What Do You Feed a Wild Baby Deer? A Guide to Fawn Care
Never attempt to feed or care for a wild baby deer unless you are a licensed wildlife rehabilitator; intervention can do more harm than good. If you find a fawn that appears abandoned, observe it from a distance, and contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator instead.
The allure of a wide-eyed fawn alone in the woods can be overwhelming, sparking a desire to nurture and protect. However, what do you feed a wild baby deer? is a question best answered with caution. Before intervening, it’s crucial to understand the potential harm misguided care can inflict. This comprehensive guide aims to equip you with the necessary knowledge to make responsible decisions when encountering a seemingly abandoned fawn, emphasizing when and how to seek professional assistance.
Understanding Fawn Behavior and When to Intervene
Mother deer, or does, often leave their fawns alone for extended periods, returning only a few times a day to nurse. This behavior is a natural defense mechanism, as the mother’s scent could attract predators to the vulnerable fawn. Therefore, finding a fawn alone does not automatically mean it has been abandoned.
Here’s a breakdown to help you assess the situation:
- Signs of Abandonment or Distress:
- Visible injuries (bleeding, broken limbs).
- The fawn is visibly emaciated or weak.
- The fawn is crying incessantly for a prolonged period.
- The fawn is covered in flies or fly eggs (a sign of neglect or injury).
- The fawn is in a clearly unsafe location (e.g., near a busy road).
- Signs of Normal Behavior:
- The fawn is lying quietly curled up.
- The fawn appears healthy and alert (even if alone).
- The fawn’s coat is clean and well-groomed.
Observe the fawn from a distance (using binoculars if necessary) for at least 24 hours, without approaching it. The mother will likely return if left undisturbed.
Why Human Intervention Is Often Harmful
While your intentions may be noble, attempting to feed a wild baby deer without the proper knowledge and resources can be detrimental to its health and survival. Here’s why:
- Incorrect Diet: Cow’s milk or other human foods can cause severe digestive problems, even death, in fawns. Deer have highly specialized digestive systems.
- Imprinting: Raising a fawn without its mother can cause it to imprint on humans, making it difficult for it to survive in the wild. An imprinted fawn will lose its natural fear of humans, making it vulnerable to poachers and cars.
- Disease Transmission: Handling wildlife poses a risk of transmitting diseases between humans and animals.
- Legal Restrictions: In many areas, it is illegal to possess or care for wild animals without a permit.
Contacting a Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator
If, after careful observation, you determine that a fawn is genuinely abandoned or injured, your first step should be to contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. These professionals have the expertise, resources, and legal permits to provide the necessary care.
Finding a rehabilitator:
- State Wildlife Agency: Your state’s wildlife agency can provide a list of licensed rehabilitators in your area.
- Humane Societies and Animal Shelters: Local humane societies or animal shelters may be able to connect you with a rehabilitator.
- Wildlife Rehabilitation Organizations: National organizations like the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association (NWRA) can offer resources and referrals.
If You Must Handle a Fawn Before Professional Help Arrives
While it’s always best to avoid handling a fawn, there may be situations where it’s unavoidable (e.g., moving it out of immediate danger). If you must handle a fawn:
- Wear gloves: This protects both you and the fawn from potential disease transmission.
- Minimize handling: Keep the interaction brief and gentle.
- Keep it warm: Wrap the fawn in a soft towel or blanket. Use a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel if the temperature is cold, but do not place directly on the fawn.
- Do not feed it: As reiterated, do not attempt to feed a wild baby deer anything.
The Rehabilitation Process
Wildlife rehabilitators follow a strict protocol for caring for orphaned or injured fawns. This typically involves:
- Veterinary Assessment: The fawn receives a thorough examination to assess its health and any injuries.
- Specialized Formula: Rehabilitators use specialized milk replacers formulated specifically for deer. These formulas mimic the composition of doe’s milk and provide the necessary nutrients.
- Gradual Weaning: As the fawn grows, it is gradually introduced to solid foods, such as browse (leaves and twigs) and deer pellets.
- Minimizing Human Contact: Rehabilitators strive to minimize human contact to prevent imprinting. Fawns are typically raised in groups with other fawns to promote natural social behaviors.
