When most people think of deer they think of Bambi and other woodland creatures existing off a diet of grass nuts berries and leaves. We picture them nibbling daintily on foliage munching contentedly on a mouthful of greenery. It turns out that what deer eat depends on the species the time of year and availability of food sources. White-tailed deer for example are known to eat around600 different types of plants.
During the fawning season (May-July) does (female deer) are feeding their babies almost exclusively on milk. A doe can produce up to 12% of her body weight in milk each day and fawns will drink around 4 pints (1.8 litres) per day. The milk is very rich and contains around 12% fat.
After the fawning season fawns will start to eat solid food but they will still drink milk for the first few months of life. From around 3-4 months old fawns will start to eat more solid food and they will be fully weaned by 6 months old.
So what do fawns eat? Deer are primarily herbivores so their diet consists mostly of plants. In the wild fawns will eat whatever plants are available depending on the time of year and the region they live in. In captivity however fawns need to be fed a diet that closely resembles their natural diet. This means providing them with a variety of fresh green vegetation.
The best way to provide a fawn with the vegetation they need is to grow it yourself. This way you can be sure that the plants are free from pesticides and other chemicals. You will need to grow a variety of different plants as different plants contain different nutrients. A good mix of plants to grow for a fawn includes:
-Grasses
-Clover
-Alfalfa
-Dandelions
-Cabbage
-Spinach
-Turnips
Of course you can’t just let your fawn loose in the garden to graze. Fawns are delicate creatures and they need to be introduced to solid food gradually. For the first few weeks you should mix the chopped up vegetation with the fawn’s milk until they are used to the taste and texture. You can then start to offer the food to them dry.
It is important to chop the vegetation into small pieces as fawns have small mouths and digestive systems. If the pieces are too big they could choke or get an obstruction.
As well as fresh vegetation fawns also need to consume hay. Hay is a dried form of grass and it is an essential part of a fawn’s diet. Hay provides essential nutrients as well as acting as a source of fibre. It is important to choose a hay that is high in fibre as this will help to keep the fawn’s digestive system healthy.
Fawns also need to drink fresh water. You should provide them with a clean fresh water source at all times. A bowl or trough is fine but it is important to clean it out regularly to prevent the water from going stale.
Supplementing a fawn’s diet with vitamins and minerals is also important. This is because a fawn’s diet in the wild would contain a variety of different plants each with their own unique nutrient profile. In captivity however fawns are likely to be eating the same plants day in and day out. This can lead to deficiencies if they are not getting the full range of nutrients they need.
A good way to ensure that a fawn is getting all the vitamins and minerals they need is to supplement their diet with a high-quality deer mineral block. These blocks contain a wide range of essential nutrients and they are designed to be eaten as part of a normal diet.
Deer mineral blocks are available from most pet stores and they are a great way to ensure that your fawn is getting the nutrients they need. Just remember to give them access to fresh water at all times as they will need to drink more when they are eating a lot of dry food.
When it comes to feeding a baby deer it is important to provide them with a diet that closely resembles their natural diet. This means offering a variety of fresh green vegetation as well as hay and fresh water. You should also supplement their diet with a high-quality deer mineral block to ensure they are getting all the nutrients they need.
What is the best food to feed a baby deer?
The best food to feed a baby deer is milk.
Deer milk is very nutritious and will help the deer to grow and develop properly.
How often should a baby deer be fed?
A baby deer should be fed every two to three hours.
How much milk should a baby deer drink each feeding?
A baby deer should drink about eight ounces of milk each feeding.
What other food can a baby deer eat besides milk?
A baby deer can eat plants fruits and vegetables.
When can a baby deer start to eat solid food?
A baby deer can start to eat solid food when it is about six weeks old.
What type of plants can a baby deer eat?
A baby deer can eat leaves grass and twigs.
What type of fruits can a baby deer eat?
A baby deer can eat apples bananas and grapes.
What type of vegetables can a baby deer eat?
A baby deer can eat carrots celery and potatoes.
How much solid food should a baby deer eat each day?
A baby deer should eat about two to four pounds of solid food each day.
What happens if a baby deer does not eat enough food?
If a baby deer does not eat enough food it will not grow and develop properly.
What happens if a baby deer eats too much food?
If a baby deer eats too much food it could become sick or obese.
What should you do if you find a baby deer?
If you find a baby deer the best thing to do is to leave it alone.
If the mother deer is nearby she will take care of it.
If you take the baby deer it will not have a good chance of survival.
Can a baby deer survive without its mother?
A baby deer cannot survive without its mother.
The mother deer provides the baby with milk and food and also protects it from predators.
What is the average lifespan of a deer?
The average lifespan of a deer is about 10 to 12 years.
What are the biggest threats to deer?
The biggest threats to deer are humans automobiles and predators such as wolves coyotes and bears.
