
- Warm 2–4 fl oz (59–118 ml) of goat’s milk or milk replacer in the bottle. If you’re using goat’s milk, just pour it into the bottle.
- Feed the fawn a full bottle every 3-4 hours. Fawns typically need to feed 6-7 times per day, so plan on spacing out feedings every 3-4 hours until the ...
- Stimulate the fawn's bowels while feeding it, if necessary. Fawns often need help stimulating urination and defecation.
- Limit bonding by feeding fawns in groups, if possible. Every time you feed a fawn, it will bond with you a little more and become less able to successfully ...
What do baby deer fawns eat?
This heavily depends on the fawns age. Baby deer Fawns under the age of 12 weeks need to be fed deer milk, goats’ milk, or adequate milk replacer. WARNING: Never feed Fawns cows’ milk.
How to care for an orphaned baby fawn?
Once you have indeed been instructed to care for an orphaned baby fawn, the next step is to hydrate them with an electrolyte replacer, as an emergency alternative, sugar water. Then goats’ milk or an adequate milk replacer will be necessary as it will be their main source of nutrition.
How to feed a baby fawn from a goat?
Switching to Milk for Bottle-Feeding Warm 2–4 fl oz (59–118 ml) of goat’s milk or milk replacer in the bottle. Feed the fawn a full bottle every 3-4 hours. Stimulate the fawn's bowels while feeding it, if necessary. Limit bonding by feeding fawns in groups, if possible.
What kind of milk do fawns eat?
As mentioned before, goats’ milk is a great and easily accessible milk to feed fawn. Again, do not under any circumstances feed fawn cow’s milk. It is not made for their digestive system; it will only damage it.

How do you feed abandoned fawns?
If you need to bottle-feed an orphaned fawn, pour warm goat's milk or wildlife milk replacer into a water bottle and attach a goat or lamb bottle-feeding nipple. Use 2-4 fl oz for a fawn that's knee-high or 4-6 oz if it's waist-high, and give it a bottle every 3-4 hours.
What kind of milk can you feed a baby deer?
We've had reports that the mother has returned even after a few days, but be sure to keep an eye on the fawn because the Mom's milk may have dried up by then. So put him back if you can continue to check on him. Fawns should only be given goat's milk or a fawn replacement milk. Do not give cow's milk.
How much milk should a fawn drink?
Amounts recommended are based on an average birth weight of 6-8 pounds. Adjust amounts fed according to body weight, appetite and availability of the doe's milk. Fawns should be offered no more than 15-18% of their body weight in milk replacer solution daily, or 3% of body weight at a single feeding.
How do you take care of a fawn?
0:025:24Fawn care 101 - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo they need the bacteria in their stomach to get their stomach working properly a fawn without dirtMoreSo they need the bacteria in their stomach to get their stomach working properly a fawn without dirt in their diet can get sick. And a fawn that eats bad dirt can still get sick and get bad bacteria.
Can a fawn survive without its mother?
A fawn can be fully weaned (able to survive without its mother's milk) at 70 days of age. If we assume all fawns are born on June 1, this means all fawns can survive on their own by August 10. From a biologist's standpoint, fawns are fully functional ruminants any time from 45 to 60 days of age (say, July 15).
Do fawns eat apples?
They'll benefit more from easily digestible foods during the winter months. Deer naturally eat apples, and apples are perfectly safe for use in a deer feeder.
How long can a baby deer go without nursing?
Most White-tailed does do not leave their fawns for more than 10 hours as they will need to be nursed. If you know that the fawn has been there for more than 10 hours, call your local rehabilitator for advice.
How can you tell how old a baby fawn is?
Look at their coat pattern. The reddish-brown will also fade away to a grayish, thicker winter coat. In addition to the spine spots, a young fawn will also have a random assortment of white spots over the rest of its coat. Most fawns lose their spots at about 3 to 4 months of age, usually around October.
How long do you bottle feed a fawn?
Fawns can be completely weaned and survive without milk by 10 weeks of age (2½ months), but does often wean them at 12 to 16 weeks (3 to 4 months). It's not uncommon for hunters to see a May or June born fawn still nursing, or attempting to, in October (20-plus weeks).
Do fawns drink water?
Offer fresh, clean water everyday in a small bowl. Also offer small amounts of “creep” feed or your regular deer ration.
What do you do with an abandoned fawn?
Start by calling your local animal control department or nature center, who can either take the animal or help locate a licensed wildlife rehabilitator who can. If a hidden fawn is discovered on your property, it's up to you to keep your pet dogs and your children away from it.
What do you do with an abandoned baby deer?
Unless you know that the mother is dead, leave the fawn alone. Although mother deer are wary of human smells, they still want their babies back. If you already handled the fawn, quickly return the fawn to the exact spot where you found them and leave the area; the mother deer will not show herself until you are gone.
Can you give a baby deer evaporated milk?
Deer fawns need lamb milk replacer if orphaned. Undiluted, canned evaporated milk can also be used as a milk replacer.
How long can fawns go without milk?
Fawns can be completely weaned and survive without milk by 10 weeks of age (2½ months), but does often wean them at 12 to 16 weeks (3 to 4 months).
What do you do with an abandoned baby deer?
Unless you know that the mother is dead, leave the fawn alone. Although mother deer are wary of human smells, they still want their babies back. If you already handled the fawn, quickly return the fawn to the exact spot where you found them and leave the area; the mother deer will not show herself until you are gone.
Do fawns drink water?
Offer fresh, clean water everyday in a small bowl. Also offer small amounts of “creep” feed or your regular deer ration.
What to do with an orphaned baby fawn?
