» FAWN NUTRITION
nuTriTion oF
FAWnS BirTH To WEAning By Michael L. Schlegel phD, pAS, Dipl. ACAS-nutrition Sr. nutritionist, Wildlife and Small ruminant Technical innovation purina Animal nutrition LLC
Newborn fawns represent the start of a new generation, genetic improvement, and the future. Since there has been an investment in the doe and the buck, it is important to get fawns off to a positive start to see that return. The nutrition of fawns starts with the doe even before fawns are born during the last third of pregnancy and continues and through lactation. Two additional items to a successful fawn program include colostrum consumption and getting fawns started on feed. The greatest amount of fawn fetal growth rate occurs during the last third of pregnancy with approximately 67% of the birth weight gained during this period. Does that are malnourished during the last third of pregnancy will have fawns that are smaller and weigh less than if they received an adequate plane of nutrition. After fawns are born, one of the most critical management practices is to ensure that fawns consume colostrum within the first 24-36 hours after birth to provide passive immunity (the transfer of antibodies from the doe to the fawn). Fawns will typically nurse 36 minutes after birth. If a doe rejects a fawn, colostrum replacers can be used to provide antibodies, but nothing is better than the doe’s colostrum. Fawns with greater immunoglobulins (antibodies) at 24 hours after birth had greater CONTINUED ON PAGE 38» 36
North American Deer Farmer
nADeFA.org
Spring 2020
