sick fawn?

silly4lilly · Oct 20, 2014

Hi All,

First I apologize if I am posting this on the wrong site but some internet research led me to it. I live in a heavily wooded area with a lot of deer. I have been putting deer corn out for a family that lives behind my house consisting of one buck, 4 does and a few fawns (around 4 months old) They are quite familiar with me (they let me get close) and they come out from the woods whenever I open the shed to get the corn.

Yesterday one of the fawns was sleeping in the middle of my rock driveway while the others were eating, which I thought was weird. It then went behind my shed and was in the fetal position for about an hour. One of the other deer curled up next to it. I looked at it through binoculars to get a close look. It looks kind of frail and I think it may be sick. I dont know what to do?

Also, I have read some articles that you are not supposed to feed fawns? I am really hoping the corn I put out for the deer did not get it sick. I thought about the deer all night.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Lilly

Bell · Oct 20, 2014

Switch from corn to a more balanced deer feed. It may have a touch of acidosis. It might help to add safeguard wormer pellets by mixing them in with the deer feed for about three days.

silly4lilly · Oct 20, 2014

Bell989071413821741

Switch from corn to a more balanced deer feed. It may have a touch of acidosis. It might help to add safeguard wormer pellets by mixing them in with the deer feed for about three days.

Thanks for your quick response.I just looked up acidosis and now I am really worried. I am going to stop putting out corn for a few days. They sometimes wait for my in the driveway for food. I had no idea too much could be harmful.

What would be a more balanced deer feed?

Do they make dewormer pellets specifically for deer? (I dont see one-- only for cattle and horses?) I assume this wont hurt the other deer that are healthy

Bell · Oct 20, 2014

Almost any farm store sells some sort of deer feed. If they don't, put out cattle feed. The safeguard wormer isn't labeled specifically for deer but works well once a year. You will not overdose a free range deer by treating them to heavy. I don't recommend the safeguard more than once a year because parasites quickly build immunity to it. The safeguard in heavy doses may also help you a bit if it is a bacterial related illness.

silly4lilly · Oct 20, 2014

Thanks. I'll check out my tractor supply store today. I feel sick to my stomach now knowing how harmful corn can be

Bell · Oct 20, 2014

The pure corn likely would not effect the adults because they will get enough fiber from the environment but a free range fawn facing weaning stress could eat too much in a situation where unlimited kernels are available. They aren't having to chew through the natural fiber of the husk and cob. Although shelled corn I don't believe would be as bad as cracked corn. Feeding pure cracked corn would be the worst.

buckyblue#33 · Oct 20, 2014

very true corn is not good except for older deer and winter time is the only time I feed it mixed of course T&S

mkwitowski · Oct 20, 2014

Lilly first off think it great your giving the free ranging deer a snack ! My advice would be make shur feeding them is Legal in the state u live in all states r different in there regulations ! If your good try a product called Golden Nuggets it's a great alternative to Corn , and I add to my feed during weaning time! Deer feed is best but usually is in a pellet form and free ranging deer sometimes won't touch it ! For reasons deer r like Kids and. Corn is candy to them! good Luck M Kwitowski

silly4lilly · Oct 21, 2014

Thanks (40,40,40); MKwitowski. I am an animal lover [we have some feral cats around us too, we built them a winter shelter

] I just think deer are so beautiful!!! It is not illegal where I live (NJ).

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