daywoodwhitetails said:
Don't know why this hasn't been said already it is Illegal to have a wild deer in the state of Texas you need to find a licensed rehab er and let them do it they know what and how to take care of deer Not to sound like a *** but you are probubly doing more harm then good and as far as hunters go you can raise it how ever you want but you need to face the facts that sooner or later it will probubly come across a hunter you have gotten alot of good advice from some of the best in the industry so i would listen to what they say they have been doing this for years wish you the best of luck with what ever you decide
I am well aware, but thank you. I've had family members who've done this before, without special formula's or anything like what we have available today, and all of their deer turned out healthy. I feel that taking him to a rehab, an unfamiliar place with unfamiliar people and lots of activity, will only stress him out. He is use to a quiet life, and is only use to myself and a few family members. In fact, just the transition from indoor to outdoor had to be taken quite slowly, he was freaking out so badly that it seemed quite possible he'd harm himself. He is startled by the simplest of sounds, and a rehab is filled with sounds of other orphaned animals. As for hunters, I faced that fact the first day I had him. But there is no harm in trying to protect him. He will be placed in a protected, and very large, city park that is known for having friendly deer. The only way he'll come across a hunter is if they are illegally hunting on park grounds, or if he wanders away. None the less, I understand that his death will eventually come from a hunter.
Lisa said:
Silverwolf -I have to say I am confused as to why you can't tell the gender...
If the milk you are feeding it is working, stick to it. Just supplement with a mineral paste and as the others said, dirt and alfalfa. A probiotic powder or paste is helpful to give as well. I wouldn't worry about de-worming unless you to take a fecal sample to the veterinarian and have it tested. Most any local feed store can order whitetail fawn feed, just ask.
Good luck, but I suggest you take it to a veterinarian for both you and the fawn's well being.
He has no obvious genitalia that identifies male or female, like a puppy or human, so it's not that hard to understand why I don't know his gender. Also, I'm aware that he can be very dangerous if he is a buck. Thank you for your advice. However, considering the legal issues, I can't take him to a vet.
Sandridge Whitetails said:
Silverwolf - Wow...just read all these posts, and you got some good and great info, and yes you received some attitude, of which I would agree was not necessary, at all!!!
As I'm sure you are by now convinced, red cap, the milk you buy in the store that has the red cap, is ok to feed your fawn. Many think it's more than ok, and in fact think it's what you should feed your fawns.
I too had heard for years and years that cow's milk would kill a fawn...that they couldn't digest it. Obviously that's a fallacy!
As you were advised by some, DEFINTELY do a gradual transition from one milk to another. Let the transition take at least 10 days, or up to 2 weeks if you want...that length of time will hurt nothing, but only offer insurance and help.
One of the reasons your fawn is not eating your ''horse hay'' is probably because its all or mostly grass. Pen deer will not eat grass hay. You need to get them GREAT QUALITY alfalfa or clover hay...and even then they seem to waste a good portion of it.
Cut some tree branches with leaves on them that you know the local deer eat. Your fawn will eat them much more readily than anything.
Also to reiterate, get the fawn away from the chickens when you can.
Panacure can be given to fawns, I've done it a lot.
As you have been told, calf manna is good, as well as some or the sweet feeds you can find. Get the textured feed as opposed to the pellet. Expect your fawn NOT to dive into whatever you give him. It will take the fawn some time to begin to eat it. Just keep it in front of him(or her) 24/7.
Speaking of him or her...pick up the fawns tail, and if they are 2 holes back there, it is a doe. And actually, if you look between its legs, and its a buck, you will readily see a scrotum.
I know I probably haven't told you a whole lot more than you've already been told. I was just trying to omit any confusion in case there was some.
I appreciate your heart Silverwolf, as others do on here as well(except maybe one), so you just keep on asking all the questions you need to ask. They'll be those on here that will be more than glad to take care of ya.
Hope the best for you and your little buddy Silverwolf.
Thank you. I was getting quite discouraged from some of the responses I got
Anyways, thank you very very much for your help. I have him a small bale of the best alfalfa I could find, and he should be getting some red cap milk pretty soon since our food stamps just came in. He loves the leaves from our trees, and I try and feed him the leaves as much and as often as I can. He also likes horse grain, however he tends to eat it too fast and ends up choking a little. And thank you for telling me how to tell if he's male or female. I'm quite worried that he's actually a he, and at least now I'll be able to either dispel or confirm my suspicions.
And yes there was some confusion, so thank you for clarifying things
The only issue I'm having with him now is his alfalfa. I have the bale and everything, but my horse is a pig. I haven't quite figured out how I'm going to build him a small pen that's sturdy enough to keep the horse out, but also able to let me in to care for him. But otherwise, he's doing great. His bare patches are rapidly growing back, and I'd estimate he's about 20 pounds. I'm not quite sure why his fur is growing back now, the only thing that has changed is that he's on a set schedule for feedings.
Lastly, do you know why his eyes are still blue? Nobody seems to have an answer for his eyes.
