By Today I thought I’d give the jennies an ‘enrichment exercise’. They were captivated. We didn’t think Bella would ever leave the mirror face. She was totally absorbed with talking to that other black jenny. Darby was SMART. After carefully studying her image she left the Bully Barn and went to check out the other side of that wall – twice! Assuring herself that whatever it was it was not that kind of thing. Bella and Darby were so intent on playing with the mirror that they wouldn’t let Rosie anywhere near for her own try at it. Later on Rosie and I had a good look once it was fastened to the outside of the Condo door. We decided we couldn’t possibly leave it inside the barn. They were too distracted. We couldn’t imagine them turning their back on the mirror donkeys to eat. I’m very curious to see what level of interest they have in the morning.
PS. The mirror is now taped all around the edges with duct tape and then secured and framed with metal strapping so they can’t chew at it.
PS2. If you are getting this in an email there is a video that is available through the blog site.
The Meadow View 
What an interesting idea! After reading about guinea behavior, I put a small mirror in the coop I built for mine. Perhaps you could also put one in the lovely home you and Ede have created for your birds!
Now THAT is perhaps where the mirror will belong. We took it down today as Darby was SO mad at the donkey that was lurking in HER paddock! Poor girl.
How fascinating! When I had cats they couldn’t seem to see themselves in a mirror. It is interesting that your jennies can not only see in the mirror but only seem to respond to their own reflection, and not the other donkey’s. The dark jenny, who I think is Bella, reacted quite powerfully to her reflection, but took no notice of the other donkey’s (Darby?) image.
I know! I found that quite interesting. I wondered if it was because they commonly ‘see’ each other. So Darby’s image was not ‘new’. But seeing herself … that was definitely alarming!
That seems to be quite possible. Hope they are more settled now that the mirror is gone.
I wondered the same thing Wendy. Bella thought there was someone new there and she definitely wanted to have some physical contact with her!
Yes … a rollicking contact full of ‘this is MY home’ attitude I think! 😉