- Release: Once the fawn is healthy and self-sufficient, it is released back into a suitable habitat.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many well-intentioned individuals make mistakes when trying to help fawns. Avoid these common pitfalls:
- Assuming a fawn is abandoned: Patience and observation are key.
- Feeding the fawn cow’s milk or other inappropriate foods: This can be fatal.
- Keeping the fawn as a pet: This is illegal and detrimental to the fawn’s well-being.
- Releasing the fawn into an unfamiliar area: The fawn should be released in or near the area where it was found (if safe) or in a suitable habitat recommended by a rehabilitator.
| Mistake | Consequence | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| ———————- | —————————————————————– | ——————————————————————————– |
| Feeding cow’s milk | Digestive upset, malnutrition, death | Contact a rehabilitator for specialized formula |
| Excessive handling | Imprinting, stress, disease transmission | Minimize contact, wear gloves, let professionals handle the fawn |
| Keeping as a pet | Illegal, detrimental to fawn’s well-being, compromises release | Contact a rehabilitator, understand the complexities of wildlife rehabilitation |
| Releasing in wrong area | Decreased chances of survival, unfamiliar environment | Release in original location or a location approved by a rehabilitator |
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of milk is safe to feed a wild baby deer?
Under no circumstances should you give a fawn cow’s milk. Instead, allow professionals to handle the situation, since wildlife rehabilitators use specialized milk replacers formulated for deer. These contain crucial nutrients for proper development and digestion.
How do I tell if a fawn is truly orphaned?
Observe the fawn from a distance for at least 24 hours. Signs of true abandonment include visible injuries, emaciation, persistent crying, and being covered in flies. Avoid approaching unless these signs are present.
Can I raise a fawn myself if I am careful?
Raising a fawn requires specialized knowledge, resources, and permits. It is illegal in many jurisdictions to possess wild animals without proper authorization. Furthermore, human intervention can have negative impact for the fawn’s wellbeing. Contact a licensed rehabilitator, as these trained professionals have the tools and support to safely care for the animal.
What should I do if I accidentally touch a fawn? Will the mother reject it?
The myth that a mother deer will reject her fawn if it smells like humans is generally untrue. However, to be cautious, wear gloves if you must handle a fawn, and minimize contact.
How often do mother deer feed their fawns?
Does typically feed their fawns only a few times a day, often at dawn and dusk. They leave them alone for extended periods to avoid attracting predators. Thus, seeing a fawn alone is common and rarely a cause for concern.
Is it illegal to feed wild deer?
In many areas, feeding wild deer is illegal or discouraged. It can lead to overpopulation, disease transmission, and dependence on humans. Allow the deer to forage naturally and to receive expert care if needed.
How can I protect a fawn from predators in my yard?
If you know a fawn is in your yard, keep pets indoors or on leashes. Remove any attractants, such as pet food or fallen fruit. However, remember that predators are a natural part of the ecosystem, and completely eliminating them is not feasible or desirable.
What is imprinting, and why is it bad for fawns?
Imprinting is a process by which young animals learn to identify with and follow their parents or caregivers. When fawns imprint on humans, they lose their natural fear of humans and become dependent on them, making it difficult to survive in the wild.
What is the best habitat for releasing a rehabilitated fawn?
The best habitat is one that is similar to the fawn’s original habitat and offers access to food, water, and shelter. A licensed wildlife rehabilitator can help you choose an appropriate release location.
How long does it take for a fawn to be independent?
Fawns typically become independent at around 4-6 months of age. During this time, they learn to forage for food and navigate their environment.
What are the signs of a healthy fawn?
A healthy fawn is alert, active, and has a clean, well-groomed coat. It should be able to stand and walk normally and have a healthy appetite (if being cared for by a rehabilitator).
If I am certain I can provide a better life for a fawn than it would have in the wild, can I keep it?
Even with good intentions, the complexities of meeting a wild animal’s needs are best left to professionals. Licensed wildlife rehabilitators are uniquely positioned to handle delicate interventions and, even more importantly, to avoid unnecessary meddling. Always contact your local authorities and licensed professionals before doing anything to assist the wildlife in your area.