Hi everyone, I am a young/new deer farmer in PA. I have just found a fawn in with my deer herd on monday, must have been born over the weekend, the fawn was alone and none of the deer were paying attention to it so I'm guessing the mother abandoned it since it was born so late in the year. The fawn was dehydrated and not able to stand. I immediately gave him water and got goat's milk as soon as possible, within 2 hours I had him up and walking around a bit. He is gaining weight, has a healthy appetite and looks very good, I have been giving him a colostrum additive with the milk, what else do I need to do with him? Do I need to get him shots? When do I begin to deworm him, I use a pellet to deworm my herd, not sure how to handle fawns. Any help would be great, thanks.
Joined Apr 2009
1,231 Posts | 0+
PA
Can only pass on what we have learned:
We use pepto-bismal to handle scours.
We use un-flavored yogurt (1 teaspoon/10oz bottle)
We use pro-biotec with their milk formula
We made dirt/pellet feed avail very early
Have water avail to them.
At about 1 month we offered cut up apples (love them)
LISTENED TO WHAT THE FINE PEOPLE ON THIS SITE SAID AND WE ASKED QUESTIONS IF WE DID NOT KNOW
when you ask medical question be sure to tell in detail what you have done. how the fawn looks. photos if possible. So the people who want to help you can "see" what you are seeing.
Good luck
We use pepto-bismal to handle scours.
We use un-flavored yogurt (1 teaspoon/10oz bottle)
We use pro-biotec with their milk formula
We made dirt/pellet feed avail very early
Have water avail to them.
At about 1 month we offered cut up apples (love them)
LISTENED TO WHAT THE FINE PEOPLE ON THIS SITE SAID AND WE ASKED QUESTIONS IF WE DID NOT KNOW
when you ask medical question be sure to tell in detail what you have done. how the fawn looks. photos if possible. So the people who want to help you can "see" what you are seeing.
Good luck
Joined Apr 2009
1,231 Posts | 0+
PA
Still no call... I hope everything is OK... I feel You need to talk to somebody who knows what whey are doing or it might not make it... There are a lot of great people... If I were you I would pick one and call them.
http://www.deerforums.com/vbforums/showthread.php?t=255&highlight=phone+list
The reason I feel you need to call someone is to tell people what the poop is like... to see if that is why he was dehydrated...Is it white,grey,foamy,bloody??? ect... lots of little tricks can be passed on.
Texas John it seems you were a great student
I am sure the people that helped you were happy you offered help back when somebody needed it.
http://www.deerforums.com/vbforums/showthread.php?t=255&highlight=phone+list
The reason I feel you need to call someone is to tell people what the poop is like... to see if that is why he was dehydrated...Is it white,grey,foamy,bloody??? ect... lots of little tricks can be passed on.
Texas John it seems you were a great student
I am sure the people that helped you were happy you offered help back when somebody needed it.
Painted Meadows BJs: Not so sure bout the great student, but I'm trying.
As with everything else in life - you get back what you put into it.
We have truly enjoyed working with these fawns - each has their own individual traits and habits. Just makes us happy when they run and play - we've spent hours just watching and learning.
Do have some questions: -
when do you put the fawns back with the adults?
Do the adults generally accept them?
What can we expect?
As with everything else in life - you get back what you put into it.
We have truly enjoyed working with these fawns - each has their own individual traits and habits. Just makes us happy when they run and play - we've spent hours just watching and learning.
Do have some questions: -
when do you put the fawns back with the adults?
Do the adults generally accept them?
What can we expect?
TX John - Here, after I wean all the fawns I put all the doe fawns together and all of the buck fawns together to grow out over the winter.
In the event you do not have pen space and HAVE to put the fawns out with the does.... just watch them close to be sure that the does do not act aggressively toward the fawns.
In the event you do not have pen space and HAVE to put the fawns out with the does.... just watch them close to be sure that the does do not act aggressively toward the fawns.
Joined Apr 2009
1,231 Posts | 0+
PA
YES I agree ...The Doe will sometimes knock them in the noggin pretty hard... And we all know how bucks can be.
Good to know!!! I have plenty of room and extra pens so should not be a problem to separate.
How big do they have to be to separate in pens?
Mine are 90 days old so when do you suggest that I separate?
