The Livestock Conservancy