Cotentin donkeys (Equus asinus) are animals renowned for their robustness and gentleness. Brigitte Pieau raises them at the Domaine d’Esthine with great respect and love. The females are only mated every two years, which gives them time to rest and get back into shape between births. The mothers are only milked when the baby is three or four months old. But, concerned about the well-being of her donkeys, Brigitte Pieau milks, by hand, four times a week so that there is milk left for the babies. The donkey's milk is used in the estate's workshop to make soaps and cosmetics.