Meet the Axis!

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Axis (or chital) are a beautiful shiny red/rust colored deer with white spots and black points. They are native to India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka and have since been introduced to the United States. They are considered an invasive species as they have come to thrive and push some of the native wildlife out. They are legally allowed to by hunted in Texas year round. Axis males are slightly larger than females and grow antlers while females are slightly smaller and do not grow antlers. Males will naturally drop their antlers after rutting and regrow their next pair. Axis can breed year round and have their fawns after approximately seven and a half months. They usually have a single fawn, but twins are possible. The axis we have here at our ranch are used specifically to form calm herds that are easy to handle. We bottle raise the majority of our babies. This enables us to be able to easily work around them, treat them if they become ill, minimize stress, monitor their condition, and overall enjoy them! The axis here love certain kinds of horse treats and fruits, but their favorite is animal crackers. They spend all day grazing out in their pasture and return to the safety of the barn for the evening. Our livestock guardian dogs accompany them at all times to protect them from stray dogs, coyotes, or anything that could cause them harm. Deer are flight animals which makes them very high risk for running into an object or fence fleeing from danger. The livestock guardian dogs are literally lifesavers and the deer have learned to trust them and rely on them.