This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

Free Martins ?

Joined May 2009
23 Posts | 0+
Wondering if deer can be Free Martins like cattle.

One doe had twins last year, one buck, one doe. I'm wondering if that doe fawn will ever be able to have fawns of her own.
 
I read a article on that a while back and they said they do not believe that whitetail deer become sterile like cattle do if there is a male and female in the same womb. They did mention that they thought this might be the cause of why some does have male traits though, like antlers and other behaviors. I am sure others know more than I do but thats my 2 cents.
 
I am really confused.I do not understand at all.Why would the doe fawn not be able to get pregant.One of my does just had twin's the other day ,1buck,1doe.

I just talk to a deer farmer who has been raising deer for 20 years the other day and told him my doe had twin's(1doe,1buck).He said that is great.Now I dont think he would say that is great if the doe fawn could not get pregant in the future.It makes no sense to me.
 
kydeer said:
I am really confused.I do not understand at all.Why would the doe fawn not be able to get pregant.One of my does just had twin's the other day ,1buck,1doe.

I just talk to a deer farmer who has been raising deer for 20 years the other day and told him my doe had twin's(1doe,1buck).He said that is great.Now I dont think he would say that is great if the doe fawn could not get pregant in the future.It makes no sense to me.



Thats what I was trying to say, the article showed that Does did not become sterile. I didn't know if I confused you if you were referring to my last post.
 
NYDOE , your chances of having a freemartin are pretty much zero !! Freemartins in cattle are a result of interchange of embryonic cells from one twin to the other and this rarley happens in cervids. Yes most female twins to a male in cattle will be freemartins as they can share circulation within the placenta . I think it's like 90 percent as the uterus and overies in the female never really develope properly . Your doe fawn will be fine and I'd be happy with a fawn of each gender ! Just my opinion nothing more !
 
I guess I'll give her a chance then and down the road I'll you know how it turns out. Thanks so much for the replies.
 
Like Woody said about zero for a free martin in deer. Nature allows these animals to have twins and doesn't have this free martin problem. Your doe fawn will in almost cases be able to make fawns.