Deer fawn in paddock
Advice Hub

Fawn rearing — trusted by New Zealand deer farmers.

Milligans Multi Milk Replacer (MMR) has been used by New Zealand deer farmers for fawn rearing for many years — a reliable formula available in 20kg, 10kg, 5kg and 2kg to suit any scale of deer operation.

Colostrum

Fawns must receive hind colostrum as soon as possible after birth. The absorption window is short. If hind colostrum is unavailable, contact your vet for guidance.

Feeding

Fawns are sensitive animals and rearing success is closely tied to calm, low-stress feeding management — particularly in the first days of life.

Mix Milligans MMR at 38–40°C. Introduce gently — fawns can be slow to accept bottle feeding initially. Patience and a quiet approach make the biggest difference. Once established on the bottle, feeding generally becomes straightforward.

[Mixing rates and feeding schedule for fawns — from nutritionist team, or direct farmers to contact our team]

Top Tips

  1. Minimise stress above all else. Fawns are highly stress-sensitive. Loud noises, sudden movements, proximity to dogs and handling by multiple people should all be minimised in the first week. A calm handler and a quiet environment are your most important tools.
  2. Keep detailed records. Note birth weight, daily intake and any condition changes. Early identification of a fawn going backwards allows you to intervene before the situation becomes serious.
  3. Warm feeds every time. 38–40°C without fail. Cold feeds cause digestive upset and reduce intake — costly in a young fawn.
  4. House away from dogs and loud activity. Background stress affects growth and immunity even when a fawn appears settled.
  5. Seek advice early. If a fawn is not feeding well in the first 24–48 hours, contact your vet or an experienced deer farmer promptly. Don't wait.

Contact Our Team

For advice on fawn rearing with Milligans products, call us on 0800 STOCKFEED.