Fawn. Just Born.

This is 'Fawn Season' on Wondeerful Farm, little ones start popping up everywhere.

In New Zealand, December is the first month of summer.

We're very excited to share with you this story. It's under construction and will soon be updated with more pictures and text. But meanwhile, why don't we have an actual look at this little fella, who was just delivered minutes, not hours ago.

Same fawn, some pictures:

The newborn is all bone and muscle, but surprisingly strong, because when we had to move some around they can sometimes try and free themselves, giving surprisingly strong push.

Another fawn in the middle of the paddock, sleeping like a baby, couldn't be bothered by any noises around him.

This little baby deer has just realised he's being watched. 'Who's there? I better run to mama!'

Deer behavior during fawn season.

Expectant mothers become a little more cautious, and new mothers can be aggressive if something/somebody they distrust is approaching their baby. They can stomp, run towards the danger or attack with their hooves. That being said, deer are prey animals and seem to be aware their powers are limited, so mothers will also often choose to flee, leaving the fawn behind.

Newborns spend a lot of time lying down in the grass, sleeping. If disturbed, they may choose to run or freeze in position.

Deer mothers, like many human ones, have to 'go to work', only deer's main job is having a varied diet: browse for different kinds of vegetation. They come back to feed their children several times a day. That's why, if you stumble upon an 'abandoned' fawn, chacnes are its not, mother is not far away, she'll come looking for her baby soon. Do not touch the fawn as it can leave your scent on it or send the little animal into a panic mode.

Finally, look at this cute little guy amongst older deer:

Update, January 2022: A few days earlier, Big Mama has had her fawn, which is a bit later than most. He hangs around her pretty much all the time. Currently the smallest one on the farm:

Last modified 2022-11-29 at 23:10