Once you have indeed been instructed to care for an orphaned baby fawn, the next step is to hydrate them with an electrolyte replacer like this or, as an emergency alternative, sugar water. Then goats’ milk or an adequate milk replacer will be necessary as it will be their main source of nutrition.
How long do fawns feed?
New-born fawns naturally begin feeding within the first few hours of being born. If you have a new-born fawn whose mother has rejected it or is deceased, it is important to feed it within the first 4 hours. It is recommended to feed them with colostrum supplement like this.
What to feed a baby deer at 12 weeks?
After baby deer pass the 12 week mark, you can start reducing the milk or milk replacer and up the deer starter, pelleted feed, and forage. Don’t forget water! Older baby deer can also Eat Fruits and Vegetables such as: Carrots,Cabbage,Apples,Bananas,Pears, Berries and Small amounts of Lettuce.
How old do deer fawns need to be to eat?
This heavily depends on the fawns age. Baby deer Fawns under the age of 12 weeks need to be fed deer milk, goats’ milk, or adequate milk replacer. WARNING: Never feed Fawns cows’ milk. It will cause massive gastrointestinal stress; it is not healthy or safe for wildlife to consume.
Why do deer and fawns come around?
It is incredibly common nowadays to spot deer and fawn around. This is due to the overpopulation of deer, but also because humans have expanded far into wild animal territory. We have taken more and more space, which increases the chances of discovering wildlife in odd spaces. So, whether you are rescuing an orphaned fawn, ...
Why is it important to rescue a fawn?
Firstly, because they are not dogs. Petting them, stroking them is not comforting to them, and that stress and fear can be damaging to their health. Additionally, fawns imprint quickly, become attached quickly.
How long do deer need to be fed?
They require a lot of attention and caring for. 8 feedings a day for at least 10 weeks, introduction to new foods to stimulate their digestive systems, encouraging them to forage on their own and interact solely with other deer. You simultaneously spend a lot of time with the fawn but do not want it to bond with you.
What to feed a newborn fawn?
But make sure the consistency resembles that of a beaten-down batter. Encourage the newborn fawn to drink ample water in a clean, nutritious water bowl. It is a major source of nutrition in the early stages of its growth.
What is the most important food for a fawn?
The Importance of Colostrum . This is one of the most vital components of a fawn’s initial diet. It is naturally obtained from doe’s milk and contains the important protein, nutrients, vitamins, and minerals necessary for the development of immunity.
How to tell if a fawn is hydrated?
You can also do the ‘skin turgor’ test to find out if it is adequately hydrated. Pinch the fawn’s skin slightly and observe how it rests back. If it rests back normally and instantaneously, then the fawn is well hydrated. However, if you notice the pinch marks on its back, it’s an indication that it needs more fluids.
How to feed a baby deer?
Now that you are well versed with what to feed a baby deer, there are certain things you should keep in mind while bottle feeding your fawn: Warm the bottle before feeding by placing it in a bowl of warm water. It should be at the fawn’s body temperature, not too hot. Make sure the bottle nipple is not too large.
How to train a baby deer to poop?
This helps stimulate the digestive system. Fawns have to be trained to poop. Use wet wipes or wet cloths to rub its anus and stimulate bowel movements.
How old do fawns need to be to eat hay?
You can also introduce some hay in the fawn’s diet once it is 1 to 2 weeks old and also include some ‘clean’ dirt, dandelions, clover, and other such greens. However, make sure that you don’t feed them more than 20% of their body weight.
Can you raise a fawn without a permit?
Unlike cats or dogs, you don’t hear of many people with deer for pets. In fact, it’s illegal to raise a fawn without a prior permit. In case you find an orphaned fawn, inform a local wildlife rehabilitation organization for help providing the fawn with the care it needs.
What to do if fawns are weak?
If fawns are weak or slow probably need to give. pull hair sample for DNA. Put in a paper envelop and label appropriately. may want to consider giving plasma/transfuse fawns if unsure of colostrum intake, weak, sick, extremely valuable.
What is the most important thing in a fawn's life?
Colostrum is the most important thing in the fawn’s life. It contains antibodies to the diseases that the does have been exposed to or vaccinated for. It also contains vitamins, protein, energy and laxative to get their intestinal tract working.
What happens if a cow doesn't get colostrum?
If they do not get colostrum, they are more likely to get scours, pneumonia, necrotic stomatatis, become chronic poor doers, succumb to other diseases and die. Colostrum can be obtained from milking out does that have lost their fawns (trust me, it’s tedious but worth it) or from someone that has cows, goats, sheep.
Can you get colostrum from a doe?
You just need to be aware of the disease status of the place you get the colostrum from as you may lose your TB status or infect your fawns with Johne’s or other diseases. A tip that may be useful is to go to the drug store and get a breast pump to help you obtain colostrum from a doe.
Is bottle feeding a milk replacer?
Bottle feeding is time consuming and milk replacer costs lots of money. You will have to use your best judgment and do what fits your situation best. Many people like to feed longer to keep the babies tame and used to humans. Some just like to feed the babies (so do I, but it does get old after a while!).
Can you raise whitetail deer fawns?
There are diseases and conditions that may be specific to certain areas or where these guidelines don’t work! As always, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it! Always consult your local veterinarian for area specific conditions and to see if certain antibiotics or other medicaments ...
Can fawns scour?
If using a formula designed for fawns or goat milk replacer, the fawns should not scour using these guidelines. Fawns do not scour generally from feeding (with the right formula), they scour from disease (E. coli, Salmonella, rota or corona virus, Clostridium, coccidiosis, etc).
