Fawns ...

[Julie_in_PA]

Is there anyone here that cares for / raises fawns ?

My uncle is new to the Deer Business, and he brought me a bottle baby fawn doe. She was only a day old when I got her ... and I've been doing my best with her. I've done research, and talked to another deer farmer about what to do for her care. But there's not alot of info online about raising fawns. And I can't bug the deer farmer all the time. So I need a place to turn to when I have questions.
I have a goat farm - and have raised many bottle baby goats. So yes, I know what I'm doing for the most part. But I do still have questions.

So far - she's been doing really well with bottle feeding. And I "stimulate" (wipe her bottom,etc.) every feeding. I also gave her a bowl of loose dirt to eat.

My questions for now are ...

although I stimulate her at EVERY feeding - I haven't WITNESSED her "go" at all. She seems and acts healthy and fine ... doesn't look bloated or anything. So she could be "going" when I'm not looking. But I'm just curious about it - since I haven't seen anything.

Also - how much dirt should she eat ? I introduced it to her yesterday (she's 4 days old) and she wouldn't take it from the bowl - so I put some on my hand and she nibbled a little bit of it. Not much though. I left the bowl there - in case she does eat some, but how much should she be eating ?

Those are my two main questions for now. Well, actually one more ... I'm also curious how many deer farmers actually get up through the night for feedings ?

Ok ... I'll quit for now, I hope someone on here can help me .. I really need a "mentor" to go to when I have questions like these.

 

[strutandrut]

Welcome to the site. Someone on here may know something about it. Not me though. My interests are a little different than raising them. Good luck and welcome again to the best site on the internet.

BSK is the "Deer God". He would know as much as anyone about the subject.

 

[Julie_in_PA]

ok thanks ... yeah, I realize that most on here (if not all) are on here for deer hunting discussion. But considering that I can't find any active deer forum to turn to for care/management ... I figured I'd try here

 

[strutandrut]

ok thanks ... yeah, I realize that most on here (if not all) are on here for deer hunting discussion. But considering that I can't find any active deer forum to turn to for care/management ... I figured I'd try here

You will be fine here. Although most of us hunt deer, we hold the utmost respect for the animals we hunt.

 

[JohnnyBond]

Welcome to the site. I am sure that there is someone here that can help you.

 

[Julie_in_PA]

Thanks

 

[Boone 58]

Welcome Julie! Love the site and the pics are great! I particularly like the one where the cat is looking at the napping fawn like "you are taking my spot"!!!