Rare Poitou Donkeys Arrive at Folly Farm

We’re so excited to welcome one of the world’s largest donkey breeds to the farm family.

It’s our pleasure to introduce the newest arrivals to our farm family. Meet Matilda and Maisie, two beautiful Poitou donkeys who arrived at the farm on Monday. At only eight months old, Matilda and Maisie already stand at an impressive height – but they still have plenty more growing to do. We can’t wait to see how big they get!

Our newest arrivals made the journey from a collection in Cambridge with Farm Managers Kim and Jane, who are already smitten with these giant juveniles.

Farm Manager Jane with one of the new Poitou Donkeys

Farm Manager Kim said:

“They have such a lovely temperament and are so inquisitive and friendly. They’re settling in beautifully and already enjoying exploring their new surroundings and spending time in the paddocks. I’m sure our guests will love them just as much as we do!”

Check out the following video of Kim introducing Matilda and Maisie:

Poitou donkeys, otherwise known as ‘Baudet du Poitou’, are a French breed with a distinctive, shaggy coat and enormous ears! They are one of the biggest breeds of donkey that were formerly in worldwide demand for agricultural work in the 18th century.

“There is found, in northern Poitou, donkeys which are as tall as mules. They are almost completely covered in hair a half-foot long with legs and joints as large as those of a carriage horse”. How an advisor to King Louis XV described the Poitou donkey breed

With the modernisation of agricultural machinery in the 20th century, the Poitou population saw a sharp decline – so conservation efforts were made to try and protect this impressive breed.

You can meet Matilda and Maisie in the Jolly Barn on Saturday – just in time for the start of our Winter Weekend opening where the park is open for our Santa’s Grotto event.