How big do they have to be to separate in pens?
Mine are 90 days old so when do you suggest that I separate?
Joined Apr 2009
1,231 Posts | 0+
PA
You could separate them any time ...but I would separate them if they are 70lb or more or if they rub off velvet only because that was what I was always told...
Funny little story...
I have several different pens and several different herds...
A breeder herd... a shooter herd... and a pet herd...In my pet herd, I had two nice bucks and a young buck who's antlers hadn't proven themselves yet... so I didn't want him to breed...I didn't care which one of the more dominate bucks bred the doe cause they were both nice...
Well... When each doe came in the two big bucks would push each other around and the little bugger would sneek in and breed the doe each time...So you will learn one way or the other what to do.
Funny little story...
I have several different pens and several different herds...
A breeder herd... a shooter herd... and a pet herd...In my pet herd, I had two nice bucks and a young buck who's antlers hadn't proven themselves yet... so I didn't want him to breed...I didn't care which one of the more dominate bucks bred the doe cause they were both nice...
Well... When each doe came in the two big bucks would push each other around and the little bugger would sneek in and breed the doe each time...So you will learn one way or the other what to do.
We weaned the fawns off the mothers around the 15th of August. For us, it allows the does ample time to get back into good condition for the breeding season. At 90 days, they should be ready to be separated. I know there are does here that would feed their babies right on through breeding season and would get too run down. I weaned all my bottle babies around the same time with the exception of my 4 youngest ones who are now completely weaned.
In addition, you could vaccinate and worm your fawns while you have them caught. Wait a couple of weeks and run the does back through for the same treatment. Don't drop the does in the chute until their bags are dried up as they could rupture.
Hope this info helps.
In addition, you could vaccinate and worm your fawns while you have them caught. Wait a couple of weeks and run the does back through for the same treatment. Don't drop the does in the chute until their bags are dried up as they could rupture.
Hope this info helps.
I have the fawn on goat's milk, I know it's not the cheapest way to go, but it's my first time raising one and I want to make it a good experience so i'm using what I've been told is best no matter cost. I've been mixing it, about 2/3 milk and 1/3 water, and using a colostrum additive since I found him. When should I stop using colostrum? when do I need to give vaccines, and what vaccines should I get? I am in North Central PA. The fawn is a about 1 1/2 weeks old now. Billiejo, I've tried calling twice, no answer, when is the best time to reach you?
Joined Apr 2009
1,231 Posts | 0+
PA
After 24 hours, the colostrum addative has no affect, you can stop adding that now. If you are using pastuerized goat milk, you DO NOT add water to it. PA might be a touch different than OK, but I do not vaccinate my fawns until I wean them at 3 months or so old. You can put Ivomec Plus (1/2 cc) in her bottle at 1 month old, 2 months old and again when you wean her. Other than that, I do nothing but watch them grow!
I have a goat milk feeding schedule, let me know if you need it.
I have a goat milk feeding schedule, let me know if you need it.
The goat milk I am using is pasteurized, but it is also condensed, that's why i am adding the water to it. He is doing great so far, great appetite, and good stool as far as I know. He was full of energy today for the first time when I took him out in the field for the afternoon to run around. He has just walked around and been lathargic since I got him. I think this is because he is getting his muscle back and doesn't have to put all his energy into just staying alive. Thanks again for the help everyone.
Well, I am glad to hear he is doing so well. That is awesome!
PS- Part of the fawn looking like he was lethargic is it is in their instinct to lie still and quiet to avoid predators. I just realized now that he was only a few days old when you said he was finally coming around. Could be he is perfectly healthy and just doing what he was supposed to do, hide from danger.
Take care.
PS- Part of the fawn looking like he was lethargic is it is in their instinct to lie still and quiet to avoid predators. I just realized now that he was only a few days old when you said he was finally coming around. Could be he is perfectly healthy and just doing what he was supposed to do, hide from danger.
Take care.
Hey there, you are getting awesome advise from folks who have been there. If you will give me a call I will donate you without any charge, all the product you will need to hopeully get your little feller raised up. The finest people in the world love Whitetail Deer!
Jeff Elison, Pres.
TARGET PROBITICS
817-565-8695
Jeff Elison, Pres.
TARGET PROBITICS
817-565-8695