Updated 25 October 2026. Facts on this page come from minecraft.wiki, minecraft.net and the live Artemis PvP server; sources are listed at the bottom.
Donkeys and Mules in Minecraft: Taming and Chests
Donkeys are horse-like animals that can carry a chest, giving you 15 extra inventory slots on the go. Tame one by riding it until hearts appear, then saddle it and add a chest. A mule is what you get by breeding a horse with a donkey: it can also carry a chest, but mules cannot breed.
Where do you find donkeys?
On Java they spawn in meadows, plains and savannas; on Bedrock in plains, meadows and savannas too. Mules never spawn naturally, so breed one from a horse and a donkey. Wandering traders also arrive with llamas, not donkeys; see wandering trader.
How do you tame a donkey or mule?
With an empty hand, mount it over and over. Each try raises its temper, and when it stops bucking you off and shows hearts it is tamed. Feeding it sugar, wheat, apples, golden carrots or golden apples raises the temper faster. Then put on a saddle; see saddles.
How do you add a chest?
Use a chest on a tamed adult donkey or mule. Open its inventory while riding, or by sneaking and using it, to reach 15 slots. If it dies, it drops the chest, the saddle and everything inside. A chest is handy for carrying ores and wood home from a long trip.
How do you breed them?
- Feed two tamed donkeys golden apples or golden carrots to get a baby donkey.
- Feed a tamed horse and a tamed donkey the same way to get a mule.
- Babies take 20 minutes to grow; feeding speeds it up.
- Breeding basics: breeding animals.
Are donkeys good to ride?
They are slower than most horses and cannot wear horse armor, but they take half fall damage and only start taking it after 6 blocks. Use them as pack animals for long trips and mining runs; for speed use a horse. More: horses.
Does ArtemisPvP have custom donkeys?
Frequently asked questions
Can mules breed?
No. Mules come only from breeding a horse with a donkey.
Sources
Every fact on this page was checked against these pages; the wording is ours.