Finding a fawn is a touching experience, but it's crucial to understand that interfering with a healthy, wild deer is generally not recommended. However, if you've found an orphaned or injured fawn, providing proper nutrition after weaning is critical for its survival. This guide will help you understand what to feed a fawn after weaning, emphasizing the importance of mimicking its natural diet and seeking professional veterinary advice.
It's vital to remember that this information is for educational purposes only. Attempting to raise a wild animal is challenging and requires significant expertise. Contacting a licensed wildlife rehabilitator is always the best course of action. They possess the knowledge and resources to provide the proper care, including specialized diets and medical attention.
What Does a Fawn Naturally Eat After Weaning?
Before diving into supplemental feeding, let's understand a fawn's natural diet after it weans from its mother's milk. Around 3-4 months old, fawns start to transition to a diet primarily consisting of:
- Forbs: These are non-woody flowering plants, offering a rich source of nutrients.
- Grasses: Various types of grasses make up a significant portion of their diet.
- Legumes: Plants like clover and alfalfa provide valuable protein.
- Browse: Young twigs and leaves of shrubs and trees become increasingly important as they grow.
- Fruits and Berries (seasonally): These are supplemental sources of energy and nutrients.
What Should You Feed an Orphaned or Injured Fawn?
If you absolutely must care for a fawn, you should contact a wildlife rehabilitator immediately. They will guide you on the best course of action. However, if immediate assistance isn't available, understanding what to provide temporarily is crucial. Never offer cow's milk. It's inappropriate for fawn digestion and can cause serious health issues.
Temporary Feeding Options (ONLY under expert guidance):
- Goat milk replacer: This is often used as a temporary substitute for a mother's milk, but only a wildlife rehabilitator can determine its suitability and the appropriate dilution.
- High-quality commercial fawn formula: If available and recommended by a professional, these formulas are formulated to mimic the nutritional profile of a mother's milk.
What to Avoid Feeding a Fawn:
Feeding a fawn the wrong foods can have fatal consequences. Avoid:
- Cow's milk: As mentioned, it’s highly detrimental to their digestive system.
- Dog or cat food: These are not designed for deer and lack essential nutrients.
- Bread, pastries, or other human foods: These offer little nutritional value and can cause digestive problems.
- Certain plants: Some plants are toxic to deer; avoid feeding anything you aren't 100% certain is safe.
How Often Should You Feed a Fawn?
Feeding frequency depends on the fawn's age, health, and the type of food. A wildlife rehabilitator will provide specific instructions based on the fawn’s individual needs. Overfeeding can be as detrimental as underfeeding.
How to Introduce Solid Foods to a Weaned Fawn?
Gradual transition to solid foods is essential. Start with small quantities of finely chopped forbs and grasses, gradually increasing the amount and introducing other food types as tolerated.
What if the Fawn is Sick or Injured?
If the fawn displays any signs of illness or injury (lethargy, diarrhea, wounds), contact a wildlife rehabilitator immediately. Professional veterinary care is crucial.
What About Supplements?
Supplements should only be administered under the strict guidance of a wildlife rehabilitator or veterinarian experienced in treating deer.
Can I Release the Fawn Back into the Wild?
Releasing a fawn back into the wild requires careful planning and expertise from a wildlife rehabilitator. They will assess the fawn's health and ability to survive independently before releasing it.
Remember, the best approach is always to contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. They have the necessary experience and resources to provide the appropriate care and ensure the fawn's survival and eventual release back into its natural habitat.
