The deer is about 6 months old and still has it's spots. We found it tangled in a vine and very weak. We live on a farm and have nursed it on cow's milk (the natural kind, not the store bought kind) and have let it eat some grain. It's standing now and is attentive. For the short time we will have it, what do we feed it to get it strong enough to survive in the wild on its own?
2006-09-17 14:05:22 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
I've had two deer that have been raised from babies because of "tractor or farming" accidents, so they were babies and sick/hurt....goat milk is good for them - never tried the cows milk also you can get a feed mixture at your local co-op for after the milk age, then a feed also with hay or fresh grass clippings, also both of our deer loved loaf bread if they are old enough/healthy enough to eat and digest it. Also if its six months old when it does get better it will be way too strong to try to keep pinned up - if it still Had spots it may not be quite that old - if letting humans touch it, it may never survive in the wild again you may have to keep as a pet
2006-09-17 15:25:52 · answer #1 · answered by kim 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Call your local Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission or Animal Control Officer. They will know not only the name and phone numbers of the wildlife rehabilitators in the area, but will often transport the animal to them. You should have done that from the very beginning. The good news is that It's not too late to do it now.
Wildlife rehabilitators often get fawns and adult deer just before deer hunting season - and of course, during. Adding the one you have to others of his kind will improve the rehabilitation success rate greatly, as they can all be released together - as a herd.
Do it soon.
2006-09-17 14:43:41 · answer #2 · answered by north79004487 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since you have cattle feed it the same food or at least offer cow feed. The nutrients should be enough to keep up it's system until the vet or animal control comes and the sweet smell will seem appealing.
Don't worry if it hardly eats it is obviously going to be scared to death during the night as long as it is standing and looks healthy it should be fine for a day or two with just milk.
2006-09-17 14:08:52 · answer #3 · answered by Answerkeeper 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
You need to contact a wildlife rehab. Although it is great that you saved her (for sake of giving it a gender, I'm saying her) and she is doing fine, but to legally possess her, you need a license and a rehabilitator has just what she needs. Not only that, they have the experience of rehabbing and setting free. Too much human contact could be bad for her survival.
Don't get me wrong, I would love to be in your shoes right now - they are gorgeous creatures. Unfortunately, the best thing for everyone is to have her placed in a wildlife rehab where experience counts. Not only that, but they have their own wildlife vets that can check her over and maybe even dose it with a pen injection just in case of infection and even check it for parasites. Good luck.
2006-09-17 14:14:20 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
If you call animal control or wild life center they will have to put the animal down. Because of CWD (cronic wasting disease) deer are no longer able to be rehabed. I would recomend grain and whole milk. I also recomend limiting your contact with the animal. The more use to humans it is, the less chance it will have of surviving out in the wild.
2006-09-17 14:19:09 · answer #5 · answered by jelly 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Call state wildlife agency - they have jurisdiction. You could get in trouble for keeping it even with intent to release. You also run the risk of the animal bonding with humans and being at risk later. Let the people who know what to do handle it.
2006-09-17 14:16:58 · answer #6 · answered by Skeff 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You need to call the animal control department for help since this may be illegal to keep a wild animal. Plus, it needs to be somewhere where professionals can raise it to be able to survive in the wild eventually.
2006-09-17 14:09:21 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
You don't it's illegal to keep a wild animal call the wildlife and fisheries department or call the sheriffs department and they will get in contact for you.. It is a huge fine in some places to keep the deer.
2006-09-17 17:52:52 · answer #8 · answered by dakittenizcozmic 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Wildlife is delicate and need to be cared for differently than our cats and dogs. I know you want to help, but, if you know of a local wildlife rehabilitator or a vet that is able to work with wildlife in your area, please call them. I know it is late on a Sunday night so someone may be hard to find, and I don't know what state you live in.
Try these sites:
www.nwrawildlife.org
www.ncwildliferehab.org
wildliferehabber.com
www.epa.qld.au/nature
www.genesis.wildlife.org/care
I don't know anything about these sites, they were just a quick look up, good luck to you.
2006-09-17 14:16:55 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because it is from the wild that is where it would need to be returned ASAP once better. GOOD JOB I like hearing stories such as yours. It is so nice to know that there are persons who Preserve Wild Life. I hope it gets to the point where it can survive on its own or finds family/mother. take care
2006-09-17 14:43:00 · answer #10 · answered by sweettoni37 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