(40,40,40); I have several new fawns born this week. Was thinking of bottle feeding a couple and wanted to get some advice from you folks. I know it is a large commitment, but think it is worth it to have tame animals in the herd. The main question I have is when should you pull the fawns from the doe? I have 2 sets of triplets, one born last Saturday and the other born today. Would the ones born last Saturday be too old to start on bottles now? I appreciate any information you folks could have for me. Thanks again!!!
Joined Sep 2010
572 Posts | 0+
Indiana
Agree with Clearview..no later than 48 hrs...Just give them enough time to get the colustrum from momma. harder for them to take the bottle the longer you wait..they will BUT..it's just a lil harder
Joined May 2009
2,369 Posts | 0+
Chillicothe, Missouri
I generally pull my fawns the evening of the day after they are born. I normally try to feed them the next morning but I don't try real hard if they fight me to much, usually by the next feeding they will take the bottle, usually... Only pulled two so far this year, one the day after birth and one at 4 days, both started fine but the 4 day old is by far the friendliest at this point. Go figure...
We have been trying for 12 hours as long as we know they have they have sucked from mom. Seem to have much better luck with this.
Usually pull mine around 24 hours. However pulled one week and half old the other day and she was easiest deer to start ever. Super friendly to.
I have pulled fawns anywhere from 12-36 hours and seemed to have the best results with 12-18 hours.
Having a calm herd where you can watch them to make sure they've got the colostrum is nice, but not everyone has that option. (I will say I was able to watch the last 3 fawns born here and they were all sucking before they were standing...mother nature and instinct is amazing to watch!)
I keep fresh goat colostrum on hand too though and they get that in their first 2 bottles.
Having a calm herd where you can watch them to make sure they've got the colostrum is nice, but not everyone has that option. (I will say I was able to watch the last 3 fawns born here and they were all sucking before they were standing...mother nature and instinct is amazing to watch!)
I keep fresh goat colostrum on hand too though and they get that in their first 2 bottles.
I have a super tame doe and she is in with 3 tame bottle fed yearling does. How tame will the super tame doe fawns be if I leave them on her and don't pull the doe fawn she had today? I'm in the pen every other day and sat and sun.