3,694. Something That Resembles a Donkey

Hilchos Bikkurim 12:18

If a cow gives birth to something that resembles a donkey, or if a donkey gives birth to something that resembles a horse, it is exempt from redemption. This is inferred from the Torah stating “the first issue of a donkey” twice (Exodus 13:13 and 34:20). By doing so, the Torah indicates that the mother and the offspring must both be identifiable as donkeys. If the offspring has some of the signs of a donkey, then it must be redeemed.

Hilchos Bikkurim 12:19

If a donkey never gave birth before and it gives birth to two males, the owner must give a sheep to a kohein. If the donkey gives birth to a male and a female and we don’t know which was born first, a lamb is put aside in order to remove any potential sanctity in case the male was born first. In this way, it will be permitted to benefit from it. The sheep that was put aside belongs to the owner rather than the kohein because the burden of proof is on the one who wants to take property from another (i.e., the kohein must prove that the male was born first).