Deer fawns rely heavily on their mothers’ milk for growth and development during their initial weeks of life. This early nursing period provides essential nutrients and protective antibodies, establishing a foundation for their rapid growth and eventual independence.
How Long Deer Nurse Their Young
The nursing period for deer fawns varies depending on the species, but for common types like white-tailed deer, it typically lasts around 3 to 4 months. Fawns are born weighing between 4 to 8 pounds and can double their birth weight in about two weeks, primarily due to their mother’s rich milk. This milk is packed with fat, sugar, and protein, which are essential for their rapid growth.
While the average nursing duration is several months, some fawns may continue to nurse intermittently for longer, sometimes up to 20 weeks. Factors such as the doe’s health, the availability of food sources in the environment, and the specific deer species can influence how long a fawn nurses. The initial milk, known as colostrum, is important as it provides antibodies that build the fawn’s immune system.
The Weaning Process
Weaning for deer fawns is a gradual transition rather than an abrupt halt to milk consumption. While fawns rely exclusively on milk for the first two weeks, they begin to nibble on tender vegetation. This early browsing is more for exploration and learning than for significant nutrition.
As fawns mature, their digestive system, specifically the rumen, develops to handle plant matter. The intake of solid food steadily increases, and they become more skilled at foraging.
Even after they start eating solid food consistently, fawns may continue to nurse alongside their mother, gradually decreasing their milk intake until fully weaned, usually between 10 to 16 weeks old.
A Fawn’s Post-Nursing Diet
Once fawns are fully weaned, their diet shifts entirely to plant-based foods. They are herbivores and will consume a variety of vegetation available in their habitat. Their diet commonly includes tender leaves, shoots, and forbs, which are broad-leaved herbaceous plants.
As seasons change, so does the fawns’ diet. In the fall, they may consume acorns and other mast (nuts and fruits) to build fat reserves for the colder months when green vegetation becomes scarce. Fawns learn which plants are safe and nutritious by observing their mothers and other deer.
Distinguishing a Healthy Fawn
Encountering a fawn alone in the wild is common, and often, it does not mean the fawn is abandoned. Mother deer frequently leave their fawns hidden in tall grass or dense vegetation for extended periods while they forage, sometimes for several hours. This behavior is a defense mechanism, as young fawns have very little scent and rely on camouflage and stillness to avoid predators.
A healthy fawn will typically be curled up quietly and still.
Signs that might indicate a fawn needs help include continuous crying or bleating for many hours, visible injuries like broken bones or open wounds, or appearing weak and unable to stand. Other signs of distress can include a large amount of fly eggs or maggots, or if the fawn’s ears are curled down, which may indicate dehydration. If these signs are present, contacting local wildlife authorities or a licensed wildlife rehabilitator is advisable.