Dam-raised fawns, an alternative to bottle feeding

Authors

Kathrin M. Olson-Rutz, Utah State University
Philip J. Urness, Utah State University
Laura A. Urness, Utah State University

Abstract

Rearing young ungulates for ecological studies is costly and time consuming. Doe-rearing mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) fawns is a viable alternative to the common method of bottle-feeding. Fawns tamed while nurtured by their tractable dams showed no marked difference in tractability over bottle-reared orphans. The advantages of doe-rearing are better health for the young and convenience for the handler.

Recommended Citation

Olson-Rutz, Kathrin M.; Urness, Philip J.; and Urness, Laura A. (1986) "Dam-raised fawns, an alternative to bottle feeding," Great Basin Naturalist: Vol. 46: No. 2, Article 5.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/gbn/vol46/iss2/5