Raising black-tailed deer fawns at natural growth rates

Abstract

Black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus) fawns were successfully hand-raised on a formula of whole cow's milk and lamb milk replacer. No dietary gastrointestinal disorders occurred. Feeding schedules and milk volumes were based on both age and weight of the animals. Growth rates of these bottle-raised fawns to 25 days of age (consuming primarily milk) and body weights following weaning at 105 days of age were not significantly different from those of maternally nursed offspring.